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Glacier Gateway Elementary School

440 4th Avenue West
Columbia Falls, MT 59912

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Bottom 50%

Tel: (406) 892-6540

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Serving 471 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, Glacier Gateway Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Montana for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).

The percentage of students achieving is 30% (which is lower than the Montana state average of 37%). The percentage of students achieving is 32% (which is lower than the Montana state average of 46%).

The student-teacher ratio of 14:1 is higher than the Montana state level of 12:1.

Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Montana state average of 24% (majority American Indian).

Quick Facts (26-27)

Grades: Prekindergarten-5
Enrollment: 471 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
Minority Enrollment: 14%
: Bottom 50% in MT
: 30% (Btm 50%)
: 32% (Btm 50%)
: 30-34% (Btm 50%)
: Glacier Gateway Elementary's attendance zone encompasses the entire school district of Columbia Falls, MT, covering an extensive area of approximately 2,682 square miles. Families within this zone can typically expect a 20-30 minute drive to the school, with average distances from the school to the zone's edge reaching about 43 miles and extending up to 72.2 miles at its furthest point.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MT Dept. of Education

School Overview

Glacier Gateway Elementary School's student population of 471 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

The teacher population of 33 teachers has declined by 5% over five school years.

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-5
(No virtual instruction)

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Glacier Gateway Elementary School
Pre-K	11
Kind	69
1	80
2	81
3	85
4	69
5	76

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Total Students

471 students

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Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓

Total Students Trends (1987-2025)
Year	Glacier Gateway Elementary School
2025	471
2024	496
2023	473
2022	502
2021	466
2020	493
2019	486
2018	513
2017	502
2016	481
2015	481
2014	479
2013	466
2012	462
2011	445
2010	441
2009	450
2008	460
2007	422
2006	413
2005	414
2004	408
2003	412
2002	387
2001	406
2000	421
1999	427
1998	416
1997	228
1996	277
1995	282
1994	293
1993	331
1992	333
1991	310
1990	453
1989	593
1988	292
1987	344

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Total Classroom Teachers

33 teachers

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Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓

Total Classroom Teachers Trends (1987-2025)
Year	Glacier Gateway Elementary School
2025	33
2024	34
2023	35
2022	34
2021	35
2020	33
2019	31
2018	31
2017	31
2016	32
2015	29
2014	31
2013	30
2012	28
2011	28
2010	30
2009	30
2008	29
2007	25
2006	26
2005	23
2004	23
2003	21
2002	21
2001	22
2000	21
1999	19
1998	20
1997	11
1996	14
1995	15
1994	14
1993	17
1992	12
1991	13
1990	24
1989	19
1988	18
1987	16

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School Calendar

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School Rankings

Glacier Gateway Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 696 schools in Montana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Glacier Gateway Elementary School is 0.26, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.40. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (MT)

#533 out of 696 schools
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Overall School Rank Trends (2010-2023)
Year	Glacier Gateway Elementary School
2023	#533
2022	#593
2021	#539
2019	#504
2018	#563
2017	#404
2016	#378
2015	#446
2013	#403
2012	#415
2011	#409
2010	#384

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30%

37%

View Data

Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Math Proficiency Comparison (2010-2023)
Year	Glacier Gateway Elementary School	Montana	Columbia Falls Elementary School District
2023	30%	37%	34%
2022	24%	35%	31%
2021	27%	36%	32%
2019	35%	42%	45%
2018	29%	42%	44%
2017	36%	41%	43%
2016	39%	43%	42%
2015	30%	40%	38%
2013	57%	66%	64%
2012	66%	68%	69%
2011	62%	68%	65%
2010	67%	67%	62%

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32%

46%

View Data

Showing 2011–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison (2010-2022)
Year	Glacier Gateway Elementary School	Montana	Columbia Falls Elementary School District
2022	32%	46%	47%
2021	35%	47%	45%
2019	45%	50%	58%
2018	43%	51%	44%
2017	51%	51%	62%
2016	47%	50%	62%
2015	42%	48%	63%
2013	82%	84%	85%
2012	82%	86%	88%
2011	82%	84%	85%
2010	82%	84%	83%

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30-34%

37%

Student-Teacher Ratio

14:1

12:1

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison (1987-2025)
Year	Glacier Gateway Elementary School	Montana	Columbia Falls Elementary School District
2025	14:1	12:1
2024	15:1	12:1
2023	14:1	12:1	14:1
2022	15:1	12:1	15:1
2021	13:1	12:1	14:1
2020	15:1	12:1	15:1
2019	16:1	12:1	15:1
2018	17:1	12:1	15:1
2017	16:1	12:1	15:1
2016	15:1	12:1	14:1
2015	17:1	12:1	15:1
2014	15:1	12:1	15:1
2013	16:1	12:1	15:1
2012	17:1	12:1	14:1
2011	16:1	12:1	15:1
2010	15:1	12:1	15:1
2009	15:1	11:1	15:1
2008	16:1	12:1	16:1
2007	17:1	13:1	17:1
2006	16:1	13:1	16:1
2005	18:1	13:1	18:1
2004	18:1	13:1	18:1
2003	20:1	14:1	19:1
2002	18:1	13:1	17:1
2001	18:1	14:1	17:1
2000	20:1	14:1	17:1
1999	22:1	15:1	18:1
1998	21:1	14:1	18:1
1997	21:1	14:1	19:1
1996	20:1	14:1	19:1
1995	19:1	14:1	19:1
1994	21:1	14:1	20:1
1993	19:1	13:1	18:1
1992	28:1	15:1	23:1
1991	24:1	14:1	21:1
1990	19:1	13:1	19:1
1989	31:1	14:1	24:1
1988	16:1	14:1	18:1
1987	22:1	15:1	22:1

