Needs Improvement
#591 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
3.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
111
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
3.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Montana schools
#591 of 603
In Bigfork
#5 of 5
public schools
In district
#2 of 2
Swan River Elem
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Swan River School
Elementary School in Bigfork · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Swan River 6-8
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bigfork Elementary
3.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Swan River School
Swan River School is a public elementary school in Bigfork, MT, part of Swan River Elem. Swan River School serves approximately 111 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Swan River School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #591 of 603 schools in MT.
Structured state assessment records for Swan River School show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
- MT avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 111 students, Swan River School 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.
Swan River School 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 Swan River School 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Swan River School — Students at Swan River School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
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 24 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: 2.7/10.
How Swan River School Compares
See how Swan River School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Deer Park School (rated 8.5/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Columbia Falls), which scores notably higher. Another option is Creston School (rated 8.3/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lakeside Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 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 | 6.2 |
| Bigfork Elementary Bigfork | 3.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Bigfork 7-8 Bigfork | 3.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Bigfork High School Bigfork | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Creston School Kalispell | 8.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Cayuse Prairie School Kalispell | 10.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Cayuse Prairie 7-8 Kalispell | 10.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Somers Middle School Somers | 9.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Lakeside Elementary School Somers | 10.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell | 11.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell | 11.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Deer Park School Columbia Falls | 15.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls | 15.1 mi | 7.4 |
| East Evergreen School Kalispell | 13.9 mi | 7.5 |
| 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 | 4.3 |
| Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell | 15.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Evergreen Junior High Kalispell | 14.6 mi | 6.3 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Victor School Victor, MT | 3.1 |
| Alberton Elementary Alberton, MT | 3.0 |
| YELLOWSTONE VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fairview, MT | 3.7 |
| Vaughn School Vaughn, MT | 3.8 |
| Lincoln School Miles City, MT | 4.3 |
| Marion School Marion, MT | 4.3 |
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 ranks #591 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Swan River School's MySchoolScout rating?
Swan River School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Swan River School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Swan River School has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.9%
- Phone
- (406) 837-4528
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
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