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Needs Improvement

#584 of 603 schools in MT

Bitterroot School

Elementary School · Billings Elem

415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101

Enrollment

289

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

3.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Billings

#42 of 42

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#307 of 319

In district

#28 of 28

Billings Elem

About Bitterroot School

Bitterroot School is an elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Billings, Montana. With a total enrollment of 289 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school provides personalized attention to support each child’s learning journey. The faculty consists of 17 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping their young scholars grow academically and socially.

According to MySchoolScout ratings, Bitterroot School has an overall rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks as the 512th school in Montana based on academic performance. In terms of proficiency scores, 37% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 39% meet or exceed proficiency standards in Math. These metrics indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and improvement.

Bitterroot School is situated in a mid-size city setting within Yellowstone County, offering its students access to urban amenities and community resources. The neighborhood around Bitterroot School lacks specific data, but it remains an integral part of the local educational landscape, fostering a supportive environment for young learners.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-12.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.7Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,537

Bitterroot School — Students at Bitterroot School score 30% 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

36.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.0%
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
52%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
32%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Bitterroot School Compares

See how Bitterroot School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.6/10
3th percentile in MT
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
3.2/10
Below average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bitterroot School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. McKinley School (rated 8.5/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eagle Cliffs Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Beartooth School (rated 7.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Billings, see our Billings schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Medicine Crow Middle School Billings 0.2 mi 4.3
Beartooth School Billings 0.6 mi 7.3
Bench School Billings 1.2 mi 4.5
Independent School Billings 1.4 mi 5.8
Sandstone School Billings 1.6 mi 5.4
Castle Rock Middle School Billings 2.0 mi 5.8
Alkali Creek School Billings 2.4 mi 5.2
Lockwood Intermediate Lockwood 2.8 mi 6.9
Lockwood Primary Lockwood 2.8 mi 6.0
Lockwood Middle School Lockwood 2.8 mi 5.7
Lockwood High School Lockwood 2.8 mi 3.6
Skyview High School Billings 2.4 mi 4.7
Eagle Cliffs Elementary Billings 2.7 mi 7.8
Pioneer School Billings 3.0 mi 6.9
McKinley School Billings 4.0 mi 8.5
BILLINGS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Billings 4.4 mi 6.5
Billings Sr High School Billings 4.3 mi 5.0
Riverside Middle School Billings 5.1 mi 5.7
Highland School Billings 4.4 mi 7.3
Orchard School Billings 5.0 mi 6.9

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 Bitterroot 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
Harlem Elementary School Harlem, MT 3.5
Sunnyside School Havre, MT 3.8
H C Davis Elementary Cut Bank, MT 3.4
Florence-Carlton El Schl Florence, MT 3.9
Rose Park School Billings, MT 3.9
Whittier School Butte, MT 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bitterroot School

What grades does Bitterroot School serve?

Bitterroot School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Bitterroot School?

Bitterroot School has an enrollment of approximately 289 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bitterroot School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bitterroot School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bitterroot School rank in MT?

Bitterroot School is ranked #584 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Bitterroot School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bitterroot School has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Bitterroot School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bitterroot School has 38.7% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bitterroot School a charter school?

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

Is Bitterroot School a Title I school?

No, Bitterroot School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bitterroot School?

36.3% of students at Bitterroot 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

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
289
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.3%
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
#28 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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