Top Rankings
Columbia Falls Elementary School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Montana for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 2 public preschools serving 1,042 students in Columbia Falls Elementary School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public pre schools in Montana.
Public Preschools in Columbia Falls Elementary School District have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the Montana public pre school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Montana public preschool average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (MT)
# Schools
3 Schools
395 Schools
# Students
1,585 Students
65,251 Students
# Teachers
108 Teachers
4,856 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Columbia Falls Elementary School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 347 school districts in Montana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
Overall District Rank
#194 out of 350 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
31%
35%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
47%
46%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
37%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.26
0.40
% American Indian
1%
10%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
6%
6%
% Black
n/a
1%
% White
86%
77%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,321 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,263. The school district revenue/student has declined by 9% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $20,004 is higher than the state median of $15,352. The school district spending/student has declined by 9% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$21 MM
$2,285 MM
Spending
$32 MM
$2,298 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,321
$15,263
Spending / Student
$20,004
$15,352
Best Columbia Falls Elementary School District Public Preschools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Ruder Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1500 12th Avenue West
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
(406) 892-6570
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
(406) 892-6570
Grades: PK-5
| 546 students
Rank: #22.
Glacier Gateway Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
440 4th Avenue West
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
(406) 892-6540
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
(406) 892-6540
Grades: PK-5
| 496 students
Recent Articles
Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.
Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.
