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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change-4 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Math vs. State Avg-10.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.6 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$32,700

Swift River — Students at Swift River score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 40.0%
School
State
43.5%
ELA Proficiency 39.4%
School
State
45.7%

Based on 73 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2018
Math
41%
ELA
55.5%
2019
Math
60.6%
ELA
53.6%
2021*
Math
45.4%
ELA
48.4%
2022
Math
34.8%
ELA
31.2%
2023
Math
35.3%
ELA
27%
2024
Math
32.8%
ELA
27.3%
2025
Math
26%
ELA
28.8%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.4/10
11th percentile in MA
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
2.1/10
Below average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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