Average
#419 of 603 schools in MT
Bigfork Elementary
Elementary School · Bigfork Elem
PO Box 188, Bigfork, MT 59911
Enrollment
445
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
445
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bigfork
#3 of 5
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#232 of 319
In district
#2 of 2
Bigfork Elem
Academic performance
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Bigfork Elementary
Bigfork Elementary, located in the charming town of Bigfork in Flathead County, Montana, is a regular public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 445 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's educational needs. The dedicated staff includes 28 full-time equivalent teachers who work tirelessly to support their students' academic growth.
Bigfork Elementary’s MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 reflects its current standing in Montana, placing it at number 331 out of 605 schools statewide, which is around the 46th percentile. The school's academic score of 7.3/10 indicates there is room for improvement, particularly in math and reading proficiency rates of 37% and 59%, respectively. Set in a remote rural area, Bigfork Elementary fosters a close-knit community where students benefit from small class sizes and strong teacher support.
While the school continues to focus on academic development, it provides a nurturing environment that encourages learning and personal growth for every student.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Bigfork 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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Bigfork Elementary — Students at Bigfork Elementary score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MT 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: 5.2/10.
How Bigfork Elementary Compares
See how Bigfork Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 35% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 59% (2022).
Location
PO Box 188, Bigfork, MT 59911
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bigfork Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fair-Mont-Egan School (rated 8.9/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Deer Park School (rated 8.1/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Columbia Falls), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lakeside Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Somers), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bigfork, see our Bigfork schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bigfork 7-8 Bigfork | 0.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Bigfork High School Bigfork | 0.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Swan River School Bigfork | 3.2 mi | 3.0 |
| Swan River 6-8 Bigfork | 3.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Creston School Kalispell | 9.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Somers Middle School Somers | 6.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Lakeside Elementary School Somers | 7.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Cayuse Prairie School Kalispell | 11.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell | 11.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell | 11.3 mi | 8.9 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell | 11.3 mi | 8.1 |
| STILLWATER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 12.0 mi | 5.6 |
| East Evergreen School Kalispell | 13.9 mi | 6.8 |
| KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell | 13.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Deer Park School Columbia Falls | 16.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls | 16.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Jeannette Rankin Elementary Sc Kalispell | 12.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Evergreen Junior High Kalispell | 14.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Cornelius Hedges School Kalispell | 13.6 mi | 5.3 |
| WOODLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kalispell | 13.8 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59911 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,846
Median Home Value
$608,000
Median Rent
$1,158/mo
Population
9,316
College Educated
50.5%
Homeownership
85%
Avg Commute
23.8 min
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Median Age
54.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bigfork Elementary has a median household income of $81,846. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $608,000, with a median rent of $1,158/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Valley View School Great Falls, MT | 5.5 |
| Burlington School Billings, MT | 5.4 |
| Central Heights School Billings, MT | 5.6 |
| Hawthorne School Bozeman, MT | 5.4 |
| Meadow Lark School Great Falls, MT | 5.4 |
| Ruder Elementary Columbia Falls, MT | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bigfork Elementary
What grades does Bigfork Elementary serve?
Bigfork Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Bigfork Elementary?
Bigfork Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 445 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bigfork Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bigfork Elementary is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bigfork Elementary rank in MT?
Bigfork Elementary is ranked #419 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Bigfork Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bigfork Elementary has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Bigfork Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bigfork Elementary has 37.0% math proficiency and 58.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bigfork Elementary a charter school?
No, Bigfork Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bigfork Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bigfork Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bigfork Elementary?
34.4% of students at Bigfork Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (776/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 445
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 34.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Flathead County
- Phone
- (406) 837-7412
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bigfork Elem- District Enrollment
- 598
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,189
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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.
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