Excellent
#57 of 603 schools in MT
Top 9% in state
Deer Park School
Elementary School · Deer Park Elem
2105 Middle Road, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Enrollment
125
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
125
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia Falls
#1 of 6
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#43 of 319
In district
#1 of 2
Deer Park Elem
Academic performance
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Deer Park School
Deer Park School serves 125 students in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Columbia Falls, Montana, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranking 28th among Montana's 605 schools, this regular public school demonstrates strong academic achievement in its rural setting. The school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 13.9 to 1 with 9 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention in smaller classroom environments.
Academic performance is particularly impressive, with 74% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 64% meet or exceed standards in Mathematics. These results contribute to the school's outstanding academic score of 9.7 out of 10. Deer Park School draws families from the broader Columbia Falls area, where the median household income is $69,403 and median home values reach $361,600.
The community shows solid educational values, with 28% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains economic stability with a poverty rate of just 8.1%. Located on Middle Road in this scenic Flathead County community of over 15,000 residents, the school serves families who appreciate the balance of rural Montana living with strong educational opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 125 students, Deer Park 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, Deer Park 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
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Deer Park School — Students at Deer Park School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
2.4%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.0/10.
How Deer Park School Compares
See how Deer Park School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 64.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 74.5% (2022).
Location
2105 Middle Road, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Deer Park School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fair-Mont-Egan School (rated 8.9/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Edgerton School (rated 7.1/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), with a comparable rating. Additionally, East Evergreen School (rated 6.8/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), a more accessible option. For more schools in Columbia Falls, see our Columbia Falls schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls | 0.0 mi | 4.8 |
| 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 School 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 |
|---|---|
| St Regis School St. Regis, MT | 8.1 |
| West Yellowstone School West Yellowstone, MT | 8.1 |
| Frenchtown Intermediate School Frenchtown, MT | 8.0 |
| Jordan Elementary School Jordan, MT | 8.2 |
| ST MATTHEW'S SCHOOL Kalispell, MT | 8.0 |
| Scobey School Scobey, MT | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Deer Park School
What grades does Deer Park School serve?
Deer Park School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Deer Park School?
Deer Park School has an enrollment of approximately 125 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Deer Park School?
The student-teacher ratio at Deer Park School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Deer Park School rank in MT?
Deer Park School is ranked #57 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Deer Park School's MySchoolScout rating?
Deer Park School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Deer Park School has 62.8% math proficiency and 71.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Deer Park School a charter school?
No, Deer Park School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Deer Park School a Title I school?
No, Deer Park School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Deer Park School?
2.4% of students at Deer Park School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 125
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 2.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Flathead County
- Phone
- (406) 892-5388
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Deer Park Elem- District Enrollment
- 171
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $7,849
- District Rank
- #1 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.
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