Skip to main content

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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-8.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-13.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,358

Swan River School — Students at Swan River School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 25.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.3%
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
42%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
42%

* 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.

Overall Score
3.0/10
0th percentile in MT
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
2.2/10
Below average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

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.

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
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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.