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Average

#487 of 603 schools in MT

Billings West High School

High School · Billings H S

415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101

Enrollment

2,210

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Billings

#30 of 42

public schools

Montana high schools

#115 of 141

In district

#2 of 3

Billings H S

About Billings West High School

Billings West High School serves 2,210 students in grades 9-12 in Montana's largest city. With 135 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonable class sizes for a large public high school. Academically, Billings West has room for growth, ranking 373rd out of 605 Montana high schools.

The school shows stronger performance in English Language Arts, where 46% of students score proficient or above, compared to 30% in mathematics. These results reflect the ongoing work needed to support student achievement across all subject areas. As one of the larger high schools in the state, Billings West likely offers diverse course options and extracurricular opportunities that come with its substantial enrollment.

The school draws from a working-class community where the median household income is $56,659 and about one in four adults holds a bachelor's degree or higher. Located on North 30th Street in central Billings, the school sits in Montana's economic hub, where students have access to internships, job opportunities, and cultural experiences that a mid-size city provides. The surrounding neighborhood reflects the broader Billings community, with median home values around $224,200 and a mix of families working to build stable futures in Big Sky Country.

What's said publicly about Billings West High School

Sources: Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.

Billings West High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Billings, Montana 2 . It operates as part of the Billings Public Schools district 2 . The school serves approximately 2,000 students and employs over 100 certified staff members 2 . Jeremy Carlson serves as the principal 2 . The school's colors are black and gold, and its mascot is the Golden Bear 2 .
Sources (1)
  1. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

Billings West High School is a large school with 2,210 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46%
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
College Readiness4.7Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation19.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,891

Billings West High School — Students at Billings West High School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
40%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
34%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
46%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Billings West High School Compares

See how Billings West High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
19th percentile in MT
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
135 teachers

Location

415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Billings West High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Elysian Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEW DAY (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Elysian School (rated 7.1/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Billings, see our Billings schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Billings 0.2 mi
Central Heights School Billings 0.4 mi 5.6
Burlington School Billings 0.6 mi 5.4
Miles Avenue School Billings 0.7 mi 5.7
Meadowlark School Billings 0.8 mi 5.6
Rose Park School Billings 1.2 mi 3.9
NEW DAY Billings 1.1 mi 7.6
ST FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Billings 1.3 mi 5.9
NEW DAY SCHOOL Billings 1.1 mi 6.6
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Billings 1.0 mi 5.6
Poly Drive School Billings 1.6 mi 6.7
Lewis & Clark Middle School Billings 1.2 mi 5.9
Will James Middle School Billings 1.3 mi 4.7
TRAILHEAD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Billings 1.3 mi
Washington School Billings 1.4 mi 6.0
LOG CABIN SCHOOL Billings 1.8 mi
Big Sky Elementary Billings 1.6 mi 6.8
Boulder School Billings 1.8 mi 6.1
Elysian School Billings 2.2 mi 7.1
Elysian Middle School Billings 2.2 mi 7.7

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 Billings West High 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
Billings Sr High School Billings, MT 5.0
Skyview High School Billings, MT 4.7
Sentinel High School Missoula, MT 5.4
Great Falls High School Great Falls, MT 4.5
Gallatin High School Bozeman, MT 6.1
Glacier High School Kalispell, MT 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Billings West High School

What grades does Billings West High School serve?

Billings West High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Billings West High School?

Billings West High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,210 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Billings West High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Billings West High School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Billings West High School rank in MT?

Billings West High School is ranked #487 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Billings West High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Billings West High School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Billings West High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Billings West High School has 34.7% math proficiency and 49.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Billings West High School a charter school?

No, Billings West High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Billings West High School a Title I school?

No, Billings West High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Billings West High School?

22.9% of students at Billings West High 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
70 Very Walkable
Bike Score
52 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,860/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Billings). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,210
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
135
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Yellowstone County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Billings H S
District Enrollment
5,481
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,233
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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