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Needs Improvement

#587 of 603 schools in MT

Smith Valley 7-8

Middle School · Smith Valley Elem

2901 Highway 2 West, Kalispell, MT 59901

Enrollment

45

Student-Teacher

22.5:1

Score

3.3

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#587 of 603

In Kalispell

#22 of 22

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

Smith Valley Elem

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Smith Valley 7-8

3.3/10

Middle School in Kalispell · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Smith Valley Primary Schl

4.4/10

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

Kila 7-8

7.5/10

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

About Smith Valley 7-8

Smith Valley 7-8 is a public middle school in Kalispell, MT, part of Smith Valley Elem. Smith Valley 7-8 serves approximately 45 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 22.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Smith Valley 7-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #587 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Smith Valley 7-8 show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.7 pts below MT schools
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • MT avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 45 students, Smith Valley 7-8 is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Smith Valley 7-8 runs 22.5:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Smith Valley 7-8 sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.42 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
Resources & Environment1.2Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,621
Chronic Absenteeism62.2%

Smith Valley 7-8 — Students at Smith Valley 7-8 score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 37.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 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
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2010
Math
69.5%
ELA
90%
2011
Math
69.5%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
69.5%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
34.5%
ELA
54.5%
2015
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2016
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
34.5%
2018
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2019
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
44.5%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Smith Valley 7-8 Compares

See how Smith Valley 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.3/10
3th percentile in MT
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.2/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
62.2%

Location

2901 Highway 2 West, Kalispell, MT 59901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Smith Valley 7-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Kalispell Middle School (rated 7.6/10, 5.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kila 7-8 (rated 7.5/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Kila), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Valley Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kalispell, see our Kalispell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Smith Valley Primary Schl Kalispell 0.0 mi 4.4
Kila 7-8 Kila 3.9 mi 7.5
Kila School Kila 3.9 mi 6.4
West Valley School Kalispell 4.5 mi 7.6
West Valley Middle School Kalispell 4.5 mi 7.1
ONESCHOOL GLOBAL KALISPELL CAMPUS Kalispell 4.6 mi
Lillian Peterson School Kalispell 4.5 mi 6.7
ROCKY MOUNTAIN EDUCATION Kalispell 4.8 mi
Kalispell Middle School Kalispell 5.1 mi 7.6
Glacier High School Kalispell 5.8 mi 6.0
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kalispell 5.1 mi 4.9
Flathead High School Kalispell 5.0 mi 5.5
Russell School Kalispell 5.2 mi 7.8
Elrod School Kalispell 5.1 mi 5.1
ST MATTHEW'S SCHOOL Kalispell 5.3 mi 8.0
Jeannette Rankin Elementary Sc Kalispell 5.3 mi 8.0
Cornelius Hedges School Kalispell 5.6 mi 4.7
WOODLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kalispell 5.9 mi
Edgerton School Kalispell 6.5 mi 8.0
KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell 6.4 mi 4.6

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BEACON STAR AMISH SCHOOL Moore, MT 3.4
BEACON STAR SCHOOL Moore, MT 3.4
Victor Middle School Victor, MT 3.5
Chinook 7-8 Chinook, MT 3.8
MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL Rexford, MT 2.8
Fairview 6-8 Fairview, MT 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Smith Valley 7-8

What grades does Smith Valley 7-8 serve?

Smith Valley 7-8 serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Smith Valley 7-8?

Smith Valley 7-8 has an enrollment of approximately 45 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Smith Valley 7-8?

The student-teacher ratio at Smith Valley 7-8 is 22.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Smith Valley 7-8 rank in MT?

Smith Valley 7-8 ranks #587 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Smith Valley 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Smith Valley 7-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Smith Valley 7-8?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Smith Valley 7-8 has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Smith Valley 7-8 a charter school?

No, Smith Valley 7-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Smith Valley 7-8 a Title I school?

No, Smith Valley 7-8 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Smith Valley 7-8?

51.1% of students at Smith Valley 7-8 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
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
45
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Flathead County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
62.2%

District

Smith Valley Elem
District Enrollment
200
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,621
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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