Average
#391 of 603 schools in MT
Ben Steele Middle School
Middle School · Billings Elem
415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101
Enrollment
738
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
738
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Billings
#22 of 42
public schools
Montana middle schools
#85 of 143
In district
#16 of 28
Billings Elem
About Ben Steele Middle School
Ben Steele Middle School is a public middle school located in Billings, Montana, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 738 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1, the school offers personalized attention and support for its learners. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 42 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to foster a positive learning environment.
Academically, Ben Steele Middle School has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10, placing it at number 271 among the state's 605 schools, which is in the 55th percentile. The school’s academic score stands at 6.3/10, indicating there is room for growth and improvement. In terms of proficiency, 53% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 39% meet or exceed expectations in Math.
Ben Steele Middle School sits in the heart of Billings, a mid-size city with diverse neighborhoods and cultural amenities. The school is well-integrated into its community, offering students opportunities to engage in local activities and events.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Ben Steele Middle School — Students at Ben Steele Middle School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.7/10.
How Ben Steele Middle School Compares
See how Ben Steele Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 49% (2019) to 51% (2022).
Location
415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ben Steele Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Will James Middle School (rated 4.7/10, 3.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Elder Grove 7-8 (rated 4.6/10, 3.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Canyon Creek 6-8 (rated 4.1/10, 5.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Billings, see our Billings schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GRACE MONTESSORI ACADEMY Billings | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| SHILOH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Billings | 2.4 mi | — |
| Elder Grove School Billings | 3.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Elder Grove 7-8 Billings | 3.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Arrowhead School Billings | 2.5 mi | 6.9 |
| YELLOWSTONE ACADEMY Billings | 3.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Yellowstone Academy Elem Billings | 3.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Yellowstone Academy 7-8 Billings | 3.7 mi | — |
| TRAILHEAD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Billings | 3.1 mi | — |
| Boulder School Billings | 3.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Big Sky Elementary Billings | 3.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Will James Middle School Billings | 3.3 mi | 4.7 |
| LOG CABIN SCHOOL Billings | 3.5 mi | — |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Billings | 3.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Meadowlark School Billings | 3.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Canyon Creek School Billings | 5.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Canyon Creek 6-8 Billings | 5.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Poly Drive School Billings | 4.2 mi | 6.7 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Billings | 4.3 mi | — |
| Central Heights School Billings | 4.4 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,165
Median Home Value
$243,000
Median Rent
$930/mo
Population
41,797
College Educated
22.4%
Homeownership
57.8%
Avg Commute
17.7 min
Poverty Rate
15.6%
Median Age
36.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ben Steele Middle School has a median household income of $58,165. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $243,000, with a median rent of $930/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hamilton Middle School Hamilton, MT | 5.7 |
| Riverside Middle School Billings, MT | 5.7 |
| Castle Rock Middle School Billings, MT | 5.8 |
| Kalispell Middle School Kalispell, MT | 5.8 |
| Helena Middle School Helena, MT | 5.6 |
| C R Anderson Middle Schl Helena, MT | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ben Steele Middle School
What grades does Ben Steele Middle School serve?
Ben Steele Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Ben Steele Middle School?
Ben Steele Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 738 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ben Steele Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ben Steele Middle School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ben Steele Middle School rank in MT?
Ben Steele Middle School is ranked #391 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Ben Steele Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ben Steele Middle School has a composite rating of 5.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Ben Steele Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ben Steele Middle School has 38.7% math proficiency and 52.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ben Steele Middle School a charter school?
No, Ben Steele Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ben Steele Middle School a Title I school?
No, Ben Steele Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ben Steele Middle School?
18.2% of students at Ben Steele Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,860/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Billings). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 738
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Yellowstone County
- Phone
- (406) 601-1600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Billings Elem- District Enrollment
- 11,089
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,015
- District Rank
- #16 of 28
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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