Needs Improvement
#602 of 603 schools in MT
Swan River School
Elementary School · Swan River Elem
1205 Swan Highway, Bigfork, MT 59911
Enrollment
111
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
3.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
111
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
3.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bigfork
#5 of 5
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#318 of 319
In district
#2 of 2
Swan River Elem
About Swan River School
Swan River School is an elementary school located in Bigfork, Montana, nestled in the Flathead County area. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has a total enrollment of 111 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, Swan River provides personalized attention to each child's educational needs.
Swan River School is situated in a remote rural setting, offering a close-knit community atmosphere for its students. The school focuses on providing a supportive learning environment, with teachers dedicated to fostering the development and well-being of their young pupils. Although Swan River has a MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 out of 10 and is ranked 597th out of 605 schools in Montana (2nd percentile), it continues to prioritize student growth and engagement.
In terms of academic performance, the school shows that 50% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 25% reach proficiency or above in Math. These scores indicate areas where Swan River School is working diligently to improve its educational offerings and support for its students. Swan River School stands as an important part of the Bigfork community, nestled amidst a rural landscape that offers unique opportunities for learning beyond the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 111 students, Swan River School 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 School 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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Swan River School — Students at Swan River School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.3%
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: 2.2/10.
How Swan River School Compares
See how Swan River School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
1205 Swan Highway, Bigfork, MT 59911
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Swan River School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fair-Mont-Egan School (rated 8.9/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Deer Park School (rated 8.1/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Columbia Falls), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lakeside Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Somers), 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 6-8 Bigfork | 0.0 mi | 4.6 |
| 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 School 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 |
|---|---|
| Kila School Kila, MT | 3.1 |
| Lincoln School Miles City, MT | 3.3 |
| Alberton Elementary Alberton, MT | 3.4 |
| YELLOWSTONE VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fairview, MT | 3.7 |
| Centerville School Sand Coulee, MT | 3.8 |
| White Sulphur Springs El White Sulphur Springs, MT | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Swan River School
What grades does Swan River School serve?
Swan River School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Swan River School?
Swan River School has an enrollment of approximately 111 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Swan River School?
The student-teacher ratio at Swan River School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Swan River School rank in MT?
Swan River School is ranked #602 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Swan River School's MySchoolScout rating?
Swan River School has a composite rating of 3.0 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Swan River School has 25.3% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Swan River School a charter school?
No, Swan River School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Swan River School a Title I school?
No, Swan River School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Swan River School?
33.3% of students at Swan River School 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 111
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.3%
- 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
- #2 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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