The top reported proficiency rate is 51% in Science. The lowest is 0% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Somers Middle School
Somers Middle School serves grades five through eight in the small, unincorporated community of Somers at the north end of Flathead Lake. The school is part of the Somers Lakeside School District, which also includes Lakeside Elementary; students in ninth grade onward commute north to Flathead High School in Kalispell. The community itself originated as a company lumber town built for Great Northern Railway sawmill workers, and today it remains a low-density residential area with a notably high median age that suggests a retiree and second-home presence. The population nearly doubled over the past two decades before a slight decline, and the area is still growing at a modest pace. Publicly reported civic developments include the 2023 designation of Somers Beach State Park on a sizable lakeside tract. There is no traditional walkable downtown; the built environment follows US Route 93 and the lakeshore.
The academic picture from state testing comes with important caveats. For the 2023‑24 school year, mathematics and English language arts assessments for grades three through eight are listed with a zero percent proficiency rate and a tested count of zero. That pattern strongly suggests the data is not available rather than reflecting an actual score of zero—a common situation when a school’s testing participation falls below reporting thresholds or when data is suppressed for other reasons. Parents would want to confirm with the school or district what the most recent valid test results look like for these subjects. Science test results are available and show a different story: about half of students scored proficient or above on the Montana Science Assessment. When the limited available data is combined into a single performance index, the school lands in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Flathead County, though that ranking relies heavily on the missing math and English scores.
Enrollment is moderate for a middle school, with roughly a quarter of students in each grade from fifth through eighth. The student body is overwhelmingly white, with very small numbers of American Indian, Hispanic, and multiracial students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that economic diversity is present. No data is reported for students with disabilities or English learners, so families interested in those supports may want to inquire directly.
The school’s setting is rural lakeside, and the housing market in the broader Flathead County area reflects strong demand and high prices. Homes in the county list at a high median price, and the inventory of active listings has tightened over the past year. Renting is also expensive relative to national benchmarks, and buying a home requires a significant income. Somers itself remains unincorporated with no municipal government, and the nearest full-service city is Kalispell, a short drive north.
There is no information available about programs such as advanced coursework, arts, or career pathways at the middle school level, and no discipline or attendance data was found. The district brief turned up no recent major changes that would affect families. For parents considering Somers Middle School, the core takeaway is that it is a modestly sized school in a small, growing lakeside community with a mostly white student body and some economic diversity. State test results are incomplete, and the available science data sits near the midpoint. Any family weighing this school would be wise to visit, ask about current assessment participation, and understand how the school supports students in math and reading given the data gap. For those who value a small rural setting and are comfortable commuting to Kalispell for high school and most services, this school fits that context.
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