Average
#383 of 603 schools in MT
Russell School
Elementary School · Kalispell Elem
233 First Ave East, Kalispell, MT 59901
Enrollment
216
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
216
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kalispell
#17 of 22
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#218 of 319
In district
#6 of 7
Kalispell Elem
Academic performance
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Russell School
Russell School serves 216 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Kalispell, Montana, offering a smaller learning environment with a favorable 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. The school has earned recognition as one of Montana's higher-performing elementary schools, ranking #99 out of 605 schools statewide and placing in the 84th percentile with a solid 7.3/10 MySchoolScout rating. Academically, Russell School demonstrates strong performance with 57% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 47% meet proficiency standards in mathematics.
The school's 8.3/10 academic score reflects its commitment to student achievement across all grade levels. The school draws families from a stable community where the median household income is $67,936 and home values average $371,600. About 31% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the neighborhood maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 9.9%.
With 16 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, Russell School provides personalized attention in smaller class settings. Russell School is situated in the remote town setting of Kalispell, where families can enjoy the benefits of small-town community connections while accessing quality elementary education in Montana's Flathead County.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Russell School — Students at Russell School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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: 3.6/10.
How Russell School Compares
See how Russell School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
233 First Ave East, Kalispell, MT 59901
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Russell School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST MATTHEW'S SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lillian Peterson School (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edgerton School (rated 7.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kalispell, see our Kalispell schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 0.2 mi | 4.9 |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN EDUCATION Kalispell | 0.5 mi | — |
| Elrod School Kalispell | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Flathead High School Kalispell | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| ONESCHOOL GLOBAL KALISPELL CAMPUS Kalispell | 0.7 mi | — |
| Lillian Peterson School Kalispell | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| ST MATTHEW'S SCHOOL Kalispell | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Kalispell Middle School Kalispell | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| WOODLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kalispell | 1.0 mi | — |
| Cornelius Hedges School Kalispell | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Edgerton School Kalispell | 1.7 mi | 7.1 |
| KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell | 1.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Jeannette Rankin Elementary Sc Kalispell | 2.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Glacier High School Kalispell | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Evergreen Junior High Kalispell | 2.3 mi | 6.2 |
| STILLWATER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 2.8 mi | 5.6 |
| East Evergreen School Kalispell | 3.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Helena Flats School Kalispell | 4.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell | 4.5 mi | 3.9 |
| VALLEY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 5.2 mi | — |
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 Russell 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 |
|---|---|
| Independent School Billings, MT | 5.8 |
| Clancy School Clancy, MT | 5.7 |
| Franklin School Missoula, MT | 5.7 |
| Miles Avenue School Billings, MT | 5.7 |
| Seeley Lake Elementary Seeley Lake, MT | 5.7 |
| West School Laurel, MT | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Russell School
What grades does Russell School serve?
Russell School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Russell School?
Russell School has an enrollment of approximately 216 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Russell School?
The student-teacher ratio at Russell School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Russell School rank in MT?
Russell School is ranked #383 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Russell School's MySchoolScout rating?
Russell School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Russell School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Russell School has 53.7% math proficiency and 63.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Russell School a charter school?
No, Russell School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Russell School a Title I school?
No, Russell School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Russell School?
100.0% of students at Russell 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 (2,532/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kalispell). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 216
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Flathead County
- Phone
- (406) 751-3900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kalispell Elem- District Enrollment
- 3,057
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,053
- District Rank
- #6 of 7
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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