The top reported proficiency rate is 64% in Science. The lowest is 0% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Sacajawea School
Sacajawea School serves students from preschool through sixth grade in Great Falls, Montana. It is part of the Great Falls Elementary district, which covers the city and its immediate area. Great Falls itself is a mix of industrial, commercial, and residential neighborhoods, historically a thriving industrial and supply center along the Missouri River. The city remains heavily shaped by Malmstrom Air Force Base, the community’s largest employer, along with the Montana Air National Guard. A high concentration of museums, including the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and the C. M. Russell Museum, anchors civic life. Interstate 15 provides north-south transit. The city was once the largest in Montana, though it has since been eclipsed by Billings and later Missoula.
When it comes to state testing, the picture is incomplete for Sacajawea. For the most recent year, math and English language arts assessments for grades three through eight reported no test-takers at this school, so no proficiency results are available for those subjects. It is unclear whether this reflects a data gap, a change in testing participation, or another reason; a parent may want to ask the school directly about its approach to math and ELA assessment. Science testing did have results, with a sizable majority of tested students reaching proficiency. That is a notable strength. However, overall, when the school is measured against other districts in Cascade County on a combined proficiency index, it places in the bottom quartile. Because two of the three subject tests had no data, that index should be interpreted cautiously. The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report.
The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of students identifying as two or more races or Hispanic, and a very small American Indian or Alaska Native representation. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Information on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the data provided. The school’s grade span is preschool through sixth grade, so it serves a young population that feeds into middle schools in the district later.
The housing market in the area served by Sacajawea has seen notable changes. Home values are slightly above the national median, and rents have been rising at a faster pace. Monthly rent is estimated to be a moderate share of a typical household’s income, and mortgage costs are somewhat higher. That suggests the area has become less affordable in recent years, though it remains within reach for many households relative to other parts of the country. No recent district-level changes or strategic priorities were found in public records, so parents may want to check directly with Great Falls Elementary for upcoming boundary adjustments, program shifts, or facility updates.
Sacajawea School offers a standard elementary experience in a city with a strong military and industrial base. Its science results are a clear bright spot, but families looking for detailed math and ELA performance will find the record thin. The school’s diversity is limited, and the economic need among students is significant. For parents who value a neighborhood elementary with a broad pre-K start and a solid science showing, and who are comfortable following up on the gaps in testing data, Sacajawea is a viable option. Those who prioritize a fuller public record of academic outcomes may want to explore further.
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