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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,142

Smith Valley Primary Schl — Students at Smith Valley Primary Schl score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 35.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
37%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.9/10
66th percentile in MT
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,532/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kalispell). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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