Smith Valley Primary School

Summary:

Smith Valley Primary School is an elementary school serving grades PK-6 in Kalispell, MT, with a student population of 168 as of the 2022-2023 school year. The school is part of the West Valley Elementary district, which is ranked 246 out of 300 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Smith Valley Primary School has a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 14:1, its academic performance is generally lower than nearby schools and the state average. In the 2022-2023 school year, the school had proficiency rates of 24.71% in math, 31.76% in reading, and 29.63% in science, all of which are below the district and state averages. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Montana elementary schools, with a ranking of 257 out of 332 schools in the 2022-2023 school year, the lowest among the nearby schools analyzed.

Another notable factor is the school's racial makeup, with 88.1% of students being white, significantly higher than the nearby schools, which range from 81.39% to 95.4% white students. This lack of diversity may be a concern for some parents. In comparison, nearby schools like Fair-Mont-Egan School and Edgerton School have significantly higher academic performance and statewide rankings, suggesting that Smith Valley Primary School may be underperforming compared to its peers in the region.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

2901 Hwy 2 West
Kalispell, MT 59901

(406) 756-4535

District: Smith Valley Elementary

SchoolDigger Rank:
257^th of 332 Montana Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,717

Students who attend Smith Valley Primary School usually attend:

Middle:	Smith Valley 7-8
High:	Flathead High School

Student/teacher ratio: 13.2

Number of students: 155

Racial breakdown:

White:

91.6%

Two or more races:

6.5%

Asian:

0.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 51%

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Compare Smith Valley Primary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Smith Valley Primary School ranks worse than 77.4% of elementary schools in Montana. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 29.16. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (91.6%), two or more races (6.5%), American Indian (0.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 51% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Smith Valley Primary School is 13.2. (See more...)

Compare Smith Valley Primary School employs 11.6 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Smith Valley Primary School is $10,717.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Smith Valley Primary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Smith Valley Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Smith Valley Elementary 246^th of 300 Montana school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Smith Valley Primary School.

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Rank History for Smith Valley Primary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MT State Percentile
2004	43.86	137^th	217	36.9%
2005	9.40	204^th	218	6.4%
2006	30.76	201^st	234	14.1%
2007	26.19	208^th	230	9.6%
2008	25.44	170^th	194	12.4%
2009	38.41	149^th	190	21.6%
2010	33.01	193^rd	241	19.9%
2011	31.92	197^th	247	20.2%
2012	52.06	142^nd	244	41.8%
2013	51.62	149^th	246	39.4%
2021	23.30	290^th	356	18.5%
2022	44.31	220^th	329	33.1%
2023	29.16	257^th	332	22.6%

See the entire list of Montana Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Montana Office of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Montana Office of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Monday, April 6, 2020

My kids have been going to Smith Valley for three years. They are both excelling academically and it has been a positive experience overall. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Smith Valley Primary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1990	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	98	98
1991	97	0	0	0	2	n/a	n/a	0	99
1992	112	0	1	0	1	n/a	n/a	0	114
1993	129	0	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	131
1994	125	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	125
1995	123	0	1	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	127
1996	123	0	1	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	127
1997	113	0	2	2	5	n/a	n/a	0	122
1998	110	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	110
1999	103	0	2	1	8	n/a	n/a	0	114
2000	116	0	3	0	8	n/a	n/a	0	127
2001	106	0	3	1	3	n/a	n/a	0	113
2002	118	0	3	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	122
2003	118	0	3	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	122
2004	144	0	3	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	149
2005	137	0	3	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	143
2006	130	1	1	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	135
2007	144	1	2	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	152
2008	170	0	0	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	174
2009	160	1	0	6	0	n/a	n/a	0	167
2010	140	2	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	145
2011	151	2	0	4	0	0	0	0	157
2012	162	1	0	6	1	0	2	0	172
2013	150	1	0	8	1	0	7	0	167
2014	171	1	0	4	1	0	7	0	184
2015	160	1	0	5	1	0	10	0	177
2016	165	1	0	6	0	0	11	0	183
2017	170	1	0	6	1	0	9	0	187
2018	160	2	0	4	1	0	8	0	175
2019	167	1	0	3	2	1	5	0	179
2020	152	1	0	3	1	0	7	0	164
2021	156	0	1	1	2	0	8	0	168
2022	158	0	0	0	2	0	11	0	171
2023	148	0	0	2	2	0	16	0	168
2024	142	0	1	1	1	0	10	0	155

