Swift River Elementary School

57 State Street

School District

Belchertown
Grade

1-3
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for Belchertown School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 02, 2020

So far so good, for my 3rd grader. I have a kindergartener who will start SR next year and I am looking forward to being involved there another three years.
Submitted by parent on July 17, 2018

While I do not love the American public school system, Swift River has served my daughter well while she was there. The SPED teachers are FANTASTIC, kind and helpful, and my daughter experienced no negative attention for receiving extra help.
Submitted by parent on March 29, 2016

If your child needs ANY kind of help with their education DONT expect them to help. They claim they're all about education and support but I have struggled with them for 3 years to get my child the help she needed and STILL nothing! The bullying in that school is RIDICULOUS! The teachers are just as guilty as the kids and the principal and vice principal find bullying the parents acceptable. They have their "peace builders" pledge..pfft! They don't implement peace building in any way except when practicing that song and some signs hung around the school, because every time my child has been bullied the faculty shoo her away & tell her to go work it out herself as she walks away with tears in her eyes. It's NOT a good school at all! I wouldn't recommend it to anyone!! They refuse to give help to those who need it & they target specific families for whatever reason, and will never take acceptance for their own faults, they'll tell you you're a terrible parent or the life at home must be unacceptable if the child is having trouble with anything whether it's being bullied or education wise. They're just terrible all around. I moved to Amherst and just on the first day my child had a boost of confidence I haven't seen in so long it made me feel good!
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2015

We moved to this school district from a town that is known in the area for having the some of the best schools. Belchertown schools are amazing in comparison. The staff at Swift River is incredibly. They have helped my autistic son get a 504 plan, even were the ones to suggest it, when our previous school fought tooth and nail. They have been kind, helpful, always smiling. It's bizarre after coming where we were from. My children love the school, their teachers are experienced, the kids have been welcoming and kind. I researched schools as the top priority when deciding which town to move to. I ober researched, and refused to settle. I looked at test scores, performance reviews, etc. and between that and the amazing atmosphere at this school, there isn't anywhere else I would rather be.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2012

I have had two children go through this school. I would say that 80% of the teachers are great. Of course, with every school, there are those few that you about - no school is perfect. The personalities of the teachers are highly variable so you need to be in communication with your child and the teacher about how things are going. There are teachers that I would insist on a change because I know the fit would not be good. Having a child who uses the Special Education services has been enlightening. I think that the hardest working employees are those that work with any activity under the special "umbrella". The school lunches this year are healthier than ever. The art, music, library, and gym teachers are the best - my kids loved all of their specials. They went to a different special every day of the week. We had good experiences at SRE and I would definitely recommend it for a child grades 1-3. One last thought - the PTO has been outstanding over the past five years - amazing parent involvement.
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2011

We had a horrible year long experience at this school. The communication between the school and the parents was dismal. My daughters teacher missed > 30 days of school. Some days they could not even find a substitute so she had gym or art all day. I was never given a communication that they were aware of the situation and dealing with it. When I went to the open house all the teacher did was complain about having to stay late for open house and how she was so glad the parent after me had cancelled so she could go home. She seemed completely burned out. I asked to switch teachers and was told I had to wait several more weeks until a request could even be made. I attended 3 class activities and each time the classroom was in complete chaos. I found a child wandering around outside alone, far away from the children on the playground, picking through the trash looking for something to eat. no adult supervising anywhere (i was just visiting feeding my baby under the pavillion). i asked to request a teacher the following year so this wouldn't happen again, was told they don't accept requests, only to find out that my louder and more persistent friends got their requests granted.