The top reported proficiency rate is 45% in English language arts. The lowest is 34% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Swan River Montessori Charter Sch
Swan River Montessori Charter School is a small public Montessori school in Monticello, serving kindergarten through sixth grade. It is a single-site charter school, meaning it operates independently of the local district and is governed by its own board. The school is located on Maple Street in Monticello, a Wright County community along the Mississippi River that has seen steady retail and industrial growth near the Interstate 94 corridor. Monticello itself is a mix of riverfront natural areas and auto-oriented commercial development, with an extensive parks system and a downtown that hosts a community center and seasonal farmers market.
The school is small, with an enrollment that is predominantly white. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Because the school serves only kindergarten through sixth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, and the school does not offer high school programs such as Advanced Placement or career and technical pathways. The school is a public charter, which means it operates with its own board and admissions process, and families choose to enroll here rather than being assigned by a district boundary.
State assessment results from the most recent testing year show a mixed picture. In reading, third graders met the state proficiency benchmark at a rate that was solid, and fourth and fifth graders also posted rates that were above the midpoint. Sixth graders, however, had no students reaching the proficiency mark, though the group tested was very small. In math, third graders performed at a high level, but proficiency dropped sharply in fourth and fifth grades, and again sixth graders had no students meeting the standard. In science, fifth graders had a proficiency rate that was below the midpoint. The school's overall proficiency index across all tested subjects and grades places it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Wright County. A parent may want to look into this further with the school, particularly to understand the pattern of strong early-grade results and the steep drop-off in later elementary years.
The school is a public Montessori, which means it follows the Montessori educational approach, emphasizing self-directed learning, mixed-age classrooms, and hands-on materials. This is a specific pedagogical choice that appeals to some families and not others. The school is small, and its enrollment is heavily white, with a modest share of students from low-income households. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available.
Because the school serves only through sixth grade, families will need to plan for a transition to a different school for middle school and beyond. Monticello is served by the Monticello School District, which operates the area's public middle and high schools, and families may also consider other charter or private options. The school's charter status means it has its own enrollment process, and families should check directly for application timelines and any lottery procedures.
Housing in the area is priced near the state median, and rents are moderate. Monticello has seen growth in recent years, with new retail and industrial development along the Interstate 94 corridor, and the city has a comprehensive growth plan in place. The school itself is located on Maple Street in Monticello, and the district brief turned up no recent major changes or initiatives to report for the charter school.
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