Below Average
#1601 of 1,791 schools in MA
Swift River
Elementary School · New Salem-Wendell
201 Wendell Rd, New Salem, MA 01355
Enrollment
137
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
137
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Massachusetts elementary schools
#886 of 1,022
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Swift River
Swift River is a charming elementary school nestled in the rural community of New Salem, Massachusetts. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, Swift River currently has an enrollment of 137 students with a supportive student-to-teacher ratio of 9.1:1. The dedicated staff consists of 15 full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with families to ensure each child's academic and personal growth.
While Swift River’s MySchoolScout rating is at the lower end, standing at 4.0 out of 10, it reflects an ongoing commitment to student development rather than just academic achievement. The school’s state ranking places it at #1354 out of 1796 schools in Massachusetts (25th percentile), with proficiency rates in ELA/Reading at 39%, Math at 42%, and Science at 41%. These scores suggest there is room for improvement, but the school continues to focus on nurturing young minds and building a strong foundation for future learning.
Located along Wendell Road, Swift River benefits from its rural setting with access to nature and community resources that complement classroom instruction. This small-town atmosphere fosters close-knit relationships between students, teachers, and families.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 137 students, Swift River is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1, Swift River offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Swift River may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Swift River — Students at Swift River score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 73 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.1/10.
How Swift River Compares
See how Swift River performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
201 Wendell Rd, New Salem, MA 01355
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Swift River may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gill Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Gill), which scores notably higher. Another option is Shutesbury Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Shutesbury), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wildwood Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Amherst), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New Salem, see our New Salem schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ralph C Mahar Regional Orange | 4.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Fisher Hill School Orange | 5.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Shutesbury Elementary Shutesbury | 6.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Erving Elementary Erving | 8.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Leverett Elementary Leverett | 8.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Athol-Royalston Middle School Athol | 8.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Athol Community Elementary School Athol | 8.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Athol High Athol | 8.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Petersham Center Petersham | 8.8 mi | 7.2 |
| PETERSHAM MONTESSORI SCHOOLS Petersham | 8.9 mi | — |
| Franklin County Technical Turners Falls | 9.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Pelham Elementary Pelham | 11.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Gill Elementary Gill | 11.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Turners Fall High Montague | 10.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Great Falls Middle Montague | 10.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Northfield Elementary Northfield | 13.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Fort River Elementary Amherst | 12.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Wildwood Elementary Amherst | 12.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Amherst Regional Middle School Amherst | 12.2 mi | 8.0 |
| FOUR WINDS SCHOOL Gill | 11.3 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01355 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,327
Median Home Value
$357,400
Median Rent
$1,180/mo
Population
963
College Educated
37.1%
Homeownership
87.5%
Avg Commute
23.3 min
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Median Age
55.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Swift River has a median household income of $80,327. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $357,400, with a median rent of $1,180/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alice A Macomber Westport, MA | 4.4 |
| Lynn Woods Lynn, MA | 4.4 |
| Royalston Community School Royalston, MA | 4.4 |
| Cold Spring Belchertown, MA | 4.5 |
| HOLY NAME SCHOOL Fall River, MA | 4.5 |
| METROWEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ashland, MA | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Swift River
What grades does Swift River serve?
Swift River serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Swift River?
Swift River has an enrollment of approximately 137 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Swift River?
The student-teacher ratio at Swift River is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Swift River rank in MA?
Swift River is ranked #1601 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Swift River's MySchoolScout rating?
Swift River has a composite rating of 4.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Swift River?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Swift River has 40.0% math proficiency and 39.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Swift River a charter school?
No, Swift River is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Swift River a Title I school?
No, Swift River is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 137
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Franklin County
- Phone
- (978) 544-6926
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
New Salem-Wendell- District Enrollment
- 137
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $26,740
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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