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Below Average

#521 of 603 schools in MT

Smith Valley Primary Schl

Elementary School · Smith Valley Elem

2901 Highway 2 West, Kalispell, MT 59901

Enrollment

155

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

4.4

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#521 of 603

In Kalispell

#20 of 22

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Smith Valley Elem

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Smith Valley Primary Schl

4.4/10

Elementary School in Kalispell · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Smith Valley 7-8

3.3/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Kila 7-8

7.5/10

3.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Smith Valley Primary Schl

Smith Valley Primary Schl is a public elementary school in Kalispell, MT, part of Smith Valley Elem. Smith Valley Primary Schl serves approximately 155 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Smith Valley Primary Schl has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #521 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Smith Valley Primary Schl show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.1 pts below MT schools
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 155 students, Smith Valley Primary Schl is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Smith Valley Primary Schl 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.

37% of students at Smith Valley Primary Schl 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 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.22 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,621
Chronic Absenteeism37.4%

Smith Valley Primary Schl — Students at Smith Valley Primary Schl score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

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 34.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
57%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
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: 3.8/10.

How Smith Valley Primary Schl Compares

See how Smith Valley Primary Schl performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
14th percentile in MT
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.4%

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 Jeannette Rankin Elementary Sc (rated 8.0/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edgerton School (rated 8.0/10, 6.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 3.3
Kila 7-8 Kila 3.9 mi 7.5
Kila School Kila 3.9 mi 6.4
West Valley School Kalispell 4.5 mi 7.6
West Valley Middle School Kalispell 4.5 mi 7.1
ONESCHOOL GLOBAL KALISPELL CAMPUS Kalispell 4.6 mi
Lillian Peterson School Kalispell 4.5 mi 6.7
ROCKY MOUNTAIN EDUCATION Kalispell 4.8 mi
Kalispell Middle School Kalispell 5.1 mi 7.6
Glacier High School Kalispell 5.8 mi 6.0
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kalispell 5.1 mi 4.9
Flathead High School Kalispell 5.0 mi 5.5
Russell School Kalispell 5.2 mi 7.8
Elrod School Kalispell 5.1 mi 5.1
ST MATTHEW'S SCHOOL Kalispell 5.3 mi 8.0
Jeannette Rankin Elementary Sc Kalispell 5.3 mi 8.0
Cornelius Hedges School Kalispell 5.6 mi 4.7
WOODLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kalispell 5.9 mi
Edgerton School Kalispell 6.5 mi 8.0
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Culbertson School Culbertson, MT 4.4
Ramsay School Ramsay, MT 4.4
Blue Creek School Billings, MT 4.5
Lincoln School Miles City, MT 4.3
Marion School Marion, MT 4.3
Meadowlark School Chinook, MT 4.3

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 ranks #521 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Smith Valley Primary Schl's MySchoolScout rating?

Smith Valley Primary Schl has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Smith Valley Primary Schl?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Smith Valley Primary Schl has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.4%

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

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