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Very Good

#12 of 60 private schools in MT

Top 18% of private schools

Mission Valley Christian Academy

School

38907 MT HWY 35, Polson, MT 59860

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MT statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

95

Student-Teacher

7.9:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Montana schools

#2 of 18

About Mission Valley Christian Academy

Mission Valley Christian Academy is a K through 12 school nestled in the rural area near Polson, Montana. With an enrollment of just 95 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 7.9:1, this small campus offers personalized attention and support for each child's educational journey. The dedicated staff includes 12 full-time equivalent teachers committed to nurturing young minds.

While specific test score data is not available, Mission Valley Christian Academy holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks as the 15th best school in Montana among 60 schools, placing it in the 77th percentile statewide. This ranking reflects the school's commitment to fostering student development beyond just academic performance. Set against the serene backdrop of a rural setting near Polson Lake, Mission Valley Christian Academy provides an intimate and supportive learning environment for students from kindergarten through high school graduation.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 95 students, Mission Valley Christian Academy 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.9:1, Mission Valley Christian Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Mission Valley Christian Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$13,408
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$24,667
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.84x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
37%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$3.3M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 95 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Mission Valley Christian Academy compares to 5 public schools serving similar grades in Polson, MT

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.9:1
This School
vs
13.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
95
This School
vs
341
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.5
This School
vs
6.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 68.4% vs 0%
Asian 8.4% vs 0%
Black 1.1% vs 0%
Mission Valley Christian Academy Polson Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Mission Valley Christian Academy (this school) 7.5
Linderman School 8.4
Cherry Valley School 5.9
Polson High School 5.6
Polson Middle School 4.2
Valley View School 7.9

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MT.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,134
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 8.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 35%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B+ 6.9 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 95
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MT

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 68.4%
Native American 13.7%
Asian 8.4%
Two or More 8.4%
Black 1.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

38907 MT HWY 35, Polson, MT 59860

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mission Valley Christian Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Linderman School (rated 8.4/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Dayton School (rated 8.0/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Dayton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Valley View School (rated 7.9/10, 10.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Polson, see our Polson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Linderman School Polson 3.6 mi 8.4
Cherry Valley School Polson 3.9 mi 5.9
Polson High School Polson 4.0 mi 5.6
Polson Middle School Polson 4.1 mi 4.2
Two Eagle River School Pablo 6.2 mi
Pablo Elementary Ronan 6.2 mi 4.4
K William Harvey Elem Ronan 10.8 mi 4.7
Ronan High School Ronan 10.8 mi 4.2
Ronan Middle School Ronan 10.9 mi 6.4
MOUNTAIN HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ronan 11.1 mi
Valley View School Polson 10.2 mi 7.9
Charlo Elementary Charlo 17.6 mi 7.8
Charlo 6-8 Charlo 17.6 mi 4.1
Charlo High School Charlo 17.6 mi 7.1
Dayton School Dayton 15.4 mi 8.0
Salmon Prairie School Swan Lake 14.3 mi
60281 HILLSIDE RD Saint Ignatius 24.1 mi
Lakeside Elementary School Somers 24.0 mi 7.8
St Ignatius High School St. Ignatius 25.5 mi 5.6
St Ignatius Middle School St. Ignatius 25.5 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59860 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,883

Median Home Value

$386,100

Median Rent

$932/mo

Population

11,580

College Educated

33%

Homeownership

69.4%

Avg Commute

18.8 min

Poverty Rate

16.5%

Median Age

46.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mission Valley Christian Academy has a median household income of $59,883. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $386,100, with a median rent of $932/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
HAMILTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hamilton, MT 6.9
BRIGHTWAYS GLOBAL ACADEMY Missoula, MT 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mission Valley Christian Academy

What grades does Mission Valley Christian Academy serve?

Mission Valley Christian Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Mission Valley Christian Academy?

Mission Valley Christian Academy has an enrollment of approximately 95 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mission Valley Christian Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Mission Valley Christian Academy is 7.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Mission Valley Christian Academy rank in MT?

Mission Valley Christian Academy is ranked #12 out of 60 private schools in MT.

What is Mission Valley Christian Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Mission Valley Christian Academy has a composite rating of 7.5 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.

Is Mission Valley Christian Academy a private school?

Yes, Mission Valley Christian Academy is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Mission Valley Christian Academy a religious school?

Mission Valley Christian Academy has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,159/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
95
Gender Split
45% M / 55% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
162 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
LAKE
Data Year
2022–2023

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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