Below Average
#510 of 603 schools in MT
West Elementary
Elementary School · Great Falls Elem
PO Box 2429, Great Falls, MT 59403
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Great Falls
#18 of 19
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#276 of 319
In district
#17 of 17
Great Falls Elem
About West Elementary
West Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the small city of Great Falls, Montana. Serving preschool through sixth grade, West Elementary has an enrollment of 463 students and employs 31 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.9:1. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.8 out of 10, placing it at the 15th percentile among Montana schools with a state ranking of #516 out of 605.
While academic performance metrics show areas for improvement—only 32% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading and 21% in Math—the school continues to focus on student development. West Elementary provides a supportive learning environment with dedicated teachers who work closely with each child, ensuring individual attention is given where needed most. West Elementary sits within the heart of Great Falls, offering students access to local resources and community events that enhance their educational experience.
The school's setting in a small city fosters a tight-knit community atmosphere, making it a welcoming place for families seeking a strong sense of belonging.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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West Elementary — Students at West Elementary score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.4%
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: 4.8/10.
How West Elementary Compares
See how West Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 16% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 31% (2022).
Location
PO Box 2429, Great Falls, MT 59403
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Giant Springs Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Valley View School (rated 5.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Great Falls, see our Great Falls schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Valley View School Great Falls | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| C M Russell High School Great Falls | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Riverview School Great Falls | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Meadow Lark School Great Falls | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Whittier School Great Falls | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Sacajawea School Great Falls | 2.3 mi | 4.9 |
| North Middle School Great Falls | 2.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Longfellow School Great Falls | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Great Falls | 2.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Great Falls High School Great Falls | 2.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Sunnyside School Great Falls | 3.1 mi | 5.3 |
| FOOTHILLS COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Great Falls | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Lincoln School Great Falls | 3.4 mi | 5.3 |
| GREAT FALLS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Great Falls | 3.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Giant Springs Elementary Great Falls | 3.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Mountain View School Great Falls | 4.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Lewis & Clark School Great Falls | 4.3 mi | 5.3 |
| MT Sch For Deaf & Blnd HS Great Falls | 4.4 mi | — |
| MT Sch For Deaf & Blnd El Great Falls | 4.4 mi | — |
| East Middle School Great Falls | 4.5 mi | 6.9 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Browning Elementary Browning, MT | 4.8 |
| Elder Grove School Billings, MT | 4.8 |
| K William Harvey Elem Ronan, MT | 4.7 |
| Libby Elementary School Libby, MT | 4.7 |
| Ponderosa School Billings, MT | 4.7 |
| Stevensville K-6 Stevensville, MT | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Elementary
What grades does West Elementary serve?
West Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend West Elementary?
West Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 463 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at West Elementary is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Elementary rank in MT?
West Elementary is ranked #510 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is West Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
West Elementary has a composite rating of 4.8 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 West Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Elementary has 20.7% math proficiency and 32.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Elementary a charter school?
No, West Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Elementary a Title I school?
No, West Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Elementary?
86.4% of students at West Elementary 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 (4,026/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Great Falls). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 463
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 86.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Cascade County
- Phone
- (406) 268-7180
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Great Falls Elem- District Enrollment
- 6,899
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,146
- District Rank
- #17 of 17
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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