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Very Good

#186 of 603 schools in MT

Top 31% in state

Ben Steele Middle School

Middle School · Billings Elem

415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101

Enrollment

738

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

7.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#186 of 603

In Billings

#10 of 42

public schools

In district

#7 of 28

Billings Elem

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Ben Steele Middle School

7.3/10

Middle School in Billings · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Grace Montessori Academy

7.5/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Shiloh Christian Academy

Nearby

2.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ben Steele Middle School

Ben Steele Middle School is a public middle school in Billings, MT, part of Billings Elem. Ben Steele Middle School serves approximately 738 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Ben Steele Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #186 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Ben Steele Middle School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022).

How it compares2.2 pts above district
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • District avg 5.1
  • MT avg 6.0

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-0.37 pts/yr
Data Period2017–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.4Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency51% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency41% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-7.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,015
Chronic Absenteeism25.2%

Ben Steele Middle School — Students at Ben Steele Middle School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 40.2% (multi-year average, 2017-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.5% (multi-year average, 2017-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 12 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2017
Math
39%
ELA
50%
2018
Math
43%
ELA
49%
2019
Math
43%
ELA
49%
2020*
Math
43%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
43%
ELA
58%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
51%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Ben Steele Middle School Compares

See how Ben Steele Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
69th percentile in MT
Academic
6.4/10
Average
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Canyon Creek 6-8 (rated 6.8/10, 5.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Will James Middle School (rated 4.0/10, 3.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Elder Grove 7-8 (rated 3.7/10, 3.1 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 3.7
Elder Grove 7-8 Billings 3.1 mi 3.7
Arrowhead School Billings 2.5 mi 7.5
YELLOWSTONE ACADEMY Billings 3.7 mi 8.5
Yellowstone Academy Elem Billings 3.7 mi 7.3
Yellowstone Academy 7-8 Billings 3.7 mi
TRAILHEAD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Billings 3.1 mi
Boulder School Billings 3.2 mi 7.7
Big Sky Elementary Billings 3.4 mi 4.6
Will James Middle School Billings 3.3 mi 4.0
LOG CABIN SCHOOL Billings 3.5 mi
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Billings 3.6 mi 5.6
Meadowlark School Billings 3.6 mi 8.5
Canyon Creek School Billings 5.0 mi 6.8
Canyon Creek 6-8 Billings 5.0 mi 6.8
Poly Drive School Billings 4.2 mi 6.6
MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Billings 4.3 mi
Central Heights School Billings 4.4 mi 8.2

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Whitefish Middle 5-8 Whitefish, MT 7.4
Chief Joseph Middle School Bozeman, MT 7.5
North Middle School Great Falls, MT 7.5
Kalispell Middle School Kalispell, MT 7.6
Sacajawea Middle School Bozeman, MT 7.6
Columbia Falls Jr HS Columbia Falls, MT 6.9

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 ranks #186 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Ben Steele Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ben Steele Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ben Steele Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ben Steele Middle School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.2%

District

Billings Elem
District Enrollment
11,089
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,015
District Rank
#7 of 28

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