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
Enrollment
661
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.2
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Whitefish Middle 5-8 — Students at Whitefish Middle 5-8 score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.8%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.1/10.
How Whitefish Middle 5-8 Compares
See how Whitefish Middle 5-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 49% (2019) to 51% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 65% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (406) 862-8650
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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