Columbia Falls Elem

Columbia Falls Elem serves 1,562 students across three schools in Flathead County, Montana, operating two elementary schools and one middle school in a town locale. The district experienced modest growth of 0.7% from the prior year, suggesting relative enrollment stability. With 106 teachers on staff, the student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1 aligns with national norms for rural and small-town districts.

The district operates on a $21.1 million total budget with a per-pupil spending rate of $6,923 annually. This represents substantially below the Montana state average of $11,207, indicating significantly lower resource allocation per student compared to state peers. Revenue composition shows dependence on multiple sources: local funding provides the largest share at 45.6%, followed by state support at 40.1%, with federal contributions at 14.2%. The relatively high local revenue percentage suggests the district relies considerably on property taxes and community resources.

This financial structure indicates Columbia Falls Elem operates with constrained resources relative to state benchmarks. The spending differential of approximately $4,284 per pupil below state average reflects either lower overall funding capacity within the district or different operational priorities. The balanced three-source revenue model provides some diversification, though the below-average state funding component may limit access to certain state programs or initiatives available to better-funded districts across Montana.