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Needs Improvement

#600 of 603 schools in MT

Kila School

Elementary School · Kila Elem

PO Box 40, Kila, MT 59920

Enrollment

135

Student-Teacher

16.9:1

Score

3.1

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kila

#2 of 2

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#316 of 319

In district

#2 of 2

Kila Elem

About Kila School

Kila School is a small rural elementary school located in Kila, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 135 students and employs eight full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1. The school's setting offers a close-knit community feel with lots of outdoor space for activities.

Academically, Kila School is ranked at the 3rd percentile among Montana schools, with room for improvement in both reading and math proficiency rates. According to recent test scores, 54% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 34% meet or exceed proficiency standards in math. Despite its current academic standing, Kila School focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment where each student can grow and develop.

The school’s rural setting provides unique opportunities for hands-on education and community engagement.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 135 students, Kila 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, Kila 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 Progress2.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-9.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected-6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,940

Kila School — Students at Kila School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.7%
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
47%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
27%
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: 2.0/10.

How Kila School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.1/10
1th percentile in MT
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
2.0/10
Below average
Environment
2.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

PO Box 40, Kila, MT 59920

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kila School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST MATTHEW'S SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lillian Peterson School (rated 7.8/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edgerton School (rated 7.1/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kila, see our Kila schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Kila 7-8 Kila 0.0 mi 8.6
Smith Valley Primary Schl Kalispell 3.9 mi 6.9
Smith Valley 7-8 Kalispell 3.9 mi 4.7
West Valley School Kalispell 8.3 mi 6.9
West Valley Middle School Kalispell 8.3 mi 6.9
Lillian Peterson School Kalispell 7.7 mi 7.8
ONESCHOOL GLOBAL KALISPELL CAMPUS Kalispell 8.0 mi
ROCKY MOUNTAIN EDUCATION Kalispell 8.2 mi
Flathead High School Kalispell 8.0 mi 6.9
Kalispell Middle School Kalispell 8.7 mi 5.8
Jeannette Rankin Elementary Sc Kalispell 7.7 mi 6.6
Elrod School Kalispell 8.2 mi 5.9
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kalispell 8.4 mi 4.9
Russell School Kalispell 8.6 mi 5.8
ST MATTHEW'S SCHOOL Kalispell 8.3 mi 8.0
Glacier High School Kalispell 9.6 mi 6.3
Cornelius Hedges School Kalispell 8.6 mi 5.3
WOODLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kalispell 9.0 mi
Edgerton School Kalispell 10.1 mi 7.1
STILLWATER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell 8.9 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59920 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,300

Median Home Value

$668,600

Median Rent

$914/mo

Population

1,635

College Educated

32.3%

Homeownership

88%

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

44.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Kila School has a median household income of $83,300. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $668,600, with a median rent of $914/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Swan River School Bigfork, MT 3.0
Lincoln School Miles City, MT 3.3
Centerville School Sand Coulee, MT 3.8
White Sulphur Springs El White Sulphur Springs, MT 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kila School

What grades does Kila School serve?

Kila School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Kila School?

Kila School has an enrollment of approximately 135 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kila School?

The student-teacher ratio at Kila School is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kila School rank in MT?

Kila School is ranked #600 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Kila School's MySchoolScout rating?

Kila School has a composite rating of 3.1 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 Kila School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kila School has 33.7% math proficiency and 53.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Kila School a charter school?

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

Is Kila School a Title I school?

No, Kila School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kila School?

48.9% of students at Kila 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

County Safety
Elevated (776/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
135
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Flathead County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Kila Elem
District Enrollment
174
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,885
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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