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Smith Valley Primary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	98	6.5	15.0	n/a
1991	99	7.6	13.0	0
1992	114	7.0	16.2	13.2
1993	131	7.4	17.7	13
1994	125	6.9	18.1	18.4
1995	127	8.7	14.6	22.8
1996	127	8.7	14.6	22.8
1997	122	8.4	14.5	41.8
1998	110	8.4	13.1	35.5
1999	114	8.2	13.9	45.6
2000	127	8.9	14.3	42.5
2001	113	8.9	12.7	52.2
2002	122	8.4	14.5	46.7
2003	122	8.4	14.5	46.7
2004	149	9.9	15.1	53
2005	143	10.7	13.4	52.4
2006	135	10.0	13.5	53.3
2007	152	10.1	15.0	45.4
2008	174	11.3	15.4	47.1
2009	167	11.5	14.5	52.1
2010	145	11.4	12.6	57.9
2011	157	11.0	14.2	52.2
2012	172	10.6	16.0	61
2013	167	11.3	14.6	60.5
2014	184	11.5	16.0	50.5
2015	177	13.0	13.6	41.8
2016	183	14.0	13.0	51.9
2017	187	13.7	13.5	50.8
2018	175	13.9	12.5	41.1
2019	179	12.9	13.8	45.8
2020	164	13.7	11.9	50.6
2021	168	12.8	13.0	n/a
2022	171	13.2	12.9	n/a
2023	168	11.9	14.0	n/a
2024	155	11.6	13.2	51

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Smith Valley Primary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	98	6.5	15.0	n/a
1991	99	7.6	13.0	0
1992	114	7.0	16.2	13.2
1993	131	7.4	17.7	13
1994	125	6.9	18.1	18.4
1995	127	8.7	14.6	22.8
1996	127	8.7	14.6	22.8
1997	122	8.4	14.5	41.8
1998	110	8.4	13.1	35.5
1999	114	8.2	13.9	45.6
2000	127	8.9	14.3	42.5
2001	113	8.9	12.7	52.2
2002	122	8.4	14.5	46.7
2003	122	8.4	14.5	46.7
2004	149	9.9	15.1	53
2005	143	10.7	13.4	52.4
2006	135	10.0	13.5	53.3
2007	152	10.1	15.0	45.4
2008	174	11.3	15.4	47.1
2009	167	11.5	14.5	52.1
2010	145	11.4	12.6	57.9
2011	157	11.0	14.2	52.2
2012	172	10.6	16.0	61
2013	167	11.3	14.6	60.5
2014	184	11.5	16.0	50.5
2015	177	13.0	13.6	41.8
2016	183	14.0	13.0	51.9
2017	187	13.7	13.5	50.8
2018	175	13.9	12.5	41.1
2019	179	12.9	13.8	45.8
2020	164	13.7	11.9	50.6
2021	168	12.8	13.0	n/a
2022	171	13.2	12.9	n/a
2023	168	11.9	14.0	n/a
2024	155	11.6	13.2	51

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Smith Valley Primary School

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2019	$9,064
2021	$10,819
2022	$10,881
2023	$10,717

Data source: Montana Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Smith Valley Primary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	179	168	6.1%
African American	1	0	100%
American Indian	2	2
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	3	2	33.3%
Pacific Islander	1	0	100%
White	167	148	11.4%
Two or More Races	5	16	220%

