Average
#204 of 603 schools in MT
Top 34% in state
Smith Valley Primary Schl
Elementary School · Smith Valley Elem
2901 Highway 2 West, Kalispell, MT 59901
Enrollment
155
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
155
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kalispell
#6 of 22
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#117 of 319
In district
#1 of 2
Smith Valley Elem
Academic growth
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Smith Valley Primary Schl
Smith Valley Primary School is a charming elementary school located in the rural setting of Kalispell, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 155 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1 with 11 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's curriculum focuses on foundational skills, with room for academic growth as indicated by test scores showing 35% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 22% proficiency in Math across all grades.
Smith Valley Primary School is situated in a peaceful rural area, offering students a close-knit community environment. While the MySchoolScout Rating of 5.0 out of 10 places it below average compared to other Montana schools, the school continues to focus on student development and supportive learning experiences. The setting provides a serene backdrop for young learners, fostering a nurturing atmosphere that encourages growth and exploration.
Smith Valley Primary School is nestled in a rural community where students can enjoy the natural beauty and tight-knit neighborhood while receiving a solid educational foundation.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 155 students, Smith Valley Primary Schl 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.
Located in a rural area, Smith Valley Primary Schl 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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Smith Valley Primary Schl — Students at Smith Valley Primary Schl score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51%
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
→ 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: 8.5/10.
How Smith Valley Primary Schl Compares
See how Smith Valley Primary Schl performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
2901 Highway 2 West, Kalispell, MT 59901
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Smith Valley Primary Schl may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST MATTHEW'S SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lillian Peterson School (rated 7.8/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Edgerton School (rated 7.1/10, 6.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Kalispell, see our Kalispell schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Smith Valley 7-8 Kalispell | 0.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Kila 7-8 Kila | 3.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Kila School Kila | 3.9 mi | 3.1 |
| West Valley School Kalispell | 4.5 mi | 6.9 |
| West Valley Middle School Kalispell | 4.5 mi | 6.9 |
| ONESCHOOL GLOBAL KALISPELL CAMPUS Kalispell | 4.6 mi | — |
| Lillian Peterson School Kalispell | 4.5 mi | 7.8 |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN EDUCATION Kalispell | 4.8 mi | — |
| Kalispell Middle School Kalispell | 5.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Glacier High School Kalispell | 5.8 mi | 6.3 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 5.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Flathead High School Kalispell | 5.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Russell School Kalispell | 5.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Elrod School Kalispell | 5.1 mi | 5.9 |
| ST MATTHEW'S SCHOOL Kalispell | 5.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Jeannette Rankin Elementary Sc Kalispell | 5.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Cornelius Hedges School Kalispell | 5.6 mi | 5.3 |
| WOODLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kalispell | 5.9 mi | — |
| Edgerton School Kalispell | 6.5 mi | 7.1 |
| KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell | 6.4 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,391
Median Home Value
$417,200
Median Rent
$1,052/mo
Population
61,710
College Educated
32.6%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
18.1 min
Poverty Rate
10%
Median Age
39.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Smith Valley Primary Schl has a median household income of $70,391. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $417,200, with a median rent of $1,052/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Fairview School Fairview, MT | 6.9 |
| Morningside School Great Falls, MT | 6.9 |
| SUSSEX SCHOOL Missoula, MT | 6.9 |
| Anna Jeffries Elementary Cut Bank, MT | 7.0 |
| Joliet School Joliet, MT | 7.0 |
| Amsterdam School Manhattan, MT | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Smith Valley Primary Schl
What grades does Smith Valley Primary Schl serve?
Smith Valley Primary Schl serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Smith Valley Primary Schl?
Smith Valley Primary Schl has an enrollment of approximately 155 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Smith Valley Primary Schl?
The student-teacher ratio at Smith Valley Primary Schl is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Smith Valley Primary Schl rank in MT?
Smith Valley Primary Schl is ranked #204 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Smith Valley Primary Schl's MySchoolScout rating?
Smith Valley Primary Schl has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Smith Valley Primary Schl?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smith Valley Primary Schl has 22.0% math proficiency and 35.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Smith Valley Primary Schl a charter school?
No, Smith Valley Primary Schl is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Smith Valley Primary Schl a Title I school?
No, Smith Valley Primary Schl is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Smith Valley Primary Schl?
51.0% of students at Smith Valley Primary Schl 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 155
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Flathead County
- Phone
- (406) 756-4535
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Smith Valley Elem- District Enrollment
- 200
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,621
- District Rank
- #1 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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