Skip to main content

Very Good

#151 of 603 schools in MT

Top 25% in state

Russell School

Elementary School · Missoula Elem

909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801

Enrollment

385

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#151 of 603

In Missoula

#9 of 24

public schools

In district

#7 of 12

Missoula Elem

Academic performance

9.2 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Russell School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Russell School

7.6/10

Elementary School in Missoula · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Garden City Montessori

Nearby

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Brightways Global Academy

6.2/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Russell School

Russell School is a public elementary school in Missoula, MT, part of Missoula Elem. Russell School serves approximately 385 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Russell School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #151 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Russell School show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.6 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.9
  • MT avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.35 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency55% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+17.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,401
Chronic Absenteeism27%

Russell School — Students at Russell School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 67.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
46%
ELA
49%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
57%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Russell School Compares

See how Russell School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
75th percentile in MT
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
7.5/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

909 South Ave West, Missoula, MT 59801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Russell School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lewis & Clark School (rated 8.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Paxson School (rated 8.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Chief Charlo School (rated 8.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Missoula, see our Missoula schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
GARDEN CITY MONTESSORI Missoula 0.1 mi
BRIGHTWAYS GLOBAL ACADEMY Missoula 0.3 mi 6.2
Sentinel High School Missoula 0.5 mi 5.8
Washington Middle School Missoula 0.8 mi 6.8
Lewis & Clark School Missoula 0.7 mi 8.6
Franklin School Missoula 1.4 mi 6.7
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Missoula 1.5 mi 6.9
Meadow Hill Middle School Missoula 1.2 mi 6.5
Paxson School Missoula 1.4 mi 8.6
Porter Middle School Missoula 1.3 mi 5.6
LOYOLA SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL Missoula 1.6 mi 6.8
Chief Charlo School Missoula 1.7 mi 8.0
MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Missoula 1.9 mi 7.9
SUSSEX SCHOOL Missoula 1.9 mi 6.9
VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Missoula 1.6 mi 6.8
Hellgate High School Missoula 1.8 mi 6.5
FIRST LUTHERAN CLASSICAL SCHOOL Missoula 1.6 mi
LIGHTHOUSE BAPTIST ACADEMY Missoula 1.9 mi
Lowell School Missoula 2.8 mi 5.7
Big Sky High School Missoula 2.0 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,022

Median Home Value

$393,400

Median Rent

$1,086/mo

Population

31,127

College Educated

51.4%

Homeownership

40.8%

Avg Commute

15.2 min

Poverty Rate

16.6%

Median Age

31.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Giant Springs Elementary Great Falls, MT 7.6
Linderman School Polson, MT 7.6
West Valley School Kalispell, MT 7.6
Arrowhead School Billings, MT 7.5
Eagle Cliffs Elementary Billings, MT 7.5
East Evergreen School Kalispell, MT 7.5

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 385 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Russell School?

The student-teacher ratio at Russell School is 13.3:1. 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 ranks #151 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Russell School's MySchoolScout rating?

Russell School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Russell School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Russell School has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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?

59.2% 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
42 Some Transit
Bike Score
72 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
385
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Missoula County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.0%

District

Missoula Elem
District Enrollment
5,177
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,401
District Rank
#7 of 12

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.