Below Average
#533 of 603 schools in MT
Bench School
Elementary School · Billings Elem
415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101
Enrollment
314
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
314
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Montana schools
#533 of 603
In Billings
#33 of 42
public schools
In district
#23 of 28
Billings Elem
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Bench School
Elementary School in Billings · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Bitterroot School
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Medicine Crow Middle School
1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bench School
Bench School is a public elementary school in Billings, MT, part of Billings Elem. Bench School serves approximately 314 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Bench School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #533 of 603 schools in MT.
Structured state assessment records for Bench School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- District avg 5.8
- MT avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
45% of students at Bench School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bench School — Students at Bench School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 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: 4.7/10.
How Bench School Compares
See how Bench School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bench School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. McKinley School (rated 8.2/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lockwood Intermediate (rated 8.1/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Lockwood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eagle Cliffs Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Billings, see our Billings schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bitterroot School Billings | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Medicine Crow Middle School Billings | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Sandstone School Billings | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Beartooth School Billings | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Alkali Creek School Billings | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Castle Rock Middle School Billings | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Independent School Billings | 2.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Lockwood Intermediate Lockwood | 2.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Lockwood Primary Lockwood | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Lockwood Middle School Lockwood | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Lockwood High School Lockwood | 2.2 mi | 3.5 |
| Skyview High School Billings | 2.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Eagle Cliffs Elementary Billings | 2.2 mi | 7.5 |
| McKinley School Billings | 2.9 mi | 8.2 |
| BILLINGS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Billings | 3.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Billings Sr High School Billings | 3.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Riverside Middle School Billings | 3.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Orchard School Billings | 3.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Broadwater School Billings | 3.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Highland School Billings | 3.4 mi | 6.5 |
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 |
|---|---|
| East Side School Livingston, MT | 4.3 |
| Helena Flats School Kalispell, MT | 4.3 |
| Southside School Wolf Point, MT | 4.3 |
| Napi School Browning, MT | 4.4 |
| Lewis & Clark School Great Falls, MT | 4.5 |
| Lolo Elementary Lolo, MT | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bench School
What grades does Bench School serve?
Bench School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Bench School?
Bench School has an enrollment of approximately 314 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bench School?
The student-teacher ratio at Bench School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bench School rank in MT?
Bench School ranks #533 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Bench School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bench School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Bench School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bench School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Bench School a charter school?
No, Bench School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bench School a Title I school?
No, Bench School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bench School?
68.2% of students at Bench 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 314
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Yellowstone County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 44.6%
- Phone
- (406) 281-6203
Resources & Links
District
Billings Elem- District Enrollment
- 11,089
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,015
- District Rank
- #23 of 28
Other Schools in This District
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