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Columbia Falls Elementary School District

501 6th Ave West
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
(District boundaries shown in map)
7/
10
Top 50%

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 2026 school year, there are 3 public schools serving 1,505 students in Columbia Falls Elementary School District. This district's average testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Montana.
Public Schools in Columbia Falls Elementary School District have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Montana public school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Montana public school average of 24% (majority American Indian).

Overview

This School District
This State (MT)
# Schools
3 Schools
845 Schools
# Students
1,505 Students
147,515 Students
# Teachers
104 Teachers
10,737 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Columbia Falls Elementary School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 335 school districts in Montana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
This School District
State Average (MT)
#112 out of 350 school districts
(Top 50%)
34%
37%
47%
46%
41%
37%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.26
0.40
% American Indian
1%
10%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
6%
7%
% Black
n/a
1%
% White
86%
76%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $14,029 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,490. The school district revenue/student has grown by 15% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $21,068 is higher than the state median of $15,580. The school district spending/student has grown by 67% over four school years.
This School District
This State (MT)
Total Revenue
$21 MM
$2,285 MM
Spending
$32 MM
$2,298 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,029
$15,490
Spending / Student
$21,068
$15,580

Best Columbia Falls Elementary School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Columbia Falls Jr High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1805 Talbot Road
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
(406) 892-6530
Gr: 6-8 | 547 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #22.
Ruder Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1500 12th Avenue West
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
(406) 892-6570
Gr: PK-5 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #33.
Glacier Gateway Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
440 4th Avenue West
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
(406) 892-6540
Gr: PK-5 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Columbia Falls Elementary School District?
Columbia Falls Elementary School District manages 3 public schools serving 1,505 students.
What is the rank of Columbia Falls Elementary School District?
Columbia Falls Elementary School District is ranked #184 out of 335 school districts in Montana (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Montana school districts for: Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia Falls Elementary School District?
86% of Columbia Falls Elementary School District students are White, 7% of students are Two or more races, 6% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Columbia Falls Elementary School District?
Columbia Falls Elementary School District has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is equal to the Montana state average of 14:1.
What is Columbia Falls Elementary School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $21,068 is higher than the state median of $15,580. The school district spending/student has grown by 67% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 3 schools
  • Grades: PK-08
  • Enrollment: 1,505 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 14%
  • : Top 50% in MT
  • : 34% (Top 50%)
  • : 47% (Top 50%)
  • : 41% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MT Dept. of Education

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