Very Good
#175 of 603 schools in MT
Top 29% in state
Ruder Elementary
Elementary School · Columbia Falls Elem
PO Box 1259, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Enrollment
546
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
546
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Montana schools
#175 of 603
In Columbia Falls
#2 of 6
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
Columbia Falls Elem
Academic performance
7.9 / 10
Very Good
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Ruder Elementary
Elementary School in Columbia Falls · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Columbia Falls High Schl
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Columbia Falls JR HS
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ruder Elementary
Ruder Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia Falls, MT, part of Columbia Falls Elem. Ruder Elementary serves approximately 546 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Ruder Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #175 of 603 schools in MT.
Structured state assessment records for Ruder Elementary show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- District avg 6.3
- MT avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
31% of students at Ruder Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ruder Elementary — Students at Ruder Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 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: 7.8/10.
How Ruder Elementary Compares
See how Ruder Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO Box 1259, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ruder Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Deer Park School (rated 8.5/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Creston School (rated 8.3/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, L A Muldown School (rated 8.2/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Whitefish), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Columbia Falls, see our Columbia Falls schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Falls High Schl Columbia Falls | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Columbia Falls Jr HS Columbia Falls | 0.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Glacier Gateway Elem Columbia Falls | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Deer Park School Columbia Falls | 5.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls | 5.2 mi | 7.4 |
| VALLEY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 7.3 mi | — |
| Helena Flats School Kalispell | 8.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell | 8.0 mi | 4.8 |
| L A Muldown School Whitefish | 6.4 mi | 8.2 |
| WHITEFISH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Whitefish | 6.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Whitefish High School Whitefish | 6.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Whitefish Middle 5-8 Whitefish | 7.0 mi | 7.4 |
| East Evergreen School Kalispell | 9.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Cayuse Prairie School Kalispell | 10.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell | 10.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Evergreen Junior High Kalispell | 10.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell | 11.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell | 11.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Edgerton School Kalispell | 10.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Creston School Kalispell | 12.4 mi | 8.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59912 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,515
Median Home Value
$438,000
Median Rent
$1,052/mo
Population
15,745
College Educated
30.7%
Homeownership
77.4%
Avg Commute
21.5 min
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Median Age
41
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hellgate Elem Lower Grades Missoula, MT | 7.4 |
| Rossiter School Helena, MT | 7.4 |
| Arrowhead School Billings, MT | 7.5 |
| Eagle Cliffs Elementary Billings, MT | 7.5 |
| East Evergreen School Kalispell, MT | 7.5 |
| Libby Elementary School Libby, MT | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ruder Elementary
What grades does Ruder Elementary serve?
Ruder Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Ruder Elementary?
Ruder Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 546 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ruder Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ruder Elementary is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ruder Elementary rank in MT?
Ruder Elementary ranks #175 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Ruder Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ruder Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Ruder Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ruder Elementary has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Ruder Elementary a charter school?
No, Ruder Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ruder Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ruder Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ruder Elementary?
62.5% of students at Ruder Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 546
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Flathead County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.0%
- Phone
- (406) 892-6570
Resources & Links
District
Columbia Falls Elem- District Enrollment
- 1,585
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,977
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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