Cascade Elem

Every figure on PlainSchools is rendered directly from the source NCES, CRDC and F-33 federal records, no number is typed in by an editor. District totals are aggregated directly from the schools reporting under this district in the source records. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, the data changelog, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.

Cascade, Montana - 2 schools

An equity score of 22/100 ranks Cascade Elem #121 of 141 districts in Montana (state average 38). Derived live from how evenly resources are distributed across the district's schools.

At $10,864 per pupil, Cascade Elem ranks #353 of 393 Montana districts by per-pupil spending (Montana districts). NCES F-33 finance data.

221
Total Enrollment
2
Schools
$10,864
Per-Pupil Spending
Combined, Middle
School Types

District-Level NCES Analysis

Cascade Elem operates 2 public schools serving 221 students, placing it among the smallest districts in Montana. The school portfolio breaks down into 1 combined, 1 middle schools, a small enough portfolio that most families will interact with nearly every campus in the district at some point. These enrollment and school figures come from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024-25 release, and the district is based in Cascade County.

Per-pupil expenditure runs $10,864 according to the NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey, among the bottom 40 of 393 Montana districts by per-pupil spending. See how Montana compares in our national per-pupil spending analysis. The funding mix is 36.0% local, 39.5% state, and 24.5% federal, a balanced mix across local, state, and federal sources, spreading budget risk across funding cycles rather than concentrating it in one. The district's equity score is 22/100, ranked #121 of 141 in Montana against a state average of 38, notably less even than the typical district in the state for how evenly funding reaches its schools.

a 292:1 student-counselor ratio, somewhat above the 250:1 ASCA recommendation, and 24.0% chronic absenteeism from the 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection. Demographically, the student body averages 92.4% White, 3.1% Hispanic or Latino across the district's schools.

Its largest campus is Cascade School, enrolling 144 students (66% of the district's total enrollment).

Cascade School accounts for 65.2% of all Cascade Elem student enrollment

That is an overwhelming concentration, leaving the rest of Cascade Elem a distant remainder — means Cascade Elem-wide averages can mask substantial variation outside the largest entity. Grade band: combined. The share measures enrollment concentration only; it does not establish how the district allocates programs, capital, or staff. Because it contains a majority of the affected population, enrollment-weighted aggregates will sit closer to this entity's reported fields than to those of smaller peers; an unweighted entity count answers a different question.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data

Cascade Elem student-counselor ratio is 292:1 — near the typical range (US average ~408) — within the typical range for U.S. public districts

student-counselor ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE counselors against total enrollment, districts that contract intervention or social-emotional staff outside the counselor classification may be under-counted Variation between sub-units within Cascade Elem is typically wider than the Cascade Elem-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection

Cascade Elem chronic absenteeism rate is 24.0% — near the typical range (US average ~28) — aligned with the national post-pandemic baseline of roughly 28% chronic absenteeism

chronic absenteeism rate is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: a student is chronically absent if they miss ≥10% of enrolled days for any reason, illness, family obligations, or disengagement Variation between sub-units within Cascade Elem is typically wider than the Cascade Elem-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22

Where does the funding come from?

24.5%
Federal
39.5%
State
36.0%
Local

Funding Equity

22
Equity Score
121 / 141
State Rank
38
State Average

This district scores below average on funding equity. High reliance on local revenue or lower spending may contribute.

Student Demographics

Average demographic composition across 2 schools in Cascade Elem.

White 92.4%
Hispanic or Latino 3.1%
Multiracial 4.5%

Source: NCES CCD School Membership 2024-25.

Programs & Resources

292:1
Student-Counselor Ratio
24.0%
Chronically Absent

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22.

Schools in Cascade Elem

School Enrollment
Cascade School
144
Cascade 6-8
74

How Cascade Elem Compares to Similar-Size Districts

The Montana districts closest to this one in total enrollment.

District Enrollment Spending Funding Mix
Smith Valley Elem Similar size Similar spending Similar funding mix
Boulder Elem Similar size Higher spending Similar funding mix
Park City Elem Similar size Similar spending Similar funding mix
Wolf Point H S Similar size Higher spending Similar funding mix
Cut Bank H S Similar size Higher spending More locally funded

Comparisons are relative to Cascade Elem's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data and the F-33 Finance Survey.

Nearby Districts in Montana

Top districts in the same state, compare side-by-side for enrollment, spending, and demographics.

Billings Elem
10,988 students · 28 schools · $12,015/pupil
Compare vs Cascade Elem →
Great Falls Elem
7,032 students · 17 schools · $12,146/pupil
Compare vs Cascade Elem →
Billings H S
5,610 students · 3 schools · $12,233/pupil
Compare vs Cascade Elem →
Missoula Elem
5,280 students · 12 schools · $13,401/pupil
Compare vs Cascade Elem →
Helena Elem
5,225 students · 13 schools · $13,752/pupil
Compare vs Cascade Elem →

Nationwide districts with similar enrollment or spending

Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by per-pupil expenditure, not the same-state lists above.

Compare Cascade Elem

See how this district compares to others in enrollment, spending, demographics, and academic resources.

Compare vs Billings Elem →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools are in Cascade Elem?

Cascade Elem has 2 schools, including 1 combined, 1 middle. Total enrollment is 221 students.

How much does Cascade Elem spend per student?

Cascade Elem spends $10,864 per student. The district has an equity score of 22/100, ranking #121 in Montana.

What is the demographic composition of Cascade Elem?

Cascade Elem students are 92.4% White, 3.1% Hispanic or Latino, averaged across 2 schools. Source: NCES CCD Membership 2024-25.

What is the equity score for Cascade Elem?

Cascade Elem has an equity score of 22/100, ranking #121 out of 141 districts in Montana.