West Valley School

Q: Is West Valley School a good school?

West Valley School ranks 63 rd of 332 Montana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

West Valley School is an elementary school in Kalispell, Montana, serving 424 students in grades PK-4 and part of the Kalispell Elementary District, which is ranked 46 out of 300 districts in the state.

West Valley School consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in Montana, with proficiency rates in Mathematics and Reading that significantly exceed the state averages. In 2022-2023, 57.06% of students were proficient or better in Mathematics, compared to the state average of 36.59%, and 54.24% were proficient or better in Reading, compared to the state average of 46.03%. The school's performance is also consistently higher than the district-level scores, indicating it is a strong performer within its own district. However, the school has a predominantly white student population, with only 8.25% of students identifying as non-white, which is notably different from some of the nearby schools, such as Jeannette Rankin Elementary and Russell School, which have more diverse student populations.

West Valley School also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 14.7 students per teacher, which is lower than the nearby schools, which range from 12.4 to 17.6 students per teacher. However, the school's spending per student ($7,793 in 2018-2019) is lower than some of the nearby schools, such as Jeannette Rankin Elementary ($8,960) and Russell School ($11,373), which may contribute to the variations in academic performance and other resources available to students across the schools.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-4

2290 Farm To Market Road
Kalispell, MT 59901

(406) 755-7239

District: West Valley Elementary

SchoolDigger Rank:
63^rd of 332 Montana Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $12,499

Students who attend West Valley School usually attend:

Middle:	West Valley Middle School
High:	Glacier High School

Student/teacher ratio: 15.7

Number of students: 422

Racial breakdown:

White:

90.3%

Two or more races:

4.3%

Hispanic:

3.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 29.9%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details West Valley School ranks better than 81% of elementary schools in Montana. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 80.53. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (90.3%), two or more races (4.3%), Hispanic (3.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 29.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at West Valley School is 15.7. (See more...)

Compare West Valley School employs 26.8 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at West Valley School is $12,499.

Schooldigger Rankings:

West Valley School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

West Valley Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks West Valley Elementary 46^th of 300 Montana school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for West Valley School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MT State Percentile
2004	31.66	161^st	217	25.8%
2005	27.43	180^th	218	17.4%
2006	50.94	133^rd	234	43.2%
2007	55.18	118^th	230	48.7%
2008	53.19	103^rd	194	46.9%
2009	54.04	108^th	190	43.2%
2010	65.25	80^th	241	66.8%
2011	79.14	21^st	247	91.5%
2012	61.80	92^nd	244	62.3%
2013	71.14	56^th	246	77.2%
2015	75.63	79^th	287	72.5%
2016	58.56	78^th	191	59.2%
2017	60.52	46^th	109	57.8%
2018	67.04	33^rd	116	71.6%
2019	65.96	39^th	123	68.3%
2021	84.77	62^nd	356	82.6%
2022	85.95	58^th	329	82.4%
2023	80.53	63^rd	332	81.0%

See the entire list of Montana Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Montana Office of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Montana Office of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Monday, January 24, 2011

They seem to be behind the city schools in reading, math, and science. I think the faculty is wonderful however. The lady that runs the office is the nicest person you'll ever meet. Close Quote

Enrollment information for West Valley School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1990	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	240	240
1991	198	0	1	2	3	n/a	n/a	0	204
1992	165	0	0	0	1	n/a	n/a	0	166
1993	172	3	2	0	1	n/a	n/a	0	178
1994	183	1	4	1	1	n/a	n/a	0	190
1995	192	0	5	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	202
1996	192	0	5	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	202
1997	195	1	7	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	208
1998	193	0	7	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	203
1999	186	0	4	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	193
2000	197	0	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	199
2001	207	0	1	0	2	n/a	n/a	0	210
2002	210	0	0	2	2	n/a	n/a	0	214
2003	210	0	0	2	2	n/a	n/a	0	214
2004	218	0	0	2	2	n/a	n/a	0	222
2005	236	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	236
2006	243	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	243
2007	232	0	1	2	1	n/a	n/a	0	236
2008	258	0	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	259
2009	264	0	5	3	2	n/a	n/a	0	274
2010	291	0	4	2	5	n/a	n/a	0	302
2011	313	2	3	8	2	0	2	0	330
2012	327	2	3	7	3	0	1	0	343
2013	341	2	4	8	3	0	3	0	361
2014	354	1	5	8	2	0	5	0	375
2015	370	2	4	10	3	0	3	0	392
2016	377	2	2	8	1	0	3	0	393
2017	378	2	2	7	1	1	6	0	397
2018	377	3	2	13	6	1	10	0	412
2019	393	0	3	11	2	1	10	0	420
2020	437	0	3	11	4	1	9	0	465
2021	438	0	4	13	5	1	13	0	474
2022	391	0	5	14	4	0	10	0	424
2023	389	0	3	13	4	0	15	0	424
2024	381	0	3	15	5	0	18	0	422

