Top Rankings
Swan River Elementary School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Montana for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
For the 2026 school year, there is 1 public preschool serving 111 students in Swan River Elementary School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public pre schools in Montana.
Public Preschool in Swan River Elementary School District have an average math proficiency score of 24% (versus the Montana public pre school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Montana public preschool average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (MT)
# Schools
2 Schools
391 Schools
# Students
180 Students
64,779 Students
# Teachers
13 Teachers
4,819 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Swan River Elementary School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 333 school districts in Montana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
Overall District Rank
#112 out of 350 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
17%
37%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-54%
46%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-59%
37%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.24
0.40
% American Indian
2%
10%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
5%
6%
% Black
1%
1%
% White
87%
77%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $10,617 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,312. The school district revenue/student has grown by 25% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $9,978 is less than the state median of $15,401. The school district spending/student has grown by 26% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$2 MM
$2,285 MM
Spending
$2 MM
$2,298 MM
Revenue / Student
$10,617
$15,312
Spending / Student
$9,978
$15,401
Best Swan River Elementary School District Public Preschools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Swan River School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1205 Swan Highway
Bigfork, MT 59911
(406) 837-4528
Bigfork, MT 59911
(406) 837-4528
Gr: PK-5 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Recent Articles
Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Explore the latest 2026 data, trends, costs, and parent planning tips in the ongoing debate over year-round schooling vs the traditional calendar.
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
Explore how No Child Left Behind evolved into ESSA, what it means for 2025‑26 schooling, and what parents need to know about testing, admissions planning, and funding.
Understanding Public School Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Discover what public school fees are required versus optional, with 2026 updates for parents, students, and educators on budgeting and planning.
