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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.6Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.5%
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+18.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.4Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,657

Deer Park School — Students at Deer Park School score 70% 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

2.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 62.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 71.2%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
64.5%
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: 9.0/10.

How Deer Park School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.1/10
91th percentile in MT
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
2%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,901/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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