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at West Valley School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	240	11.1	21.6	n/a
1991	204	9.3	21.9	0
1992	166	9.4	17.6	n/a
1993	178	9.5	18.7	0
1994	190	10.3	18.4	0
1995	202	11.3	17.9	0
1996	202	11.3	17.9	0
1997	208	11.9	17.5	0
1998	203	11.9	17.1	0
1999	193	11.9	16.2	n/a
2000	199	11.9	16.7	n/a
2001	210	14.7	14.3	0
2002	214	13.4	16.0	0
2003	214	13.4	16.0	0
2004	222	14.2	15.6	0
2005	236	14.8	15.9	37.7
2006	243	15.6	15.6	27.6
2007	236	15.8	14.9	19.5
2008	259	17.8	14.6	20.5
2009	274	18.6	14.7	20.4
2010	302	19.3	15.6	28.8
2011	330	20.5	16.0	30.3
2012	343	21.5	15.9	31.2
2013	361	23.6	15.2	26.9
2014	375	24.6	15.2	21.9
2015	392	26.0	15.0	21.2
2016	393	24.0	16.3	23.7
2017	397	25.6	15.5	27.5
2018	412	26.2	15.7	32.5
2019	420	25.3	16.5	30.2
2020	465	28.2	16.4	25.8
2021	474	30.1	15.7	n/a
2022	424	31.9	13.2	n/a
2023	424	28.6	14.7	n/a
2024	422	26.8	15.7	29.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio West Valley School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	240	11.1	21.6	n/a
1991	204	9.3	21.9	0
1992	166	9.4	17.6	n/a
1993	178	9.5	18.7	0
1994	190	10.3	18.4	0
1995	202	11.3	17.9	0
1996	202	11.3	17.9	0
1997	208	11.9	17.5	0
1998	203	11.9	17.1	0
1999	193	11.9	16.2	n/a
2000	199	11.9	16.7	n/a
2001	210	14.7	14.3	0
2002	214	13.4	16.0	0
2003	214	13.4	16.0	0
2004	222	14.2	15.6	0
2005	236	14.8	15.9	37.7
2006	243	15.6	15.6	27.6
2007	236	15.8	14.9	19.5
2008	259	17.8	14.6	20.5
2009	274	18.6	14.7	20.4
2010	302	19.3	15.6	28.8
2011	330	20.5	16.0	30.3
2012	343	21.5	15.9	31.2
2013	361	23.6	15.2	26.9
2014	375	24.6	15.2	21.9
2015	392	26.0	15.0	21.2
2016	393	24.0	16.3	23.7
2017	397	25.6	15.5	27.5
2018	412	26.2	15.7	32.5
2019	420	25.3	16.5	30.2
2020	465	28.2	16.4	25.8
2021	474	30.1	15.7	n/a
2022	424	31.9	13.2	n/a
2023	424	28.6	14.7	n/a
2024	422	26.8	15.7	29.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for West Valley School

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2019	$7,792
2021	$11,017
2022	$14,575
2023	$12,499

Data source: Montana Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on West Valley School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 39^th of 123 Elementary schools	Ranks 63^rd of 332 Elementary schools	12.7%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	420	424	1%
African American	0	0
American Indian	2	4	100%
Asian	3	3
Hispanic	11	13	18.2%
Pacific Islander	1	0	100%
White	393	389	1%
Two or More Races	10	15	50%

