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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

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 metrics
Student Progress3.2Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,181

Creston School — Students at Creston School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 67.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
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: 3.2/10.

How Creston School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
25th percentile in MT
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
3.2/10
Below average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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