Schools Near Smith Valley Primary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2023)				Ranking (2022)				Montana State Tests Mathematics (2023)	Montana State Tests Reading (2023)	Montana State Tests Science (2023)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	SchoolDigger Rating (2023)	Average Standard Score (2022)	Statewide Rank (2022)	State Percentile (2022)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Montana State Tests Mathematics All Grades	Montana State Tests Reading All Grades	Montana State Tests Science All Grades	Total
Smith Valley Primary School	Public	PK, KG-6	2901 Hwy 2 West	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	Smith Valley Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 756-4535	155	12	13.2	51.0%	142 (91.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	1 (0.6%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (6.5%)	29.2	257^th of 332 public elementary schools	22.6%		44.3	220^th of 329 public elementary schools	33.1%	37	24.7	31.8	29.6	$10,717
Kila School	Public	PK, KG-6	395 Kila Road	Kila	59920	Flathead County	Kila Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 257-2428	135	9	15.8	48.9%	124 (91.9%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (2.2%)	51.2	186^th of 332 public elementary schools	44.0%		52.8	185^th of 329 public elementary schools	43.8%	1	28.4	43.2	45.0	$9,813
West Valley School	Public	PK, KG-4	2290 Farm To Market Road	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	West Valley Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 755-7239	422	27	15.7	29.9%	381 (90.3%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.6%)	3 (0.7%)	5 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (4.3%)	80.5	63^rd of 332 public elementary schools	81.0%		85.9	58^th of 329 public elementary schools	82.4%	5	57.1	54.2		$12,499
Lillian Peterson School	Public	PK, KG-5	1119 2nd Street W	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	Kalispell Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 751-3737	351	21	16.7	53.3%	305 (86.9%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (5.7%)	4 (1.1%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.4%)	77.5	77^th of 332 public elementary schools	76.8%		88.2	39^th of 329 public elementary schools	88.1%	38	53.3	50.0	53.1	$10,506
Elrod School	Public	PK, KG-5	412 3rd Avenue W	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	Kalispell Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 751-3700	211	18	11.7	100.0%	172 (81.5%)	1 (0.5%)	17 (8.1%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	18 (8.5%)	51.5	183^rd of 332 public elementary schools	44.9%		38.3	242^nd of 329 public elementary schools	26.4%	59	36.5	43.9	36.7	$13,056
Russell School	Public	PK, KG-5	227 West Nevada	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	Kalispell Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 751-3900	216	16	13.5	100.0%	181 (83.8%)	1 (0.5%)	9 (4.2%)	2 (0.9%)	4 (1.9%)	1 (0.5%)	18 (8.3%)	76.8	80^th of 332 public elementary schools	75.9%		80.9	75^th of 329 public elementary schools	77.2%	5	47.5	51.0	56.8	$12,659
Jeannette Rankin Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2155 Airport Road	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	Kalispell Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 751-3400	426	25	17.0	100.0%	372 (87.3%)	1 (0.2%)	23 (5.4%)	1 (0.2%)	4 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	24 (5.6%)	67	115^th of 332 public elementary schools	65.4%		68.9	120^th of 329 public elementary schools	63.5%	5	52.7	56.6	32.2	$11,308
Cornelius Hedges School	Public	PK, KG-5	827 4th Avenue E	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	Kalispell Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 751-4090	320	21	15.2	49.7%	273 (85.3%)	1 (0.3%)	18 (5.6%)	4 (1.3%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	21 (6.6%)	72.8	92^nd of 332 public elementary schools	72.3%		61.7	146^th of 329 public elementary schools	55.6%	54	47.8	63.0	38.5	$13,278
Edgerton School	Public	PK, KG-5	1400 Whitefish Stage	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	Kalispell Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 751-4040	509	29	17.5	30.5%	443 (87.0%)	5 (1.0%)	23 (4.5%)	5 (1.0%)	6 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (5.3%)	81.7	57^th of 332 public elementary schools	82.8%		88.8	36^th of 329 public elementary schools	89.1%	21	56.1	54.0	53.9	$10,761
East Evergreen School	Public	PK, KG-4	585 E. Evergreen	Kalispell	59901	Flathead County	Evergreen Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 751-1121	351	27	13.2	100.0%	289 (82.3%)	2 (0.6%)	32 (9.1%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.9%)	2 (0.6%)	23 (6.6%)	38.3	230^th of 332 public elementary schools	30.7%		57.8	158^th of 329 public elementary schools	52.0%	72	35.9	31.7		$14,696

Frequently Asked Questions about Smith Valley Primary School

How many students attend Smith Valley Primary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 155 students attended Smith Valley Primary School.

What schools do graduates of Smith Valley Primary School attend?

Students who attend Smith Valley Primary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Smith Valley 7-8
High : Flathead High School

Is Smith Valley Primary School a good school?

Smith Valley Primary School ranks in the bottom 22.6% of Montana elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Smith Valley Primary School?

Students at Smith Valley Primary School are 92% White, 6% Two or more races.

What district is Smith Valley Primary School in?

Smith Valley Elementary

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Montana Office of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.