Average
#439 of 603 schools in MT
Meadow Lark School
Elementary School · Great Falls Elem
PO Box 2429, Great Falls, MT 59403
Enrollment
531
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
531
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Great Falls
#8 of 19
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#240 of 319
In district
#7 of 17
Great Falls Elem
Academic performance
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Meadow Lark School
Meadow Lark School serves 531 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Great Falls, Montana, operating as a regular public school in Cascade County. With 24 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.1 to 1, providing a structured learning environment for elementary-aged children. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks impressively at #105 out of 605 schools statewide, placing it in the 83rd percentile among Montana elementary schools.
Students show solid achievement in core subjects, with 70% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 66% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics. This academic score of 9.6 out of 10 reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence. Meadow Lark School's comprehensive grade range from prekindergarten through sixth grade allows families to keep their children in one school community throughout their elementary years, fostering continuity in learning and relationship building.
The school operates within Great Falls, a small city setting that provides students with both educational opportunities and a close-knit community atmosphere where educators can focus on individual student growth and development.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Meadow Lark School is 22.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Meadow Lark School — Students at Meadow Lark School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.7%
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: 4.5/10.
How Meadow Lark School Compares
See how Meadow Lark School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 66% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 81% (2019) to 70% (2022).
Location
PO Box 2429, Great Falls, MT 59403
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Meadow Lark School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Giant Springs Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Valley View School (rated 5.5/10, 2.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Great Falls, see our Great Falls schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Elementary Great Falls | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Valley View School Great Falls | 2.5 mi | 5.5 |
| C M Russell High School Great Falls | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Longfellow School Great Falls | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Riverview School Great Falls | 2.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Whittier School Great Falls | 2.4 mi | 4.9 |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Great Falls | 2.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Sunnyside School Great Falls | 2.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Great Falls High School Great Falls | 2.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Sacajawea School Great Falls | 3.7 mi | 4.9 |
| North Middle School Great Falls | 3.7 mi | 8.0 |
| FOOTHILLS COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Great Falls | 3.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Lincoln School Great Falls | 3.3 mi | 5.3 |
| GREAT FALLS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Great Falls | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Giant Springs Elementary Great Falls | 4.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Mountain View School Great Falls | 3.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Lewis & Clark School Great Falls | 4.4 mi | 5.3 |
| MT Sch For Deaf & Blnd HS Great Falls | 4.4 mi | — |
| MT Sch For Deaf & Blnd El Great Falls | 4.4 mi | — |
| East Middle School Great Falls | 4.5 mi | 6.9 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hawthorne School Bozeman, MT | 5.4 |
| Ruder Elementary Columbia Falls, MT | 5.4 |
| Sandstone School Billings, MT | 5.4 |
| Bigfork Elementary Bigfork, MT | 5.5 |
| Cornelius Hedges School Kalispell, MT | 5.3 |
| Lewis & Clark School Great Falls, MT | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Meadow Lark School
What grades does Meadow Lark School serve?
Meadow Lark School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Meadow Lark School?
Meadow Lark School has an enrollment of approximately 531 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Meadow Lark School?
The student-teacher ratio at Meadow Lark School is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Meadow Lark School rank in MT?
Meadow Lark School is ranked #439 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Meadow Lark School's MySchoolScout rating?
Meadow Lark School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Meadow Lark School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Meadow Lark School has 69.7% math proficiency and 74.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Meadow Lark School a charter school?
No, Meadow Lark School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Meadow Lark School a Title I school?
No, Meadow Lark School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Meadow Lark School?
17.7% of students at Meadow Lark 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,026/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Great Falls). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 531
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 17.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Cascade County
- Phone
- (406) 268-7300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Great Falls Elem- District Enrollment
- 6,899
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,146
- District Rank
- #7 of 17
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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