Below Average
#535 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
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
314
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Billings
#36 of 42
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#288 of 319
In district
#24 of 28
Billings Elem
About Bench School
Bench School is an elementary public school located in Billings, Montana, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a total enrollment of 314 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.3:1, Bench School offers personalized attention to its young learners. The school has 22 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education in a mid-size city setting.
Academically, Bench School currently ranks at the 22nd percentile among Montana schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.5 out of 10. Students perform above grade level in math at a rate of 32% proficient or above, while 29% are proficient or above in ELA/reading skills. These scores suggest there is room for improvement and growth in the school's educational programs.
Bench School is situated within Billings, offering students access to resources and activities typical of a mid-size city environment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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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 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: 4.3/10.
How Bench School Compares
See how Bench School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 22% (2022).
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 8.5/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eagle Cliffs Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Beartooth School (rated 7.3/10, 1.5 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 | 3.6 |
| Medicine Crow Middle School Billings | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Sandstone School Billings | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Beartooth School Billings | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Alkali Creek School Billings | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Castle Rock Middle School Billings | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Independent School Billings | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Lockwood Intermediate Lockwood | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Lockwood Primary Lockwood | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Lockwood Middle School Lockwood | 2.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Lockwood High School Lockwood | 2.2 mi | 3.6 |
| Skyview High School Billings | 2.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Eagle Cliffs Elementary Billings | 2.2 mi | 7.8 |
| McKinley School Billings | 2.9 mi | 8.5 |
| BILLINGS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Billings | 3.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Billings Sr High School Billings | 3.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Riverside Middle School Billings | 3.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Orchard School Billings | 3.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Broadwater School Billings | 3.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Highland School Billings | 3.4 mi | 7.3 |
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 Bench 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 |
|---|---|
| Hawthorne School Helena, MT | 4.5 |
| Newman School Billings, MT | 4.5 |
| Lincoln-McKinley School Havre, MT | 4.4 |
| Pablo Elementary Ronan, MT | 4.4 |
| Prickly Pear Elem East Helena, MT | 4.4 |
| K William Harvey Elem Ronan, MT | 4.7 |
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 is ranked #535 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Bench School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bench School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Bench School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bench School has 32.0% math proficiency and 28.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (406) 281-6203
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Billings Elem- District Enrollment
- 11,089
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,015
- District Rank
- #24 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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