Skip to main content

Very Good

#112 of 603 schools in MT

Top 18% in state

Whitefish High School

High School · Whitefish H S

600 East Second Street, Whitefish, MT 59937

Enrollment

630

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

7.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Whitefish

#1 of 4

public schools

Montana high schools

#22 of 141

Academic performance

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Whitefish High School

Whitefish High School serves 630 students in grades 9-12 in the scenic mountain town of Whitefish, Montana. With 42 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a comfortable 15.0:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for meaningful connections between educators and students. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating and ranking 133rd out of 605 high schools statewide, placing it in the 78th percentile.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts and reading, with 62% achieving proficient or above levels. Mathematics presents an area for continued growth, with 42% of students reaching proficiency standards. Whitefish High School draws from a well-educated community where 52% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $73,233.

The relatively low poverty rate of 7.9% reflects the area's economic stability, though the median home value of $612,500 indicates a high cost of living typical of desirable mountain communities. Located at 600 East Second Street, the school sits in the heart of this remote town setting, where students benefit from both the close-knit community atmosphere and the natural beauty of northwestern Montana's Flathead County region.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.4Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected+6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College Readiness9.4Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation22.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.2Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,111

Whitefish High School — Students at Whitefish High School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 62.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
62%

* 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: 6.3/10.

How Whitefish High School Compares

See how Whitefish High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
82th percentile in MT
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

Location

600 East Second Street, Whitefish, MT 59937

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Whitefish High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Glacier High School (rated 6.3/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), a more accessible option. Additionally, Columbia Falls High Schl (rated 5.8/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Columbia Falls), a more accessible option. For more schools in Whitefish, see our Whitefish schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.4 mi
School Distance Rating
L A Muldown School Whitefish 0.2 mi 6.7
WHITEFISH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Whitefish 0.3 mi 6.2
Whitefish Middle 5-8 Whitefish 0.5 mi 7.2
Columbia Falls Jr HS Columbia Falls 6.3 mi 5.4
Ruder Elementary Columbia Falls 6.6 mi 5.4
Bissell School Whitefish 6.6 mi 7.0
Bissell 7-8 Whitefish 6.6 mi
Columbia Falls High Schl Columbia Falls 6.8 mi 5.8
Glacier Gateway Elem Columbia Falls 6.8 mi 4.6
VALLEY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell 10.3 mi
Helena Flats School Kalispell 11.0 mi 4.2
Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell 11.0 mi 3.9
Glacier High School Kalispell 11.7 mi 6.3
Edgerton School Kalispell 12.3 mi 7.1
Evergreen Junior High Kalispell 12.9 mi 6.2
Kalispell Middle School Kalispell 13.2 mi 5.8
Deer Park School Columbia Falls 10.7 mi 8.1
Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls 10.7 mi 4.8
West Valley School Kalispell 12.4 mi 6.9
West Valley Middle School Kalispell 12.4 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59937 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,512

Median Home Value

$654,800

Median Rent

$1,335/mo

Population

14,653

College Educated

50.9%

Homeownership

72.3%

Avg Commute

17.9 min

Poverty Rate

8.4%

Median Age

47.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Whitefish High School has a median household income of $75,512. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $654,800, with a median rent of $1,335/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. 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
Hamilton High School Hamilton, MT 7.5
Laurel High School Laurel, MT 6.8
Sidney High School Sidney, MT 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Whitefish High School

What grades does Whitefish High School serve?

Whitefish High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Whitefish High School?

Whitefish High School has an enrollment of approximately 630 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Whitefish High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Whitefish High School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Whitefish High School rank in MT?

Whitefish High School is ranked #112 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Whitefish High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Whitefish High School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Whitefish High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whitefish High School has 45.3% math proficiency and 62.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Whitefish High School a charter school?

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

Is Whitefish High School a Title I school?

No, Whitefish High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whitefish High School?

23.8% of students at Whitefish High 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
62 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
57 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,213/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
630
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Flathead County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Whitefish H S
District Enrollment
630
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,611
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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.