Skip to main content

Very Good

#173 of 603 schools in MT

Top 29% in state

Whitefish Middle 5-8

Middle School · Whitefish Elem

600 East Second Street, Whitefish, MT 59937

Enrollment

661

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

7.2

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Whitefish

#2 of 4

public schools

Montana middle schools

#33 of 143

In district

#1 of 2

Whitefish Elem

Academic performance

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Whitefish Middle 5-8

Whitefish Middle 5-8 serves 661 students in grades five through eight in the charming mountain town of Whitefish, Montana. With 43 full-time teachers maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment that has earned recognition as one of Montana's top-performing middle schools. The school ranks #93 out of 605 schools statewide, placing it in the 85th percentile with a strong MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10.

Academic achievement is particularly notable, with an impressive 9.0 academic score reflecting solid student performance across core subjects. In English Language Arts and reading, 65% of students demonstrate proficiency or above, while 51% achieve proficiency in mathematics. Located at 600 East Second Street, Whitefish Middle serves a well-educated community where 52% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding neighborhood reflects a stable, family-oriented environment with a median household income of $73,233 and a low poverty rate of 7.9%. The school operates in Montana's remote town setting, where students benefit from small-town values while receiving a quality education that prepares them well for high school and beyond. This combination of academic excellence and mountain community charm makes Whitefish Middle an appealing choice for families in the scenic Flathead County region.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.89 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65%
Overall Proficiency58%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,144

Whitefish Middle 5-8 — Students at Whitefish Middle 5-8 score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 46.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 64.7%
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
49%
ELA
70%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
59%
2022
Math
51%
ELA
65%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Whitefish Middle 5-8 Compares

See how Whitefish Middle 5-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
72th percentile in MT
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers

Location

600 East Second Street, Whitefish, MT 59937

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Whitefish Middle 5-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. West Valley Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), with a very similar rating. Another option is Evergreen Junior High (rated 6.2/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Kalispell Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), a more accessible option. For more schools in Whitefish, see our Whitefish schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Whitefish High School Whitefish 0.5 mi 7.7
WHITEFISH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Whitefish 0.7 mi 6.2
L A Muldown School Whitefish 0.7 mi 6.7
Bissell School Whitefish 6.4 mi 7.0
Bissell 7-8 Whitefish 6.4 mi
Columbia Falls Jr HS Columbia Falls 6.7 mi 5.4
Ruder Elementary Columbia Falls 7.0 mi 5.4
Columbia Falls High Schl Columbia Falls 7.3 mi 5.8
Glacier Gateway Elem Columbia Falls 7.2 mi 4.6
VALLEY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell 10.8 mi
Glacier High School Kalispell 11.9 mi 6.3
Helena Flats School Kalispell 11.4 mi 4.2
Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell 11.4 mi 3.9
Edgerton School Kalispell 12.7 mi 7.1
West Valley School Kalispell 12.5 mi 6.9
West Valley Middle School Kalispell 12.5 mi 6.9
Kalispell Middle School Kalispell 13.5 mi 5.8
Evergreen Junior High Kalispell 13.2 mi 6.2
East Evergreen School Kalispell 13.3 mi 6.8
Deer Park School Columbia Falls 11.2 mi 8.1

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 Middle 5-8 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
Sacajawea Middle School Bozeman, MT 7.2
Meadow Hill Middle School Missoula, MT 7.0
East Middle School Great Falls, MT 6.9
Chief Joseph Middle School Bozeman, MT 6.6
Laurel Middle School Laurel, MT 6.4
North Middle School Great Falls, MT 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Whitefish Middle 5-8

What grades does Whitefish Middle 5-8 serve?

Whitefish Middle 5-8 serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Whitefish Middle 5-8?

Whitefish Middle 5-8 has an enrollment of approximately 661 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Whitefish Middle 5-8?

The student-teacher ratio at Whitefish Middle 5-8 is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Whitefish Middle 5-8 rank in MT?

Whitefish Middle 5-8 is ranked #173 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Whitefish Middle 5-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Whitefish Middle 5-8 has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Middle 5-8?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whitefish Middle 5-8 has 46.7% math proficiency and 64.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Whitefish Middle 5-8 a charter school?

No, Whitefish Middle 5-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Whitefish Middle 5-8 a Title I school?

No, Whitefish Middle 5-8 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whitefish Middle 5-8?

27.8% of students at Whitefish Middle 5-8 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
85 Very Walkable
Bike Score
75 Very 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
5th – 8th
Enrollment
661
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
27.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Flathead County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Whitefish Elem
District Enrollment
1,333
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,488
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

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.