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Average

#225 of 603 schools in MT

Top 37% in state

Big Sky Elementary

Elementary School · Billings Elem

415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101

Enrollment

341

Student-Teacher

17.9:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Billings

#11 of 42

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#130 of 319

In district

#7 of 28

Billings Elem

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Big Sky Elementary

Big Sky Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Billings, Montana, nestled at 415 North 30th Street. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 341 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.9:1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Big Sky Elementary places it in the 70th percentile among Montana schools, ranking as the 180th out of 605 elementary schools statewide.

Test scores show that 36% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and 43% are proficient or above in math, indicating areas for continued academic growth. Big Sky Elementary is situated in a mid-size city, providing a supportive community environment where teachers focus on individual student development and nurturing young minds. The school's setting offers students access to various cultural and educational resources within the vibrant city of Billings.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.8 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.4Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-2.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,537

Big Sky Elementary — Students at Big Sky Elementary score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

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 43.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
41%
ELA
34%
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: 8.7/10.

How Big Sky Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
63th percentile in MT
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

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. Elysian School (rated 7.1/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Arrowhead School (rated 6.9/10, 2.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Poly Drive School (rated 6.7/10, 2.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 5.6
SHILOH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Billings 1.1 mi
Will James Middle School Billings 1.6 mi 4.7
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Billings 1.6 mi 5.6
Central Heights School Billings 1.3 mi 5.6
MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Billings 1.4 mi
Elysian School Billings 1.7 mi 7.1
Elysian Middle School Billings 1.7 mi 7.7
Billings West High School Billings 1.6 mi 5.0
Boulder School Billings 2.3 mi 6.1
Burlington School Billings 2.0 mi 5.4
LOG CABIN SCHOOL Billings 2.4 mi
Arrowhead School Billings 2.6 mi 6.9
NEW DAY Billings 2.0 mi 7.6
Poly Drive School Billings 2.6 mi 6.7
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 5.7
Rose Park School Billings 2.6 mi 3.9

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 Big Sky Elementary 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
East Evergreen School Kalispell, MT 6.8
Irle Elementary School Glasgow, MT 6.8
Kennedy School Butte, MT 6.8
B A Winans School Livingston, MT 6.7
Eureka Elementary School Eureka, MT 6.7
Jefferson School Glendive, MT 6.7

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 is ranked #225 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Big Sky Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Big Sky Elementary has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Big Sky Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Big Sky Elementary has 43.3% math proficiency and 36.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

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
341
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Yellowstone County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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.

Read our full methodology

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