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Average

#28 of 60 private schools in MT

Top 45% of private schools

Valley Christian School

School

2526 SUNSET LN, Missoula, MT 59804

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 23 schools in Missoula. Learn more

Enrollment

335

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Missoula

#5 of 6

public schools

Montana schools

#6 of 18

Academic performance

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Valley Christian School

Valley Christian School is a public school located in Missoula, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, the school has an enrollment of 335 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's setting is within a small city environment, offering a close-knit community feel.

While Valley Christian School does not have specific test score data available, its MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and state ranking of #41 out of 60 schools in Montana suggest areas for academic growth and development. The school focuses on providing a comprehensive education within the context of a supportive community. Valley Christian School is situated in Missoula, surrounded by natural beauty and cultural amenities, making it an engaging place for students to learn and grow.

What Parents Should Know

As a private school, Valley Christian School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$8,562
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$9,031
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.05x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
76%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$1.3M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 335 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Valley Christian School compares to 24 public schools serving similar grades in Missoula, MT

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
This School
vs
14.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
335
This School
vs
472
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.8
This School
vs
6.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 88.7% vs 0%
Hispanic 3.9% vs 0%
Black 1.8% vs 0%
Asian 0.6% vs 0%
Valley Christian School Missoula Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Valley Christian School (this school) 6.8
Porter Middle School 5.0
Franklin School 5.7
Hawthorne School 6.0
Big Sky High School 7.8
Russell School 7.5
Sentinel High School 5.4
Washington Middle School 5.5
Meadow Hill Middle School 7.0
Target Range School 6.7
Target Range 7-8 6.0
Lewis & Clark School 7.5
Paxson School 8.2
Hellgate High School 7.8
Lowell School 8.1
Hellgate El Primary Grades 7.3
Hellgate Elem Lower Grades 8.1
Hellgate El Intermediate 5.3
Hellgate Middle School 8.1
Chief Charlo School 8.6
Jeannette Rankin El 7.3

Showing 20 of 24 schools. View all schools in Missoula

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MT.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B- 4.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.3 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,292.1
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 7.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 18%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A 8.6 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 335
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MT

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 88.7%
Hispanic 3.9%
Two or More 3.0%
Native American 2.1%
Black 1.8%
Asian 0.6%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

2526 SUNSET LN, Missoula, MT 59804

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Valley Christian School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Hellgate Elem Lower Grades (rated 8.1/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Big Sky High School (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Missoula, see our Missoula schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Porter Middle School Missoula 0.5 mi 5.0
FIRST LUTHERAN CLASSICAL SCHOOL Missoula 0.7 mi
Hawthorne School Missoula 0.8 mi 6.0
Franklin School Missoula 0.7 mi 5.7
Big Sky High School Missoula 0.9 mi 7.8
SUSSEX SCHOOL Missoula 1.0 mi 6.9
Meadow Hill Middle School Missoula 1.8 mi 7.0
GARDEN CITY MONTESSORI Missoula 1.5 mi
Russell School Missoula 1.6 mi 7.5
BRIGHTWAYS GLOBAL ACADEMY Missoula 1.9 mi 6.2
MISSOULA VALLEY MONTESSORI Missoula 2.2 mi
Sentinel High School Missoula 1.7 mi 5.4
MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Missoula 1.7 mi 7.9
Washington Middle School Missoula 1.7 mi 5.5
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Missoula 1.7 mi 6.9
LIGHTHOUSE BAPTIST ACADEMY Missoula 2.6 mi
Hellgate El Primary Grades Missoula 2.5 mi 7.3
Hellgate Elem Lower Grades Missoula 2.5 mi 8.1
Hellgate El Intermediate Missoula 2.6 mi 5.3
LOYOLA SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL Missoula 1.9 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59804 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,877

Median Home Value

$507,300

Median Rent

$1,138/mo

Population

7,942

College Educated

46.6%

Homeownership

65.1%

Poverty Rate

7.3%

Median Age

46.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Valley Christian School has a median household income of $74,877. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $507,300, with a median rent of $1,138/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ST ANDREW SCHOOL Helena, MT 6.2
HELENA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL East Helena, MT 5.6
STILLWATER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell, MT 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Valley Christian School

What grades does Valley Christian School serve?

Valley Christian School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Valley Christian School?

Valley Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 335 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Christian School?

The student-teacher ratio at Valley Christian School is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Valley Christian School rank in MT?

Valley Christian School is ranked #28 out of 60 private schools in MT.

What is Valley Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?

Valley Christian School has a composite rating of 6.8 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.

Is Valley Christian School a private school?

Yes, Valley Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Other Religious affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Valley Christian School a religious school?

Valley Christian School has a Other Religious religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,253/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Missoula). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
335
Gender Split
54% M / 46% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Other Religious
School Day
7.3 hours
Days Per Year
177 days
Setting
Small City
County
MISSOULA
Data Year
2022–2023

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.

Read our full methodology

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