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Very Good

#94 of 603 schools in MT

Top 15% in state

Lillian Peterson School

Elementary School · Kalispell Elem

233 First Ave East, Kalispell, MT 59901

Enrollment

351

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kalispell

#3 of 22

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#69 of 319

In district

#1 of 7

Kalispell Elem

Academic performance

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Lillian Peterson School

Lillian Peterson School serves 351 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade at 233 First Ave East in Kalispell, Montana. This regular public elementary school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #108 out of 605 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 82nd percentile.

With an impressive academic score of 9.2 out of 10, Lillian Peterson School shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 67% of students score proficient or above across all grade levels. Mathematics results show 52% of students achieving proficiency, indicating room for continued growth in this subject area. The school draws from a stable community in the 59901 ZIP code, where the median household income is $67,936 and median home value reaches $371,600.

About 31% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate stands at a relatively low 9.9%. Located in the remote town setting of Kalispell in Flathead County, the school serves families in Montana's scenic northwestern region.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.5Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+21.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.6Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,023

Lillian Peterson School — Students at Lillian Peterson School score 60% proficient, which is above 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 48.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
67%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Lillian Peterson School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
85th percentile in MT
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

233 First Ave East, Kalispell, MT 59901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lillian Peterson School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST MATTHEW'S SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Edgerton School (rated 7.1/10, 2.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Smith Valley Primary Schl (rated 6.9/10, 4.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Kalispell, see our Kalispell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.5 mi
School Distance Rating
ONESCHOOL GLOBAL KALISPELL CAMPUS Kalispell 0.8 mi
Flathead High School Kalispell 0.6 mi 6.9
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kalispell 0.8 mi 4.9
Elrod School Kalispell 0.6 mi 5.9
ROCKY MOUNTAIN EDUCATION Kalispell 0.9 mi
Russell School Kalispell 0.9 mi 5.8
ST MATTHEW'S SCHOOL Kalispell 0.8 mi 8.0
Kalispell Middle School Kalispell 1.6 mi 5.8
Cornelius Hedges School Kalispell 1.2 mi 5.3
WOODLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kalispell 1.4 mi
Jeannette Rankin Elementary Sc Kalispell 1.9 mi 6.6
Edgerton School Kalispell 2.6 mi 7.1
KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell 2.0 mi 4.6
Glacier High School Kalispell 3.2 mi 6.3
STILLWATER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell 2.6 mi 5.6
Evergreen Junior High Kalispell 3.2 mi 6.2
East Evergreen School Kalispell 4.1 mi 6.8
Smith Valley Primary Schl Kalispell 4.5 mi 6.9
Smith Valley 7-8 Kalispell 4.5 mi 4.7
Helena Flats School Kalispell 5.5 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,391

Median Home Value

$417,200

Median Rent

$1,052/mo

Population

61,710

College Educated

32.6%

Homeownership

72%

Avg Commute

18.1 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

39.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lillian Peterson School has a median household income of $70,391. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $417,200, with a median rent of $1,052/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Big Timber School Big Timber, MT 7.8
Eagle Cliffs Elementary Billings, MT 7.8
East Side School Livingston, MT 7.8
Lakeside Elementary School Somers, MT 7.8
St Ignatius Elementary School St. Ignatius, MT 7.8
Story Creek Elem Belgrade, MT 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lillian Peterson School

What grades does Lillian Peterson School serve?

Lillian Peterson School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Lillian Peterson School?

Lillian Peterson School has an enrollment of approximately 351 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lillian Peterson School?

The student-teacher ratio at Lillian Peterson School is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lillian Peterson School rank in MT?

Lillian Peterson School is ranked #94 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Lillian Peterson School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lillian Peterson School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Lillian Peterson School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lillian Peterson School has 48.7% math proficiency and 63.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lillian Peterson School a charter school?

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

Is Lillian Peterson School a Title I school?

No, Lillian Peterson School is not currently a Title I school.

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

53.3% of students at Lillian Peterson 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
62 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
72 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,532/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
351
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Flathead County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Kalispell Elem
District Enrollment
3,057
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,053
District Rank
#1 of 7

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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