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Excellent

#4 of 603 schools in MT

Top 1% in state

West Glacier School

Elementary School · West Glacier Elem

PO Box 309, West Glacier, MT 59936

Enrollment

73

Student-Teacher

10.4:1

Score

9.4

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Montana elementary schools

#4 of 319

Academic performance

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About West Glacier School

West Glacier School serves 73 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in West Glacier, Montana. The school earns a composite score of 9.4 out of 10, placing it in the Exceptional tier — and the ranking data backs that label. West Glacier sits 4th out of 603 public schools across Montana, outperforming every other public school in the state by the platform's scoring model.

Small enrollment drives a concrete advantage. With a 10.4-to-1 student-teacher ratio, teachers carry a fraction of the caseloads typical in larger schools, and the outcomes reflect that. Academic performance scores 9.8 out of 10 while growth scores 9.7 — both numbers placing this school near the ceiling of what Montana elementary programs achieve.

Students here don't just test well; they gain measurably more ground year over year than peers statewide. Among 319 public elementary schools in Montana, West Glacier ranks 4th. For families evaluating elementary options in the state, that combination of academic strength, student growth, and individual attention is difficult to match.

The data points to a program performing at the top of its class, consistently.

What's said publicly about West Glacier School

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

West Glacier Elementary (WGE) is a single-school district, designated as Montana’s School District #8, serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade 1 . The school operates on a four-day week schedule, with classes held Monday through Thursday from 7:40 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. 1 . Instruction takes place in three multi-grade classrooms and a dedicated kindergarten classroom, offering a full-day kindergarten program 1 . The academic calendar is aligned closely with that of Columbia Falls School District #6 1 . Located across the Middle Fork of the Flathead River from the entrance to Glacier National Park, the school serves a supportive community 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.westglacierelementary.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 73 students, West Glacier School 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.

Located in a rural area, West Glacier School 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 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+4.78 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.8Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.5%
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected+23.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,172

West Glacier School — Students at West Glacier School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

4.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 62.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 69.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How West Glacier School Compares

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

Overall Score
9.4/10
100th percentile in MT
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
4%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

PO Box 309, West Glacier, MT 59936

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Glacier School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fair-Mont-Egan School (rated 8.9/10, 23.5 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), with a comparable rating. Another option is Deer Park School (rated 8.1/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Columbia Falls), a more accessible option. Additionally, East Evergreen School (rated 6.8/10, 22.6 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), a more accessible option. For more schools in West Glacier, see our West Glacier schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 27.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Glacier Gateway Elem Columbia Falls 12.8 mi 4.6
Columbia Falls High Schl Columbia Falls 13.3 mi 5.8
Ruder Elementary Columbia Falls 13.6 mi 5.4
Columbia Falls Jr HS Columbia Falls 13.9 mi 5.4
Deer Park School Columbia Falls 16.8 mi 8.1
Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls 16.8 mi 4.8
Cayuse Prairie School Kalispell 19.8 mi 5.9
Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell 19.8 mi 7.5
Creston School Kalispell 22.5 mi 5.3
L A Muldown School Whitefish 17.0 mi 6.7
Whitefish High School Whitefish 17.1 mi 7.7
VALLEY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell 20.3 mi
WHITEFISH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Whitefish 17.2 mi 6.2
Whitefish Middle 5-8 Whitefish 17.3 mi 7.2
Helena Flats School Kalispell 21.0 mi 4.2
Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell 21.0 mi 3.9
Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell 23.5 mi 8.9
Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell 23.5 mi 8.1
East Evergreen School Kalispell 22.6 mi 6.8
Swan River School Bigfork 27.8 mi 3.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59936 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,031

Median Home Value

$562,500

Median Rent

$798/mo

Population

679

College Educated

48.7%

Homeownership

69.5%

Poverty Rate

17.2%

Median Age

44.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Glacier School has a median household income of $87,031. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $562,500, with a median rent of $798/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Plevna School Plevna, MT 9.3
DeSmet School Missoula, MT 9.6
Fromberg School Fromberg, MT 9.2
Twin Bridges School Twin Bridges, MT 9.2
Lustre School Frazer, MT 9.1
Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell, MT 8.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Glacier School

What grades does West Glacier School serve?

West Glacier School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend West Glacier School?

West Glacier School has an enrollment of approximately 73 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Glacier School?

The student-teacher ratio at West Glacier School is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Glacier School rank in MT?

West Glacier School is ranked #4 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is West Glacier School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Glacier School has a composite rating of 9.4 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 Glacier School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Glacier School has 62.8% math proficiency and 69.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Glacier School a charter school?

No, West Glacier School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is West Glacier School a Title I school?

No, West Glacier School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Glacier School?

4.1% of students at West Glacier 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
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (776/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
73
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
4.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Flathead County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Glacier Elem
District Enrollment
73
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,403
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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