Average
#454 of 603 schools in MT
Creston School
Elementary School · Creston Elem
4495 Montana 35, Kalispell, MT 59901
Enrollment
104
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
104
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kalispell
#18 of 22
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#245 of 319
Academic performance
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Creston School
Creston School stands out as one of Montana's top-performing elementary schools, serving 104 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in rural Kalispell. With an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranking 24th among Montana's 605 schools, Creston consistently delivers strong academic outcomes for its students. The school's intimate learning environment features a favorable 10.4-to-1 student-teacher ratio with 10 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and support.
Students demonstrate solid academic achievement, with 62% reaching proficiency or above in mathematics and 52% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels tested. Located at 4495 Montana 35, Creston serves families in the 59901 area, where the median household income is $67,936 and median home value is $371,600. The community shows a commitment to education, with 31% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 9.9%.
As a regular public school, Creston provides a strong educational foundation in a close-knit academic community. The school's rural setting in Flathead County offers students a peaceful learning environment while maintaining access to the broader Kalispell community of over 60,000 residents.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 104 students, Creston School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Creston School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Creston School — Students at Creston School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.2/10.
How Creston School Compares
See how Creston School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
4495 Montana 35, Kalispell, MT 59901
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Creston School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fair-Mont-Egan School (rated 8.9/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Deer Park School (rated 8.1/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Columbia Falls), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Evergreen School (rated 6.8/10, 6.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 5.9 |
| Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell | 2.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell | 3.9 mi | 8.9 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell | 3.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Deer Park School Columbia Falls | 7.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls | 7.2 mi | 4.8 |
| East Evergreen School Kalispell | 6.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Somers Middle School Somers | 8.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Helena Flats School Kalispell | 7.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell | 7.1 mi | 3.9 |
| VALLEY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 7.5 mi | — |
| Bigfork Elementary Bigfork | 9.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Bigfork 7-8 Bigfork | 9.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Bigfork High School Bigfork | 9.1 mi | 6.3 |
| STILLWATER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 6.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Swan River School Bigfork | 8.2 mi | 3.0 |
| Swan River 6-8 Bigfork | 8.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Evergreen Junior High Kalispell | 6.9 mi | 6.2 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Creston School has a median household income of $70,391. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $417,200, with a median rent of $1,052/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cascade School Cascade, MT | 5.3 |
| F E Miley School Big Sandy, MT | 5.3 |
| Broadview School Broadview, MT | 5.2 |
| Shields Valley Elementary Clyde Park, MT | 5.2 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Lincoln, MT | 5.1 |
| Lodge Pole School Hays, MT | 5.1 |
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 is ranked #454 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Creston School's MySchoolScout rating?
Creston School has a composite rating of 5.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Creston School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Creston School has 67.0% math proficiency and 63.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,532/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kalispell). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (406) 755-2859
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Creston Elem- District Enrollment
- 104
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $8,967
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.