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Needs Improvement

#602 of 603 schools in MT

Whittier School

Elementary School · Great Falls Elem

PO Box 2429, Great Falls, MT 59403

Enrollment

189

Student-Teacher

9.9:1

Score

2.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#602 of 603

In Great Falls

#19 of 19

public schools

In district

#17 of 17

Great Falls Elem

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Whittier School

2.5/10

Elementary School in Great Falls · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Longfellow School

4.0/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School

7.9/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Whittier School

Whittier School is a public elementary school in Great Falls, MT, part of Great Falls Elem. Whittier School serves approximately 189 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Whittier School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and ranks #602 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Whittier School show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares3.0 pts below district
  • This school 2.5 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.5
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 189 students, Whittier School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 9.9:1 students to teachers, Whittier School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

87% of students at Whittier School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.69 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.4Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-15.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
Resources & Environment1.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,146
Chronic Absenteeism87.3%

Whittier School — Students at Whittier School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 24.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Whittier School Compares

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

Overall Score
2.5/10
0th percentile in MT
Academic
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
87.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO Box 2429, Great Falls, MT 59403

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Whittier School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Meadow Lark School (rated 7.8/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Giant Springs Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Great Falls, see our Great Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Longfellow School Great Falls 0.8 mi 4.0
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Great Falls 0.8 mi 7.9
North Middle School Great Falls 1.4 mi 7.5
Great Falls High School Great Falls 1.0 mi 3.9
Sacajawea School Great Falls 1.6 mi 6.2
FOOTHILLS COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Great Falls 1.2 mi 7.1
Riverview School Great Falls 1.4 mi 6.6
C M Russell High School Great Falls 1.4 mi 5.1
Sunnyside School Great Falls 1.8 mi 5.6
Lincoln School Great Falls 1.7 mi 5.0
Valley View School Great Falls 1.7 mi 5.0
West Elementary Great Falls 1.8 mi 2.7
Giant Springs Elementary Great Falls 1.9 mi 7.6
GREAT FALLS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Great Falls 2.4 mi 6.6
Meadow Lark School Great Falls 2.4 mi 7.8
Lewis & Clark School Great Falls 2.5 mi 4.5
Mountain View School Great Falls 2.7 mi 3.9
MT Sch For Deaf & Blnd HS Great Falls 2.5 mi
MT Sch For Deaf & Blnd El Great Falls 2.5 mi
East Middle School Great Falls 2.7 mi 6.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
H C Davis Elementary Cut Bank, MT 2.6
Victor School Victor, MT 3.1
Rose Park School Billings, MT 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Whittier School

What grades does Whittier School serve?

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

How many students attend Whittier School?

Whittier School has an enrollment of approximately 189 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Whittier School?

The student-teacher ratio at Whittier School is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Whittier School rank in MT?

Whittier School ranks #602 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Whittier School's MySchoolScout rating?

Whittier School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Whittier School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Whittier School has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Whittier School a charter school?

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

Is Whittier School a Title I school?

No, Whittier School is not currently a Title I school.

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

99.5% of students at Whittier 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
84 Very Walkable
Bike Score
60 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
189
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Cascade County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
87.3%

District

Great Falls Elem
District Enrollment
6,899
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,146
District Rank
#17 of 17

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