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Excellent

#63 of 603 schools in MT

Top 10% in state

Creston School

Elementary School · Creston Elem

4495 Montana 35, Kalispell, MT 59901

Enrollment

104

Student-Teacher

10.4:1

Score

8.3

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#63 of 603

In Kalispell

#1 of 22

public schools

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Creston School

8.3/10

Elementary School in Kalispell · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cayuse Prairie School

6.2/10

2.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Cayuse Prairie 7-8

6.6/10

2.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Creston School

Creston School is a public elementary school in Kalispell, MT, part of Creston Elem. Creston School serves approximately 104 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Creston School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #63 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Creston School show 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.8 pts above MT schools
  • This school 8.3 · Excellent
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 104 students, Creston School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Creston School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.01 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)53% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
Resources & Environment6.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,967
Chronic Absenteeism27.9%

Creston School — Students at Creston School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 71.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 77.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 24 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
74.5%
ELA
95%
2010
Math
74.5%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
74.5%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2015
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2016
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2017
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2018
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2019
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2020*
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
52%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.1/10.

How Creston School Compares

See how Creston School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.3/10
90th percentile in MT
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
6.0/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.9%

Location

4495 Montana 35, Kalispell, MT 59901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Creston School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Deer Park School (rated 8.5/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Columbia Falls), with a very similar rating. Another option is East Evergreen School (rated 7.5/10, 6.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Cayuse Prairie School (rated 6.2/10, 2.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Kalispell, see our Kalispell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Cayuse Prairie School Kalispell 2.6 mi 6.2
Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell 2.6 mi 6.6
Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell 3.9 mi 5.9
Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell 3.9 mi 5.6
Deer Park School Columbia Falls 7.2 mi 8.5
Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls 7.2 mi 7.4
East Evergreen School Kalispell 6.1 mi 7.5
Somers Middle School Somers 8.0 mi 8.1
Helena Flats School Kalispell 7.1 mi 4.3
Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell 7.1 mi 4.8
VALLEY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell 7.5 mi
Bigfork Elementary Bigfork 9.1 mi 5.8
Bigfork 7-8 Bigfork 9.1 mi 6.0
Bigfork High School Bigfork 9.1 mi 6.6
STILLWATER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell 6.7 mi 5.6
Swan River School Bigfork 8.2 mi 3.3
Swan River 6-8 Bigfork 8.2 mi 6.2
Evergreen Junior High Kalispell 6.9 mi 6.3
KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell 6.9 mi 4.6
WOODLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kalispell 7.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,391

Median Home Value

$417,200

Median Rent

$1,052/mo

Population

61,710

College Educated

32.6%

Homeownership

72%

Avg Commute

18.1 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

39.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
PRETTY EAGLE CTHLC SCHL Saint Xavier, MT 8.3
F E Miley School Big Sandy, MT 8.4
Rau School Sidney, MT 8.4
Deer Park School Columbia Falls, MT 8.5
Gallatin Gateway School Gallatin Gateway, MT 8.5
Bissell School Whitefish, MT 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Creston School

What grades does Creston School serve?

Creston School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Creston School?

Creston School has an enrollment of approximately 104 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Creston School?

The student-teacher ratio at Creston School is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Creston School rank in MT?

Creston School ranks #63 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Creston School's MySchoolScout rating?

Creston School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Creston School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Creston School has 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Creston School a charter school?

No, Creston School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Creston School a Title I school?

No, Creston School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
104
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Flathead County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.9%

District

Creston Elem
District Enrollment
104
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,967
District Rank
#1 of 1

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