Average
#955 of 1,791 schools in MA
Swift River Elementary
Elementary School · Belchertown
57 State Street, Belchertown, MA 01007
Enrollment
468
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
6.1
Grades
1st – 3rd
Enrollment
468
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
6.1
Grades
1st – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Belchertown
#3 of 5
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#542 of 1,022
In district
#3 of 5
Belchertown
Academic growth
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Swift River Elementary
Swift River Elementary is a charming rural school located in Belchertown, Massachusetts. Serving students from first to third grade, Swift River offers a nurturing environment with an enrollment of 468 students and a supportive student-to-teacher ratio of 12.3:1. The dedicated staff consists of 38 full-time equivalent teachers committed to providing a strong educational foundation for young learners.
Academically, the school has room for improvement according to recent state rankings and MySchoolScout ratings. With a ranking of #1137 out of 1796 schools in Massachusetts (placing it at the 37th percentile), Swift River Elementary focuses on student development across various subjects. In English Language Arts/Reading, 49% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 31% meet proficiency standards.
Swift River Elementary stands out as a community-oriented institution situated in a rural area near Belchertown. The school is deeply embedded within its tight-knit neighborhood, fostering a warm and supportive learning environment for all its students.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Swift River Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Swift River Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
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Swift River Elementary — Students at Swift River Elementary score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
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 20 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.7/10.
How Swift River Elementary Compares
See how Swift River Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
57 State Street, Belchertown, MA 01007
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Swift River Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Crocker Farm Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Amherst), which scores notably higher. Another option is Indian Orchard Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Indian Orchard), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fort River Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Amherst), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Belchertown, see our Belchertown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Belchertown High Belchertown | 0.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Chestnut Hill Community School Belchertown | 0.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Jabish Middle School Belchertown | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Cold Spring Belchertown | 0.9 mi | 4.5 |
| THE MACDUFFIE SCHOOL Granby | 3.3 mi | 8.1 |
| East Meadow Granby | 4.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Granby Jr Sr High School Granby | 4.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Pathfinder Vocational Technical Palmer | 6.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Old Mill Pond Palmer | 6.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Paul R Baird Middle Ludlow | 7.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Palmer High Palmer | 6.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Ludlow Senior High Ludlow | 7.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Harris Brook Elementary School Ludlow | 7.4 mi | 6.9 |
| East Street Elementary School Ludlow | 7.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Pelham Elementary Pelham | 8.2 mi | 6.2 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL Ludlow | 8.2 mi | 6.3 |
| AMHERST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Amherst | 7.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Crocker Farm Elementary Amherst | 7.7 mi | 9.2 |
| Fort River Elementary Amherst | 8.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Indian Orchard Elementary Indian Orchard | 8.9 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01007 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$99,056
Median Home Value
$350,400
Median Rent
$1,301/mo
Population
15,406
College Educated
45.9%
Homeownership
84.1%
Avg Commute
29.2 min
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Median Age
43.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Swift River Elementary has a median household income of $99,056. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $350,400, with a median rent of $1,301/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Lowell, MA | 6.1 |
| Archie T Morrison Braintree, MA | 6.1 |
| Arthur D Healey Somerville, MA | 6.1 |
| Brookside Milford, MA | 6.1 |
| Charles A Bernazzani Elementary Quincy, MA | 6.1 |
| Dolbeare Wakefield, MA | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Swift River Elementary
What grades does Swift River Elementary serve?
Swift River Elementary serves students in grades 1st through 3rd.
How many students attend Swift River Elementary?
Swift River Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 468 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Swift River Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Swift River Elementary is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Swift River Elementary rank in MA?
Swift River Elementary is ranked #955 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Swift River Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Swift River Elementary has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Swift River Elementary has 31.2% math proficiency and 49.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Swift River Elementary a charter school?
No, Swift River Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Swift River Elementary a Title I school?
No, Swift River Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (730/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Belchertown). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 1st – 3rd
- Enrollment
- 468
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Hampshire County
- Phone
- (413) 323-0472
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Belchertown- District Enrollment
- 2,081
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,967
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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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