Below Average
#529 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
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
496
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia Falls
#6 of 6
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#286 of 319
In district
#3 of 3
Columbia Falls Elem
About Glacier Gateway Elem
Glacier Gateway Elem is a regular public elementary school located in the remote town of Columbia Falls, Montana. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 496 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, Glacier Gateway Elem ensures that each child receives personalized attention.
There are 33 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment. Academically, the school is rated 3.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks as the 528th best out of 605 schools in Montana according to state rankings. In terms of subject proficiency, 37% of students meet or exceed standards in English Language Arts/Reading, while 29% are proficient or above in Math.
These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on academic growth and development. Glacier Gateway Elem is situated in a remote town setting, offering a unique community atmosphere for its students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Glacier Gateway Elem — Students at Glacier Gateway Elem score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
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 6 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: 4.3/10.
How Glacier Gateway Elem Compares
See how Glacier Gateway Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 24% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 32% (2022).
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. Fair-Mont-Egan School (rated 8.9/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Deer Park School (rated 8.1/10, 5.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edgerton School (rated 7.1/10, 11.5 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 13.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Falls High Schl Columbia Falls | 0.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Ruder Elementary Columbia Falls | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Columbia Falls Jr HS Columbia Falls | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Deer Park School Columbia Falls | 5.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls | 5.8 mi | 4.8 |
| VALLEY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 8.1 mi | — |
| Helena Flats School Kalispell | 8.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell | 8.8 mi | 3.9 |
| L A Muldown School Whitefish | 6.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Whitefish High School Whitefish | 6.8 mi | 7.7 |
| WHITEFISH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Whitefish | 6.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Whitefish Middle 5-8 Whitefish | 7.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Cayuse Prairie School Kalispell | 10.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell | 10.7 mi | 7.5 |
| East Evergreen School Kalispell | 10.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Evergreen Junior High Kalispell | 11.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell | 12.4 mi | 8.9 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell | 12.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Edgerton School Kalispell | 11.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Creston School Kalispell | 13.0 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 Glacier Gateway Elem 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 |
|---|---|
| Bench School Billings, MT | 4.5 |
| K William Harvey Elem Ronan, MT | 4.7 |
| Libby Elementary School Libby, MT | 4.7 |
| Stevensville K-6 Stevensville, MT | 4.7 |
| Elder Grove School Billings, MT | 4.8 |
| West Elementary Great Falls, MT | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #529 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Glacier Gateway Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Glacier Gateway Elem has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Glacier Gateway Elem?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Glacier Gateway Elem has 28.7% math proficiency and 37.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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
- 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
- Phone
- (406) 892-6540
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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