Schools Near West Valley School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2023)				Ranking (2022)				Montana State Tests Mathematics (2023)	Montana State Tests Reading (2023)	Montana State Tests Science (2023)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	SchoolDigger Rating (2023)	Average Standard Score (2022)	Statewide Rank (2022)	State Percentile (2022)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Montana State Tests Mathematics All Grades	Montana State Tests Reading All Grades	Montana State Tests Science All Grades	Total
West Valley School	Public	PK, KG-4	2290 Farm To Market Road	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	West Valley Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 755-7239	422	27	15.7	29.9%	381 (90.3%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.6%)	3 (0.7%)	5 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (4.3%)	80.5	63^rd of 332 public elementary schools	81.0%		85.9	58^th of 329 public elementary schools	82.4%	5	57.1	54.2		$12,499
Smith Valley Primary School	Public	PK, KG-6	2901 Hwy 2 West	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	Smith Valley Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 756-4535	155	12	13.2	51.0%	142 (91.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	1 (0.6%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (6.5%)	29.2	257^th of 332 public elementary schools	22.6%		44.3	220^th of 329 public elementary schools	33.1%	37	24.7	31.8	29.6	$10,717
Edgerton School	Public	PK, KG-5	1400 Whitefish Stage	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	Kalispell Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 751-4040	509	29	17.5	30.5%	443 (87.0%)	5 (1.0%)	23 (4.5%)	5 (1.0%)	6 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (5.3%)	81.7	57^th of 332 public elementary schools	82.8%		88.8	36^th of 329 public elementary schools	89.1%	21	56.1	54.0	53.9	$10,761
Russell School	Public	PK, KG-5	227 West Nevada	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	Kalispell Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 751-3900	216	16	13.5	100.0%	181 (83.8%)	1 (0.5%)	9 (4.2%)	2 (0.9%)	4 (1.9%)	1 (0.5%)	18 (8.3%)	76.8	80^th of 332 public elementary schools	75.9%		80.9	75^th of 329 public elementary schools	77.2%	5	47.5	51.0	56.8	$12,659
Lillian Peterson School	Public	PK, KG-5	1119 2nd Street W	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	Kalispell Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 751-3737	351	21	16.7	53.3%	305 (86.9%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (5.7%)	4 (1.1%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.4%)	77.5	77^th of 332 public elementary schools	76.8%		88.2	39^th of 329 public elementary schools	88.1%	38	53.3	50.0	53.1	$10,506
Elrod School	Public	PK, KG-5	412 3rd Avenue W	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	Kalispell Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 751-3700	211	18	11.7	100.0%	172 (81.5%)	1 (0.5%)	17 (8.1%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	18 (8.5%)	51.5	183^rd of 332 public elementary schools	44.9%		38.3	242^nd of 329 public elementary schools	26.4%	59	36.5	43.9	36.7	$13,056
Cornelius Hedges School	Public	PK, KG-5	827 4th Avenue E	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	Kalispell Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 751-4090	320	21	15.2	49.7%	273 (85.3%)	1 (0.3%)	18 (5.6%)	4 (1.3%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	21 (6.6%)	72.8	92^nd of 332 public elementary schools	72.3%		61.7	146^th of 329 public elementary schools	55.6%	54	47.8	63.0	38.5	$13,278
Jeannette Rankin Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2155 Airport Road	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	Kalispell Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 751-3400	426	25	17.0	100.0%	372 (87.3%)	1 (0.2%)	23 (5.4%)	1 (0.2%)	4 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	24 (5.6%)	67	115^th of 332 public elementary schools	65.4%		68.9	120^th of 329 public elementary schools	63.5%	5	52.7	56.6	32.2	$11,308
East Evergreen School	Public	PK, KG-4	585 E. Evergreen	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	Evergreen Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 751-1121	351	27	13.2	100.0%	289 (82.3%)	2 (0.6%)	32 (9.1%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.9%)	2 (0.6%)	23 (6.6%)	38.3	230^th of 332 public elementary schools	30.7%		57.8	158^th of 329 public elementary schools	52.0%	72	35.9	31.7		$14,696
Helena Flats School	Public	PK, KG-6	1000 Helena Flats Road	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	Helena Flats Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 257-2301	240	16	15.2	18.8%	221 (92.1%)	1 (0.4%)	6 (2.5%)	5 (2.1%)	3 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.7%)	54.4	169^th of 332 public elementary schools	49.1%		35.5	250^th of 329 public elementary schools	24.0%	81	30.0	50.0	40.9	$8,998

Frequently Asked Questions about West Valley School

How many students attend West Valley School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 422 students attended West Valley School.

What is the racial makeup of West Valley School?

Students at West Valley School are 90% White, 4% Two or more races, 4% Hispanic, 1% American Indian.

Is West Valley School a good school?

West Valley School ranks 63^rd of 332 Montana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of West Valley School attend?

Students who attend West Valley School usually go on to attend:

Middle : West Valley Middle School
High : Glacier High School

What district is West Valley School in?

West Valley Elementary

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Montana Office of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.