Cascade County Schools & Education

Cascade County, Montana

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

30/100

Higher = better

Rating

Below Average

Graduation Rate

83.4%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

83.4%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 83.7%

Per-Pupil Spending

$7,113

National avg $13,239

State avg $9,334

School Score

30/100

Higher = better

State avg 55/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#56

of 56 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Cascade County

School Verdict

Cascade County faces educational challenges with a school score of 30/100 and a graduation rate of 83.4%, falling below typical benchmarks.

Funding Context

At $7,113 per pupil, Cascade County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Cascade County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 46% below the Montana average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 0.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 24% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Cascade County, Montana

Montana's Major Educational Hub

Cascade County oversees 44 public schools and 13 districts, serving a massive enrollment of 11,728 students. The system includes 29 elementary schools and 15 secondary schools, including two specialized education facilities.

Balancing Large Enrollment and Quality

The county maintains an 83.4% graduation rate, nearly identical to the state average. While per-pupil spending of $7,113 is lower than other regions, the county manages a school score of 50.3 amidst high student volumes.

Great Falls Drives County Success

Great Falls Elementary is the primary district, managing 17 schools and 7,032 students. There are no charter schools in the county, with all 11,700+ students attending traditional public or special education schools.

Urban Centers Meet Rural Schools

The locale mix is split between 21 city-based schools and 23 rural schools, with an average enrollment of 267. Great Falls High School is the county's largest, serving 1,641 students in a vibrant urban setting.

Diverse Options for Every Family

Whether you prefer a large urban high school or a quiet rural elementary, Cascade County has a neighborhood to match. Quality education and diverse school settings make this a top choice for Montana homebuyers.

School Overview

Total Schools

44

in Cascade County

Total Enrollment

11,728

students

School Districts

13

districts

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary29
Middle8
High7
Other0

13 School Districts in Cascade County

Great Falls Elem

17 schools
7,032 students

Great Falls H S

2 schools
3,095 students

Belt Elem

3 schools
271 students

Centerville Elem

5 schools
237 students

Cascade Elem

2 schools
221 students

Sun River Valley Elem

3 schools
178 students

Vaughn Elem

3 schools
154 students

Ulm Elem

3 schools
138 students

Cascade H S

1 school
101 students

Simms H S

1 school
101 students

44 Public Schools in Cascade County

Great Falls High School

Great Falls H S

9–12High1,641 students
C M Russell High School

Great Falls H S

9–12High1,454 students
East Middle School

Great Falls Elem

7–8Middle788 students
North Middle School

Great Falls Elem

7–8Middle724 students
Meadow Lark School

Great Falls Elem

PK–6Primary555 students
West Elementary

Great Falls Elem

PK–6Primary463 students
Mountain View School

Great Falls Elem

PK–6Primary433 students
Giant Springs Elementary

Great Falls Elem

PK–6Primary432 students
Riverview School

Great Falls Elem

PK–6Primary427 students
Sunnyside School

Great Falls Elem

PK–6Primary423 students
Sacajawea School

Great Falls Elem

PK–6Primary407 students
Loy School

Great Falls Elem

PK–6Primary389 students
Lincoln School

Great Falls Elem

PK–6Primary360 students
Lewis & Clark School

Great Falls Elem

PK–6Primary349 students
Longfellow School

Great Falls Elem

PK–6Primary313 students
Valley View School

Great Falls Elem

PK–6Primary296 students
Chief Joseph School

Great Falls Elem

PK–6Primary268 students
Morningside School

Great Falls Elem

PK–6Primary206 students
Whittier School

Great Falls Elem

PK–6Primary199 students
Belt School

Belt Elem

PK–6Primary197 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$7,113

State avg $9,334

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Cascade County rate?
Cascade County has a school score of 30/100, which is considered below average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Cascade County?
The high school graduation rate in Cascade County is 83.4%, which is below the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Cascade County spend per student?
Cascade County spends $7,113 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Cascade County, Montana — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Cascade County, Montana?

Cascade County oversees 44 public schools and 13 districts, serving a massive enrollment of 11,728 students. The system includes 29 elementary schools and 15 secondary schools, including two specialized education facilities.

How do schools in Cascade County perform academically?

The county maintains an 83.4% graduation rate, nearly identical to the state average. While per-pupil spending of $7,113 is lower than other regions, the county manages a school score of 50.3 amidst high student volumes.

What are the major school districts in Cascade County, Montana?

Great Falls Elementary is the primary district, managing 17 schools and 7,032 students. There are no charter schools in the county, with all 11,700+ students attending traditional public or special education schools.

What is the school experience like in Cascade County?

The locale mix is split between 21 city-based schools and 23 rural schools, with an average enrollment of 267. Great Falls High School is the county's largest, serving 1,641 students in a vibrant urban setting.

How can I find homes near good schools in Cascade County, Montana?

Whether you prefer a large urban high school or a quiet rural elementary, Cascade County has a neighborhood to match. Quality education and diverse school settings make this a top choice for Montana homebuyers.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.