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American Indian

10%

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2025)
Year	Glacier Gateway Elementary School	Montana	Columbia Falls Elementary School District
2025	2%	10%
2024	2%	10%
2023	1%	10%	2%
2022	1%	11%	1%
2021	1%	11%	2%
2020	1%	11%	3%
2019	2%	11%	3%
2018	2%	11%	1%
2017	2%	11%	1%
2016	3%	11%	2%
2015	3%	11%	2%
2014	3%	11%	2%
2013	2%	11%	2%
2012	2%	11%	3%
2011	2%	11%	2%
2010	3%	12%	3%
2009	4%	12%	4%
2008	4%	11%	4%
2007	5%	11%	4%
2006	7%	12%	5%
2005	5%	11%	3%
2004	4%	11%	3%
2003	5%	11%	3%
2002	3%	11%	3%
2001	3%	11%	5%
2000	5%	11%	4%
1999	3%	10%	4%
1998	3%	10%	4%
1997	4%	10%	3%
1996	3%	10%	3%
1995	6%	10%	5%
1994	3%	10%	4%
1993	5%	9%	5%
1992	3%	9%	5%
1991	6%	9%	8%

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Hispanic

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2025)
Year	Glacier Gateway Elementary School	Montana	Columbia Falls Elementary School District
2025	5%	7%
2024	6%	6%
2023	6%	6%	5%
2022	5%	5%	5%
2021	6%	5%	5%
2020	6%	5%	4%
2019	6%	5%	4%
2018	4%	5%	4%
2017	4%	5%	4%
2016	3%	5%	3%
2015	4%	4%	3%
2014	5%	4%	4%
2013	4%	4%	4%
2012	4%	4%	4%
2011	4%	3%	4%
2010	4%	3%	3%
2009	3%	3%	3%
2008	3%	3%	2%
2007	3%	3%	2%
2006	3%	2%	2%
2005	4%	2%	2%
2004	3%	2%	1%
2003	3%	2%	1%
2002	2%	2%	2%
2001	4%	2%	2%
2000	1%	2%	1%
1999	2%	2%	2%
1998	2%	1%	2%
1997	1%	1%	1%
1996	2%	1%	1%
1995	1%	1%	1%
1994	1%	1%	1%
1993	1%	1%	1%
1992	1%	1%	1%
1991	1%	1%	1%

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White

86%

76%

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓

White Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2025)
Year	Glacier Gateway Elementary School	Montana	Columbia Falls Elementary School District
2025	86%	76%
2024	84%	77%
2023	86%	77%	87%
2022	88%	78%	88%
2021	88%	78%	87%
2020	86%	78%	87%
2019	86%	78%	87%
2018	88%	78%	89%
2017	90%	79%	89%
2016	88%	79%	89%
2015	86%	80%	90%
2014	85%	80%	89%
2013	88%	81%	88%
2012	90%	81%	89%
2011	89%	82%	90%
2010	89%	83%	91%
2009	89%	83%	91%
2008	90%	84%	92%
2007	90%	84%	92%
2006	88%	84%	91%
2005	90%	85%	93%
2004	91%	85%	94%
2003	91%	85%	94%
2002	95%	85%	93%
2001	92%	86%	92%
2000	92%	86%	94%
1999	93%	87%	93%
1998	92%	87%	92%
1997	94%	87%	95%
1996	95%	88%	96%
1995	92%	88%	93%
1994	95%	88%	94%
1993	92%	88%	93%
1992	95%	88%	93%
1991	92%	89%	90%

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Two or more races

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2011-2025)
Year	Glacier Gateway Elementary School	Montana	Columbia Falls Elementary School District
2025	7%	5%
2024	8%	5%
2023	7%	5%	6%
2022	6%	4%	6%
2021	5%	4%	6%
2020	6%	4%	6%
2019	6%	4%	6%
2018	6%	4%	6%
2017	4%	3%	6%
2016	5%	3%	6%
2015	6%	3%	5%
2014	6%	3%	5%
2013	5%	2%	5%
2012	3%	2%	4%
2011	3%	2%	3%

