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Below Average

#513 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

4.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#513 of 603

In Billings

#31 of 42

public schools

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Blue Creek School

4.5/10

Elementary School in Billings · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ponderosa School

3.8/10

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

Riverside Middle School

3.6/10

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

About Blue Creek School

Blue Creek School is a public elementary school in Billings, MT, part of Blue Creek Elem. Blue Creek School serves approximately 177 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Blue Creek School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #513 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Blue Creek School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.0 pts below MT schools
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 177 students, Blue Creek School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Blue Creek School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.49 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,265
Chronic Absenteeism20.3%

Blue Creek School — Students at Blue Creek School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

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 52.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 64.0% (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
87%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
97.5%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
47%
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: 3.2/10.

How Blue Creek School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
15th percentile in MT
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.3%

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

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. Elysian School (rated 8.2/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is McKinley School (rated 8.2/10, 5.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Central Heights School (rated 8.2/10, 5.6 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 3.8
Riverside Middle School Billings 4.4 mi 3.6
Newman School Billings 4.2 mi 4.6
Orchard School Billings 4.6 mi 4.0
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 5.4
Washington School Billings 5.2 mi 4.7
Elysian School Billings 4.3 mi 8.2
Elysian Middle School Billings 4.3 mi 7.8
Billings Sr High School Billings 5.8 mi 4.1
McKinley School Billings 5.9 mi 8.2
SUNRISE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Billings 5.8 mi 6.4
Miles Avenue School Billings 5.6 mi 4.6
Lewis & Clark Middle School Billings 5.9 mi 4.6
Highland School Billings 6.3 mi 6.5
Central Heights School Billings 5.6 mi 8.2
Billings West High School Billings 5.8 mi 5.2
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Broadus School Broadus, MT 4.6
Broadwater School Helena, MT 4.6
Culbertson School Culbertson, MT 4.4
Kennedy School Butte, MT 4.6
Newman School Billings, MT 4.6
Ramsay School Ramsay, MT 4.4

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 ranks #513 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Blue Creek School's MySchoolScout rating?

Blue Creek School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Blue Creek School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Blue Creek School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
1 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.3%

District

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

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