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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

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 metrics
Student Progress3.3Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+5.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
Resources & Environment1.6Significantly Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,358

Swan River 6-8 — Students at Swan River 6-8 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 67.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
62%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.6/10
12th percentile in MT
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
1.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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