Average
#366 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
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
445
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Montana schools
#366 of 603
In Bigfork
#4 of 5
public schools
In district
#2 of 2
Bigfork Elem
Academic performance
7.7 / 10
Very Good
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Bigfork Elementary
Elementary School in Bigfork · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Bigfork 7-8
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bigfork High School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bigfork Elementary
Bigfork Elementary is a public elementary school in Bigfork, MT, part of Bigfork Elem. Bigfork Elementary serves approximately 445 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Bigfork Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #366 of 603 schools in MT.
Structured state assessment records for Bigfork Elementary show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.8 · Average
- MT avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Bigfork Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
34% of students at Bigfork Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bigfork Elementary — Students at Bigfork Elementary score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
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 25 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: 5.6/10.
How Bigfork Elementary Compares
See how Bigfork Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 188, Bigfork, MT 59911
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bigfork Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Deer Park School (rated 8.5/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Columbia Falls), which scores notably higher. Another option is Creston School (rated 8.3/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jeannette Rankin Elementary Sc (rated 8.0/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), 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 | 6.0 |
| Bigfork High School Bigfork | 0.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Swan River School Bigfork | 3.2 mi | 3.3 |
| Swan River 6-8 Bigfork | 3.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Creston School Kalispell | 9.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Somers Middle School Somers | 6.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Lakeside Elementary School Somers | 7.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Cayuse Prairie School Kalispell | 11.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell | 11.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell | 11.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell | 11.3 mi | 5.6 |
| STILLWATER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 12.0 mi | 5.6 |
| East Evergreen School Kalispell | 13.9 mi | 7.5 |
| KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell | 13.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Deer Park School Columbia Falls | 16.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls | 16.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Jeannette Rankin Elementary Sc Kalispell | 12.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Evergreen Junior High Kalispell | 14.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Cornelius Hedges School Kalispell | 13.6 mi | 4.7 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| O D Speer School Deer Lodge, MT | 5.8 |
| Burlington School Billings, MT | 5.7 |
| Jim Darcy School Helena, MT | 5.7 |
| K William Harvey Elem Ronan, MT | 5.7 |
| Lowell School Missoula, MT | 5.7 |
| Daly School Hamilton, MT | 5.9 |
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 ranks #366 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Bigfork Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bigfork Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bigfork Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bigfork Elementary has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.2%
- Phone
- (406) 837-7412
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
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