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All Ethnic Groups

14%

24%

0.26

0.40

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓

Diversity Score Comparison (1991-2025)
Year	Glacier Gateway Elementary School	Montana	Columbia Falls Elementary School District
2025	0.26	0.41
2024	0.29	0.39
2023	0.25	0.39	0.23
2022	0.22	0.38	0.22
2021	0.22	0.38	0.24
2020	0.26	0.38	0.24
2019	0.26	0.38	0.24
2018	0.22	0.38	0.21
2017	0.19	0.36	0.21
2016	0.22	0.36	0.21
2015	0.26	0.35	0.20
2014	0.27	0.35	0.21
2013	0.22	0.33	0.22
2012	0.19	0.33	0.20
2011	0.21	0.32	0.20
2010	0.21	0.30	0.17
2009	0.21	0.30	0.17
2008	0.19	0.28	0.15
2007	0.19	0.28	0.15
2006	0.22	0.28	0.16
2005	0.19	0.27	0.14
2004	0.17	0.27	0.12
2003	0.17	0.27	0.12
2002	0.10	0.27	0.13
2001	0.15	0.25	0.15
2000	0.15	0.25	0.12
1999	0.13	0.23	0.13
1998	0.15	0.24	0.14
1997	0.12	0.24	0.10
1996	0.10	0.22	0.08
1995	0.15	0.22	0.14
1994	0.10	0.22	0.10
1993	0.15	0.22	0.13
1992	0.10	0.22	0.13
1991	0.15	0.20	0.18

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(22-23)

32.3%

35.9%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate (2021-2023)
Year	Glacier Gateway Elementary School	Montana	Columbia Falls Elementary School District
2023	32.3%	35.9%	34%
2022	37.6%	41.1%	40.9%
2021	26.8%	29.6%	35.1%

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Participates in the

Yes

Eligible for

92%

50%

View Data

Showing 2015–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison (1990-2025)
Year	Glacier Gateway Elementary School	Montana	Columbia Falls Elementary School District
2025	92%	50%
2024	59%	42%
2023	47%	37%	39%
2021	48%	38%	42%
2020	48%	24%	43%
2019	49%	38%	43%
2018	48%	39%	41%
2017	45%	40%	41%
2016	48%	39%	42%
2015	53%	37%	45%
2014	49%	34%	43%
2013	50%	34%	42%
2012	46%	33%	39%
2011	48%	33%	42%
2010	43%	31%	38%
2009	36%	27%	32%
2008	39%	27%	39%
2007	32%	26%	29%
2006	35%	27%	32%
2005	30%	25%	31%
2004	31%	26%	33%
2003	27%	24%	30%
2002	32%	23%	32%
2001	26%	23%	31%
2000	27%	23%	31%
1999	32%	23%	32%
1998	27%	23%	31%
1997	30%	23%	28%
1996	32%	22%	27%
1995	34%	22%	28%
1994	32%	22%	26%
1993	30%	22%	27%
1991	6%	20%	24%
1990	20%	19%	20%

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Eligible for

View Data

Showing 2015–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison (1999-2025)
Year	Glacier Gateway Elementary School	Montana	Columbia Falls Elementary School District
2025	7%	5%
2024	10%	5%
2023	7%	5%	7%
2021	7%	6%	7%
2020	9%	6%	11%
2019	11%	6%	11%
2018	9%	6%	7%
2017	6%	6%	7%
2016	8%	5%	7%
2015	9%	7%	9%
2014	8%	7%	8%
2013	11%	8%	13%
2012	8%	7%	9%
2011	12%	8%	12%
2010	14%	8%	13%
2009	12%	10%	11%
2008	8%	9%	11%
2007	10%	8%	10%
2006	12%	8%	12%
2005	13%	8%	11%
2004	12%	8%	10%
2003	9%	8%	9%
2002	11%	8%	11%
2001	11%	8%	10%
2000	11%	8%	11%
1999	10%	7%	9%

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School Statewide Testing

View Education Department Test Scores

School District Name

Columbia Falls Elementary School District

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MT Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Glacier Gateway Elementary School's ranking?

Glacier Gateway Elementary School is ranked #533 out of 696 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Montana.

What schools are Glacier Gateway Elementary School often compared to?

Glacier Gateway Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Ruder Elementary School by visitors of our site.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

30% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 37% MT state average), while 32% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 46% MT state average).

How many students attend Glacier Gateway Elementary School?

471 students attend Glacier Gateway Elementary School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

86% of Glacier Gateway Elementary School students are White, 7% of students are Two or more races, 5% of students are Hispanic, and 2% of students are American Indian.

What is the student-teacher ratio of Glacier Gateway Elementary School?

Glacier Gateway Elementary School has a student ration of 14:1, which is higher than the Montana state average of 12:1.

What grades does Glacier Gateway Elementary School offer ?

Glacier Gateway Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (No virtual instruction).

What school district is Glacier Gateway Elementary School part of?

Glacier Gateway Elementary School is part of Columbia Falls Elementary School District.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

Grades: Prekindergarten-5
Enrollment: 471 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
Minority Enrollment: 14%
: Bottom 50%
: 30% (Btm 50%)
: 32% (Btm 50%)
: 30-34% (Btm 50%)
: Glacier Gateway Elementary's attendance zone encompasses the entire school district of Columbia Falls, MT, covering an extensive area of approximately 2,682 square miles. Families within this zone can typically expect a 20-30 minute drive to the school, with average distances from the school to the zone's edge reaching about 43 miles and extending up to 72.2 miles at its furthest point.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MT Dept. of Education