Swan River School

Swan River School is one of the low-enrollment elementary-level communitys in Bigfork, Montana, overseen by Swan River Elem, with 106 students on its rolls from grades pre-K through 5. Compared to the state average of about 167 students per school, that is 37% below typical.

Within Swan River Elem, which oversees 2 schools and 158 students, Swan River School is one campus in the system.

On demographics, Swan River School shows that nearly all students (91%) are White. Other groups include 4% Hispanic, 4% multiracial. Compared to Flathead County overall, the school's racial mix sits in roughly the same range.

Looking at the economic backdrop, The school currently runs with 8 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 13.0:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 11.9:1, putting Swan River School higher than the state norm the norm. About 100% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, which schools and policymakers use as a rough income-mix signal. By comparison, Flathead County runs at roughly 75%, so the school's eligibility rate is somewhat above the surrounding baseline.

In the broader community, census data for Flathead County shows the typical household earns roughly $73,925 per year, 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 5%. Swan River School is one of 48 public schools in Flathead County (combined enrollment of about 14,957 students).

Swan River 6-8 is the nearest neighboring public school, about 0.0 miles from this campus. 4 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius.

Geographically, the school is in an outlying area.

Looking at the recent track record. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Swan River School has fell 9%, going from 117 students in 2018 to 106 in 2025.

On this page, members of the Swan River School community share and discuss enrollment questions, classroom assignments, and PTA news. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.