Average
#434 of 603 schools in MT
Ruder Elementary
Elementary School · Columbia Falls Elem
PO Box 1259, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Enrollment
546
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
546
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia Falls
#4 of 6
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#239 of 319
In district
#2 of 3
Columbia Falls Elem
Academic performance
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Ruder Elementary
Ruder Elementary in Columbia Falls, Montana is a regular public school serving students from preschool through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 546 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, the school offers a relatively low teacher-to-student ratio that supports individualized learning. Ruder Elementary has 37 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering academic growth and development.
The school’s MySchoolScout Rating is 5.3 out of 10, placing it in the 47th percentile among Montana's schools. In terms of academics, 52% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 47% meet proficiency standards in Math. These scores indicate areas where there is room for improvement but also reflect the school’s commitment to student development.
Ruder Elementary is situated in a remote town setting within Flathead County, offering a close-knit community atmosphere. The school serves as a vital hub for local families and plays an important role in the education of young learners in Columbia Falls.
Score Breakdown
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Ruder Elementary — Students at Ruder Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
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 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: 3.9/10.
How Ruder Elementary Compares
See how Ruder Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 47% (2022).
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. Fair-Mont-Egan School (rated 8.9/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Deer Park School (rated 8.1/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edgerton School (rated 7.1/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably 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 | 5.8 |
| Columbia Falls Jr HS Columbia Falls | 0.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Glacier Gateway Elem Columbia Falls | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Deer Park School Columbia Falls | 5.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls | 5.2 mi | 4.8 |
| VALLEY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 7.3 mi | — |
| Helena Flats School Kalispell | 8.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell | 8.0 mi | 3.9 |
| L A Muldown School Whitefish | 6.4 mi | 6.7 |
| WHITEFISH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Whitefish | 6.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Whitefish High School Whitefish | 6.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Whitefish Middle 5-8 Whitefish | 7.0 mi | 7.2 |
| East Evergreen School Kalispell | 9.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Cayuse Prairie School Kalispell | 10.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell | 10.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Evergreen Junior High Kalispell | 10.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell | 11.6 mi | 8.9 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell | 11.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Edgerton School Kalispell | 10.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Creston School Kalispell | 12.4 mi | 5.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ruder Elementary has a median household income of $73,515. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $438,000, with a median rent of $1,052/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Hawthorne School Bozeman, MT | 5.4 |
| Meadow Lark School Great Falls, MT | 5.4 |
| Sandstone School Billings, MT | 5.4 |
| Bigfork Elementary Bigfork, MT | 5.5 |
| Lincoln School Great Falls, MT | 5.3 |
| Meadowlark Elementary Bozeman, MT | 5.3 |
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 is ranked #434 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Ruder Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ruder Elementary 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 Ruder Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ruder Elementary has 47.0% math proficiency and 51.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,901/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia Falls). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (406) 892-6570
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Columbia Falls Elem- District Enrollment
- 1,585
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,977
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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