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Below Average

#506 of 603 schools in MT

Big Sky Elementary

Elementary School · Billings Elem

415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101

Enrollment

341

Student-Teacher

17.9:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#506 of 603

In Billings

#30 of 42

public schools

In district

#22 of 28

Billings Elem

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Big Sky Elementary

4.6/10

Elementary School in Billings · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Trailhead Christian School

Nearby

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

Meadowlark School

8.5/10

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

About Big Sky Elementary

Big Sky Elementary is a public elementary school in Billings, MT, part of Billings Elem. Big Sky Elementary serves approximately 341 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Big Sky Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #506 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Big Sky Elementary show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

31% of students at Big Sky Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.17 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,015
Chronic Absenteeism31.4%

Big Sky Elementary — Students at Big Sky Elementary score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 50.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
78%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
73%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
71%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
38%
ELA
41%
2015
Math
35%
ELA
46%
2016
Math
40%
ELA
36%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
41%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
41%
ELA
34%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
37%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Big Sky Elementary Compares

See how Big Sky Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
16th percentile in MT
Academic
6.4/10
Average
Growth
4.0/10
Below Average
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.4%

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 Big Sky Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Meadowlark School (rated 8.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Heights School (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Elysian School (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Billings, see our Billings schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
TRAILHEAD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Billings 1.2 mi
Meadowlark School Billings 1.1 mi 8.5
SHILOH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Billings 1.1 mi
Will James Middle School Billings 1.6 mi 4.0
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Billings 1.6 mi 5.6
Central Heights School Billings 1.3 mi 8.2
MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Billings 1.4 mi
Elysian School Billings 1.7 mi 8.2
Elysian Middle School Billings 1.7 mi 7.8
Billings West High School Billings 1.6 mi 5.2
Boulder School Billings 2.3 mi 7.7
Burlington School Billings 2.0 mi 5.7
LOG CABIN SCHOOL Billings 2.4 mi
Arrowhead School Billings 2.6 mi 7.5
NEW DAY Billings 2.0 mi 7.6
Poly Drive School Billings 2.6 mi 6.6
NEW DAY SCHOOL Billings 2.0 mi 6.6
ST FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Billings 2.6 mi 5.9
Miles Avenue School Billings 2.3 mi 4.6
Rose Park School Billings 2.6 mi 3.4

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
Broadwater School Helena, MT 4.6
Kennedy School Butte, MT 4.6
Miles Avenue School Billings, MT 4.6
Newman School Billings, MT 4.6
Lewis & Clark School Great Falls, MT 4.5
Lolo Elementary Lolo, MT 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Big Sky Elementary

What grades does Big Sky Elementary serve?

Big Sky Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Big Sky Elementary?

Big Sky Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 341 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Sky Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Big Sky Elementary is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Big Sky Elementary rank in MT?

Big Sky Elementary ranks #506 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Big Sky Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Big Sky Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Big Sky Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Big Sky Elementary has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Big Sky Elementary a charter school?

No, Big Sky Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Big Sky Elementary a Title I school?

No, Big Sky Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Big Sky Elementary?

36.1% of students at Big Sky Elementary 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
62 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
341
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Yellowstone County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.4%

District

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

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