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Average

#220 of 603 schools in MT

Top 36% in state

West Valley School

Elementary School · West Valley Elem

2290 Farm To Market Road, Kalispell, MT 59901

Enrollment

422

Student-Teacher

16.2:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kalispell

#8 of 22

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#127 of 319

In district

#1 of 2

West Valley Elem

Academic performance

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About West Valley School

West Valley School serves 422 students in prekindergarten through fourth grade in rural Kalispell, Montana. With 26 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the elementary years. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks impressively at #114 out of 605 Montana elementary schools, placing it in the 81st percentile statewide.

Students show consistent achievement across core subjects, with 57% scoring proficient or above in both English Language Arts and Math. This balanced performance reflects the school's commitment to foundational learning across essential academic areas. Located on Farm To Market Road, West Valley School serves a stable community where the median household income reaches $67,936 and home values average $371,600.

The surrounding area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 9.9%, and about one-third of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. These community characteristics contribute to a supportive educational environment for the school's young learners. The school's rural setting in Flathead County provides students with a close-knit learning environment while still being part of the larger Kalispell community of over 60,000 residents.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, West Valley 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 Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,202

West Valley School — Students at West Valley School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 56.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
54%
ELA
61%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
57%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How West Valley School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
64th percentile in MT
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
2.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

2290 Farm To Market Road, Kalispell, MT 59901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Valley School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST MATTHEW'S SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 5.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lillian Peterson School (rated 7.8/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Edgerton School (rated 7.1/10, 5.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Kalispell, see our Kalispell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.2 mi
School Distance Rating
West Valley Middle School Kalispell 0.0 mi 6.9
Smith Valley Primary Schl Kalispell 4.5 mi 6.9
Smith Valley 7-8 Kalispell 4.5 mi 4.7
Glacier High School Kalispell 3.4 mi 6.3
Kalispell Middle School Kalispell 4.3 mi 5.8
ONESCHOOL GLOBAL KALISPELL CAMPUS Kalispell 4.6 mi
ROCKY MOUNTAIN EDUCATION Kalispell 4.6 mi
Lillian Peterson School Kalispell 5.2 mi 7.8
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kalispell 5.1 mi 4.9
Russell School Kalispell 5.1 mi 5.8
Edgerton School Kalispell 5.1 mi 7.1
Elrod School Kalispell 5.6 mi 5.9
Flathead High School Kalispell 5.7 mi 6.9
ST MATTHEW'S SCHOOL Kalispell 5.9 mi 8.0
Kila 7-8 Kila 8.3 mi 8.6
Kila School Kila 8.3 mi 3.1
Cornelius Hedges School Kalispell 6.2 mi 5.3
WOODLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kalispell 6.1 mi
Jeannette Rankin Elementary Sc Kalispell 6.9 mi 6.6
Bissell School Whitefish 9.2 mi 7.0

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 West Valley School 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
Arrowhead School Billings, MT 6.9
Hardin Intermediate Hardin, MT 6.9
Hardin Primary Hardin, MT 6.9
Lockwood Intermediate Lockwood, MT 6.9
Orchard School Billings, MT 6.9
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Missoula, MT 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Valley School

What grades does West Valley School serve?

West Valley School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend West Valley School?

West Valley School has an enrollment of approximately 422 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at West Valley School is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Valley School rank in MT?

West Valley School is ranked #220 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is West Valley School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Valley School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Valley School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Valley School has 56.0% math proficiency and 60.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Valley School a charter school?

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

Is West Valley School a Title I school?

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

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

29.9% of students at West Valley 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,532/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
422
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Flathead County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Valley Elem
District Enrollment
764
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,310
District Rank
#1 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.

Read our full methodology

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