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Below Average

#538 of 603 schools in MT

Great Falls High School

High School · Great Falls H S

PO Box 2429, Great Falls, MT 59403

Enrollment

1,612

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

4.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Great Falls

#19 of 19

public schools

Montana high schools

#124 of 141

In district

#2 of 2

Great Falls H S

About Great Falls High School

Great Falls High School serves 1,612 students in grades 9-12 in Great Falls, Montana, making it one of the larger high schools in the state. With 112 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1, providing reasonable opportunities for individualized attention. The school is working to strengthen its academic outcomes, with room for growth in core subject areas.

Currently, 37% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, while 16% achieve proficiency in mathematics. These results place Great Falls High School at #495 among Montana's 605 high schools, indicating the school is focusing on student development and academic improvement initiatives. As a regular public school in Montana's education system, Great Falls High School serves a diverse student body within the Cascade County community.

The school's size allows it to offer the breadth of programs typically found in larger institutions while maintaining the close-knit feel that many families value in a high school experience. Great Falls High School is situated in the heart of Great Falls, a small city that serves as an educational and cultural hub for north-central Montana, providing students with both urban amenities and the strong community connections characteristic of Montana towns.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-11.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness3.8Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation13%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,688

Great Falls High School — Students at Great Falls High School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.3%
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
29%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
33%
2022
Math
16%
ELA
37%

* 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: 5.4/10.

How Great Falls High School Compares

See how Great Falls High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
11th percentile in MT
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
112 teachers

Location

PO Box 2429, Great Falls, MT 59403

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Great Falls High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. GREAT FALLS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, C M Russell High School (rated 6.5/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Great Falls, see our Great Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
FOOTHILLS COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Great Falls 0.6 mi 7.1
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Great Falls 0.5 mi 7.9
Lincoln School Great Falls 0.6 mi 5.3
Longfellow School Great Falls 0.7 mi 5.3
Sunnyside School Great Falls 1.1 mi 5.3
Whittier School Great Falls 1.0 mi 4.9
Giant Springs Elementary Great Falls 1.1 mi 7.1
GREAT FALLS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Great Falls 1.4 mi 6.6
Mountain View School Great Falls 1.7 mi 5.0
Lewis & Clark School Great Falls 1.6 mi 5.3
North Middle School Great Falls 2.1 mi 8.0
MT Sch For Deaf & Blnd HS Great Falls 1.6 mi
MT Sch For Deaf & Blnd El Great Falls 1.6 mi
East Middle School Great Falls 1.7 mi 6.9
Sacajawea School Great Falls 2.4 mi 4.9
Morningside School Great Falls 2.0 mi 6.9
TREASURE STATE ACADEMY Great Falls 2.1 mi 5.5
Riverview School Great Falls 2.4 mi 5.0
C M Russell High School Great Falls 2.5 mi 6.5
Chief Joseph School Great Falls 2.5 mi 5.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Butte High School Butte, MT 4.4
Skyview High School Billings, MT 4.7
Belgrade High School Belgrade, MT 5.0
Billings Sr High School Billings, MT 5.0
Billings West High School Billings, MT 5.0
Sentinel High School Missoula, MT 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Great Falls High School

What grades does Great Falls High School serve?

Great Falls High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Great Falls High School?

Great Falls High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,612 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Great Falls High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Great Falls High School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Great Falls High School rank in MT?

Great Falls High School is ranked #538 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Great Falls High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Great Falls High School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Great Falls High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Great Falls High School has 22.0% math proficiency and 36.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Great Falls High School a charter school?

No, Great Falls High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Great Falls High School a Title I school?

No, Great Falls High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Great Falls High School?

53.3% of students at Great Falls High 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
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,026/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,612
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
112
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Cascade County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Great Falls H S
District Enrollment
3,064
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,583
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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