The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Lakeside Elementary School
Lakeside Elementary School is a public school serving prekindergarten through fourth grade in the unincorporated community of Lakeside, on the northwest shore of Flathead Lake in northwestern Montana. It is part of the Somers Elementary School District, which covers only elementary grades; after fourth grade, students move on to Somers Middle School in the neighboring community of Somers and then to a high school elsewhere in the county. The school sits near the small town center, embedded in a residential and seasonal tourist area rather than on a separate campus.
The community itself is a mix of year-round residents and seasonal homeowners, with a modest commercial strip along US-93 that includes a brewery, a grocery, a few restaurants, and marina services. The Lakeside neighborhood plan describes the area as not self-sustaining, meaning many residents drive north to Kalispell for shopping, employment, and services not available locally. The population grew rapidly in the 2000s and then leveled off, and a substantial share of housing units are vacant, reflecting the high number of second homes and lakefront properties. Housing values are extremely high relative to local incomes, and the market leans toward seasonal and high-end listings. There is no public transit; the area is car-dependent, though a multi-use trail connects Lakeside to Somers for walking and biking.
The school enrolls a modest number of students, with the largest groups in kindergarten through third grade and a smaller fourth-grade class. The student body is predominantly white, with small shares of Hispanic, Asian, Black, and multiracial students. About two out of five students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing the school within a middle range of economic need for the area. Data on special education and English learner populations were not available in the sources reviewed.
State assessment results were not reported for Lakeside Elementary for the most recent school year. The school serves grades that are typically tested in Montana (third and fourth grade), but no proficiency data appeared. This could reflect very small tested populations, data suppression, or reporting gaps; the reason is not specified in the available information. Because of this absence, the school’s academic performance cannot be compared with other schools in Flathead County from the data on hand. A parent considering the school would want to ask the district directly about recent testing participation and outcomes. There is no graduation rate to examine, as the school does not serve high school grades.
The district itself did not show evidence of recent major changes that would be relevant to families, such as boundary shifts or program overhauls. The school’s website was not reviewed in the data provided, so details about after-school activities, parent involvement, or specific instructional approaches were not available.
Lakeside Elementary is best understood as a small, community-embedded early elementary school in a scenic but expensive lakeside setting. Families who live in Lakeside or the surrounding lakefront area likely value the local, walkable access to the school and the small-scale environment for young children. The trade-offs include a limited local economy, a long commute for many goods and services, and a housing market that is out of reach for many middle-income households. The absence of test results means there is no public record of academic performance to rely on, so direct conversations with the school and current families would be essential for any parent trying to gauge the academic environment. For those already drawn to the Flathead Lake region, this school provides a neighborhood-based start to elementary education before children transition to the Somers schools for older grades.
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