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 elementary schools serving 1,505 students in Columbia Falls Elementary School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Montana.
Public Elementary Schools in Columbia Falls Elementary School District have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Montana public elementary school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Montana public elementary school average of 24% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (MT)
# Schools
3 Schools
533 Schools
# Students
1,505 Students
95,343 Students
# Teachers
104 Teachers
6,870 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.
Overall District Rank
#112 out of 350 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
37%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
47%
46%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
37%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.26
0.41
% 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.
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 Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Columbia Falls Jr High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1805 Talbot Road
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
(406) 892-6530
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:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1500 12th Avenue West
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
(406) 892-6570
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:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
440 4th Avenue West
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
(406) 892-6540
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
(406) 892-6540
Gr: PK-5 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Recent Articles
How Public Schools Train Staff Each Year
Learn how public schools train staff each year through professional development, safety training, technology instruction, and ongoing educational support.
What Substitute Teachers Experience in Public Schools
Discover what substitute teachers experience in public schools, including daily responsibilities, challenges, rewards, and their role in student success.
How Teachers Collaborate Across Departments in Public Schools
Learn how teachers collaborate across departments to improve student outcomes, strengthen instruction, and prepare students for real-world success.
