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Below Average

#508 of 603 schools in MT

Deer Park 6-8

Middle School · Deer Park Elem

2105 Middle Road, Columbia Falls, MT 59912

Enrollment

46

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

4.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Columbia Falls

#5 of 6

public schools

Montana middle schools

#113 of 143

In district

#2 of 2

Deer Park Elem

Academic performance

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Deer Park 6-8

Deer Park 6-8 serves 46 middle school students in grades 6 through 8 in Columbia Falls, Montana, earning an impressive 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. This small public school ranks 70th out of 605 Montana schools, placing it in the 89th percentile statewide with a strong 9.2 out of 10 academic score. With just 3 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention.

Academic performance shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 74% of students score proficient or above across all grade levels. Mathematics shows room for growth, with 44% of students achieving proficiency. The school draws from a stable community in the 59912 ZIP code area, where the median household income reaches $69,403 and the poverty rate remains low at 8.1%.

Local families have invested in the area, with median home values of $361,600, while 28% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Located on Middle Road in rural Flathead County, Deer Park 6-8 offers students a small-school environment where individual attention and close relationships with teachers can flourish. The rural setting provides a peaceful backdrop for learning in one of Montana's most scenic regions.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 46 students, Deer Park 6-8 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, Deer Park 6-8 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 Progress2.7Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.5%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,657

Deer Park 6-8 — Students at Deer Park 6-8 score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

6.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 56.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 79.7%
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
69.5%
ELA
90%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
74.5%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How Deer Park 6-8 Compares

See how Deer Park 6-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
16th percentile in MT
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
2.7/10
Below average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
7%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

Location

2105 Middle Road, Columbia Falls, MT 59912

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Deer Park 6-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School (rated 8.1/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cayuse Prairie 7-8 (rated 7.5/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Evergreen Junior High (rated 6.2/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia Falls, see our Columbia Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Deer Park School Columbia Falls 0.0 mi 8.1
Columbia Falls High Schl Columbia Falls 5.3 mi 5.8
Ruder Elementary Columbia Falls 5.2 mi 5.4
Columbia Falls Jr HS Columbia Falls 5.3 mi 5.4
Cayuse Prairie School Kalispell 5.1 mi 5.9
Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell 5.1 mi 7.5
VALLEY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell 4.0 mi
Glacier Gateway Elem Columbia Falls 5.8 mi 4.6
Helena Flats School Kalispell 4.5 mi 4.2
Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell 4.5 mi 3.9
East Evergreen School Kalispell 5.8 mi 6.8
Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell 6.8 mi 8.9
Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell 6.8 mi 8.1
Creston School Kalispell 7.2 mi 5.3
Evergreen Junior High Kalispell 6.7 mi 6.2
Edgerton School Kalispell 7.6 mi 7.1
KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell 8.6 mi 4.6
WOODLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kalispell 8.6 mi
STILLWATER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell 9.5 mi 5.6
Cornelius Hedges School Kalispell 9.1 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59912 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,515

Median Home Value

$438,000

Median Rent

$1,052/mo

Population

15,745

College Educated

30.7%

Homeownership

77.4%

Avg Commute

21.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.8%

Median Age

41

Community Profile

The community surrounding Deer Park 6-8 has a median household income of $73,515. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $438,000, with a median rent of $1,052/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Box Elder 7-8 Box Elder, MT 4.7
Smith Valley 7-8 Kalispell, MT 4.7
KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell, MT 4.6
Superior 7-8 Superior, MT 4.5
Alberton Middle School Alberton, MT 4.3
DeSmet 6-8 Missoula, MT 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Deer Park 6-8

What grades does Deer Park 6-8 serve?

Deer Park 6-8 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Deer Park 6-8?

Deer Park 6-8 has an enrollment of approximately 46 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Deer Park 6-8?

The student-teacher ratio at Deer Park 6-8 is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Deer Park 6-8 rank in MT?

Deer Park 6-8 is ranked #508 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Deer Park 6-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Deer Park 6-8 has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Deer Park 6-8?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Deer Park 6-8 has 56.2% math proficiency and 79.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Deer Park 6-8 a charter school?

No, Deer Park 6-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Deer Park 6-8 a Title I school?

No, Deer Park 6-8 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Deer Park 6-8?

6.5% of students at Deer Park 6-8 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,901/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia Falls). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
46
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
6.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Flathead County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Deer Park Elem
District Enrollment
171
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,849
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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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