Below Average
#517 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
4.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
45
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
4.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kalispell
#20 of 22
public schools
Montana middle schools
#115 of 143
In district
#2 of 2
Smith Valley Elem
About Smith Valley 7-8
Smith Valley 7-8 is a middle school located in the rural outskirts of Kalispell, Montana. Serving students in seventh and eighth grade, Smith Valley has an enrollment of just 45 students, making it a small but tight-knit community where teachers can give individual attention. The student-teacher ratio at Smith Valley is 22.5:1 with two full-time equivalent educators.
While the school’s MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.5 out of 10 and its state ranking places it near the bottom among Montana schools, the setting allows for a close-knit environment focused on student development outside the academic metrics. Smith Valley 7-8 is situated in a rural area with limited neighborhood data available, providing students with a unique sense of community and connection to their surroundings.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 45 students, Smith Valley 7-8 is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
The student-teacher ratio at Smith Valley 7-8 is 22.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Smith Valley 7-8 may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Smith Valley 7-8 — Students at Smith Valley 7-8 score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.1%
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: 6.7/10.
How Smith Valley 7-8 Compares
See how Smith Valley 7-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 24.5% (2019) to 15% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 44.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
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. Kila 7-8 (rated 8.6/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Kila), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Valley Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kalispell Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 5.1 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 | 6.9 |
| Kila 7-8 Kila | 3.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Kila School Kila | 3.9 mi | 3.1 |
| West Valley School Kalispell | 4.5 mi | 6.9 |
| West Valley Middle School Kalispell | 4.5 mi | 6.9 |
| ONESCHOOL GLOBAL KALISPELL CAMPUS Kalispell | 4.6 mi | — |
| Lillian Peterson School Kalispell | 4.5 mi | 7.8 |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN EDUCATION Kalispell | 4.8 mi | — |
| Kalispell Middle School Kalispell | 5.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Glacier High School Kalispell | 5.8 mi | 6.3 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 5.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Flathead High School Kalispell | 5.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Russell School Kalispell | 5.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Elrod School Kalispell | 5.1 mi | 5.9 |
| ST MATTHEW'S SCHOOL Kalispell | 5.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Jeannette Rankin Elementary Sc Kalispell | 5.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Cornelius Hedges School Kalispell | 5.6 mi | 5.3 |
| WOODLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kalispell | 5.9 mi | — |
| Edgerton School Kalispell | 6.5 mi | 7.1 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Smith Valley 7-8 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 |
|---|---|
| Box Elder 7-8 Box Elder, MT | 4.7 |
| Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls, MT | 4.8 |
| Superior 7-8 Superior, MT | 4.5 |
| Alberton Middle School Alberton, MT | 4.3 |
| Sheridan 7-8 Sheridan, MT | 4.2 |
| DeSmet 6-8 Missoula, MT | 5.3 |
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 is ranked #517 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Smith Valley 7-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Smith Valley 7-8 has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Smith Valley 7-8?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smith Valley 7-8 has 21.3% math proficiency and 44.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (406) 756-4535
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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
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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