Below Average
#533 of 603 schools in MT
Swan River 6-8
Middle School · Swan River Elem
1205 Swan Highway, Bigfork, MT 59911
Enrollment
69
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
69
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bigfork
#4 of 5
public schools
Montana middle schools
#124 of 143
In district
#1 of 2
Swan River Elem
Academic performance
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Swan River 6-8
Swan River 6-8 is a regular public middle school in Bigfork, Montana, located on Swan Highway. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 69 students and employs four full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.2:1. The school's academic performance places it in the 46th percentile among Montana schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10.
In terms of subject proficiency, 67% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 39% meet or exceed standards in Math. Swan River 6-8 is situated in a remote rural area with limited neighborhood data available. Despite the challenges posed by its location, the school focuses on fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for its middle school students to grow both academically and personally.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 69 students, Swan River 6-8 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, Swan River 6-8 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
View breakdown
View breakdown
Swan River 6-8 — Students at Swan River 6-8 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.4%
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: 3.3/10.
How Swan River 6-8 Compares
See how Swan River 6-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
1205 Swan Highway, Bigfork, MT 59911
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Swan River 6-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School (rated 8.1/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Somers Middle School (rated 7.6/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Somers), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cayuse Prairie 7-8 (rated 7.5/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bigfork, see our Bigfork schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Swan River School Bigfork | 0.0 mi | 3.0 |
| Bigfork Elementary Bigfork | 3.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Bigfork 7-8 Bigfork | 3.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Bigfork High School Bigfork | 3.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Creston School Kalispell | 8.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Cayuse Prairie School Kalispell | 10.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell | 10.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Somers Middle School Somers | 9.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Lakeside Elementary School Somers | 10.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell | 11.3 mi | 8.9 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell | 11.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Deer Park School Columbia Falls | 15.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls | 15.1 mi | 4.8 |
| East Evergreen School Kalispell | 13.9 mi | 6.8 |
| STILLWATER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 12.9 mi | 5.6 |
| KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell | 13.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Helena Flats School Kalispell | 15.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell | 15.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Evergreen Junior High Kalispell | 14.6 mi | 6.2 |
| VALLEY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 15.7 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 Swan River 6-8 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 |
|---|---|
| KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell, MT | 4.6 |
| Superior 7-8 Superior, MT | 4.5 |
| Box Elder 7-8 Box Elder, MT | 4.7 |
| Lame Deer 7-8 Lame Deer, MT | 4.7 |
| Lodge Grass 7-8 Lodge Grass, MT | 4.7 |
| Smith Valley 7-8 Kalispell, MT | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Swan River 6-8
What grades does Swan River 6-8 serve?
Swan River 6-8 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Swan River 6-8?
Swan River 6-8 has an enrollment of approximately 69 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Swan River 6-8?
The student-teacher ratio at Swan River 6-8 is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Swan River 6-8 rank in MT?
Swan River 6-8 is ranked #533 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Swan River 6-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Swan River 6-8 has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Swan River 6-8?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Swan River 6-8 has 38.7% math proficiency and 67.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Swan River 6-8 a charter school?
No, Swan River 6-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Swan River 6-8 a Title I school?
No, Swan River 6-8 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Swan River 6-8?
30.4% of students at Swan River 6-8 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 69
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Flathead County
- Phone
- (406) 837-4528
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Swan River Elem- District Enrollment
- 180
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $8,471
- 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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