Average
#452 of 603 schools in MT
Glacier Gateway Elem
Elementary School · Columbia Falls Elem
PO Box 1259, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Montana schools
#452 of 603
In Columbia Falls
#6 of 6
public schools
In district
#3 of 3
Columbia Falls Elem
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Glacier Gateway Elem
Elementary School in Columbia Falls · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Columbia Falls High Schl
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ruder Elementary
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Glacier Gateway Elem
Glacier Gateway Elem is a public elementary school in Columbia Falls, MT, part of Columbia Falls Elem. Glacier Gateway Elem serves approximately 496 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Glacier Gateway Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #452 of 603 schools in MT.
Structured state assessment records for Glacier Gateway Elem show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.1 · Average
- District avg 6.3
- MT avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
31% of students at Glacier Gateway Elem were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Glacier Gateway Elem — Students at Glacier Gateway Elem score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 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: 5.0/10.
How Glacier Gateway Elem Compares
See how Glacier Gateway Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO Box 1259, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Glacier Gateway Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Deer Park School (rated 8.5/10, 5.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Creston School (rated 8.3/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Additionally, L A Muldown School (rated 8.2/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Whitefish), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia Falls, see our Columbia Falls schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Falls High Schl Columbia Falls | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Ruder Elementary Columbia Falls | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Columbia Falls Jr HS Columbia Falls | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Deer Park School Columbia Falls | 5.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls | 5.8 mi | 7.4 |
| VALLEY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 8.1 mi | — |
| Helena Flats School Kalispell | 8.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell | 8.8 mi | 4.8 |
| L A Muldown School Whitefish | 6.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Whitefish High School Whitefish | 6.8 mi | 7.1 |
| WHITEFISH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Whitefish | 6.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Whitefish Middle 5-8 Whitefish | 7.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Cayuse Prairie School Kalispell | 10.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell | 10.7 mi | 6.6 |
| East Evergreen School Kalispell | 10.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Evergreen Junior High Kalispell | 11.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell | 12.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell | 12.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Edgerton School Kalispell | 11.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Creston School Kalispell | 13.0 mi | 8.3 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lincoln School Great Falls, MT | 5.0 |
| Valley View School Great Falls, MT | 5.0 |
| Beartooth School Billings, MT | 5.2 |
| Emerson School Butte, MT | 5.2 |
| Sunnyside School Havre, MT | 5.2 |
| Broadwater School Billings, MT | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Glacier Gateway Elem
What grades does Glacier Gateway Elem serve?
Glacier Gateway Elem serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Glacier Gateway Elem?
Glacier Gateway Elem has an enrollment of approximately 496 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Glacier Gateway Elem?
The student-teacher ratio at Glacier Gateway Elem is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Glacier Gateway Elem rank in MT?
Glacier Gateway Elem ranks #452 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Glacier Gateway Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Glacier Gateway Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Glacier Gateway Elem?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Glacier Gateway Elem has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Glacier Gateway Elem a charter school?
No, Glacier Gateway Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Glacier Gateway Elem a Title I school?
No, Glacier Gateway Elem is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Glacier Gateway Elem?
69.4% of students at Glacier Gateway Elem 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 496
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 69.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Flathead County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.6%
- Phone
- (406) 892-6540
Resources & Links
District
Columbia Falls Elem- District Enrollment
- 1,585
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,977
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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