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#429 of 603 schools in MT

Blue Creek School

Elementary School · Blue Creek Elem

3652 Blue Creek Road, Billings, MT 59101

Enrollment

177

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Billings

#27 of 42

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#236 of 319

About Blue Creek School

Blue Creek School is a regular public elementary school in Billings, Montana, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 177 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each child thrive. Located on Blue Creek Road in a rural area near town, Blue Creek School offers a close-knit community where teachers work closely with families.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.5 out of 10 and ranks at #431 among Montana schools, placing it in the 29th percentile. Academically, students perform around average for their grade level, with 47% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 35% proficient or above in Math. While there is room for improvement in academic scores, Blue Creek School focuses on student development and growth.

Set in a peaceful rural setting, Blue Creek School provides a nurturing environment where students can explore their interests and build strong foundational skills.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 177 students, Blue Creek School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Blue Creek School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,136

Blue Creek School — Students at Blue Creek School score 37% 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

32.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 35.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
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
37%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
42%

* 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: 5.7/10.

How Blue Creek School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
29th percentile in MT
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
5.7/10
Above average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

3652 Blue Creek Road, Billings, MT 59101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Blue Creek School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. McKinley School (rated 8.5/10, 5.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Highland School (rated 7.3/10, 6.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Elysian School (rated 7.1/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Billings, see our Billings schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Ponderosa School Billings 3.7 mi 4.7
Riverside Middle School Billings 4.4 mi 5.7
Newman School Billings 4.2 mi 4.5
Orchard School Billings 4.6 mi 6.9
BILLINGS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Billings 5.3 mi 6.5
NEW DAY SCHOOL Billings 4.7 mi 6.6
NEW DAY Billings 4.7 mi 7.6
Broadwater School Billings 5.3 mi 6.5
Washington School Billings 5.2 mi 6.0
Elysian School Billings 4.3 mi 7.1
Elysian Middle School Billings 4.3 mi 7.7
Billings Sr High School Billings 5.8 mi 5.0
McKinley School Billings 5.9 mi 8.5
SUNRISE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Billings 5.8 mi 6.4
Miles Avenue School Billings 5.6 mi 5.7
Lewis & Clark Middle School Billings 5.9 mi 5.9
Highland School Billings 6.3 mi 7.3
Central Heights School Billings 5.6 mi 5.6
Billings West High School Billings 5.8 mi 5.0
MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Billings 5.8 mi

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 Blue Creek 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
Pine Butte Elementary Sch Colstrip, MT 5.4
Cascade School Cascade, MT 5.3
F E Miley School Big Sandy, MT 5.3
Meadowlark School Chinook, MT 5.3
BUTTE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Butte, MT 5.6
Lone Rock School Stevensville, MT 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Blue Creek School

What grades does Blue Creek School serve?

Blue Creek School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Blue Creek School?

Blue Creek School has an enrollment of approximately 177 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Blue Creek School?

The student-teacher ratio at Blue Creek School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Blue Creek School rank in MT?

Blue Creek School is ranked #429 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Blue Creek School's MySchoolScout rating?

Blue Creek School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Blue Creek School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Blue Creek School has 35.3% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Blue Creek School a charter school?

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

Is Blue Creek School a Title I school?

No, Blue Creek School is not currently a Title I school.

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

32.2% of students at Blue Creek 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 – 6th
Enrollment
177
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Yellowstone County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Blue Creek Elem
District Enrollment
177
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,265
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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