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Average

#277 of 603 schools in MT

Top 46% in state

Highland School

Elementary School · Billings Elem

415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101

Enrollment

271

Student-Teacher

15.9:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#277 of 603

In Billings

#16 of 42

public schools

In district

#9 of 28

Billings Elem

Academic performance

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Highland School

6.5/10

Elementary School in Billings · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sunrise Montessori School

6.4/10

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

Billings SR High School

4.1/10

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

About Highland School

Highland School is a public elementary school in Billings, MT, part of Billings Elem. Highland School serves approximately 271 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #277 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Highland School show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • MT avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.56 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency45% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+0.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,015
Chronic Absenteeism22.5%

Highland School — Students at Highland School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 54.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 56.2% (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
77%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
47%
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: 6.2/10.

How Highland School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
54th percentile in MT
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
6.2/10
Average
Environment
5.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.5%

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

415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. McKinley School (rated 8.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eagle Cliffs Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, SUNRISE MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Billings, see our Billings schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
SUNRISE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Billings 0.5 mi 6.4
Billings Sr High School Billings 0.6 mi 4.1
Broadwater School Billings 1.0 mi 5.4
Lewis & Clark Middle School Billings 0.9 mi 4.6
McKinley School Billings 0.9 mi 8.2
Washington School Billings 1.3 mi 4.7
BILLINGS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Billings 1.2 mi 6.5
Miles Avenue School Billings 1.5 mi 4.6
Orchard School Billings 1.8 mi 4.0
Rose Park School Billings 1.5 mi 3.4
Newman School Billings 2.2 mi 4.6
Riverside Middle School Billings 2.1 mi 3.6
Eagle Cliffs Elementary Billings 2.3 mi 7.5
Alkali Creek School Billings 2.0 mi 6.2
ST FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Billings 1.7 mi 5.9
NEW DAY SCHOOL Billings 2.3 mi 6.6
Burlington School Billings 1.9 mi 5.7
NEW DAY Billings 2.4 mi 7.6
Ponderosa School Billings 2.6 mi 3.8
Billings West High School Billings 2.1 mi 5.2

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
Margaret Leary School Butte, MT 6.5
Shelby Elementary School Shelby, MT 6.5
Big Timber School Big Timber, MT 6.6
Central Elementary Sidney, MT 6.4
Independent School Billings, MT 6.6
Poly Drive School Billings, MT 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland School

What grades does Highland School serve?

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

How many students attend Highland School?

Highland School has an enrollment of approximately 271 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland School?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland School is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland School rank in MT?

Highland School ranks #277 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Highland School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Highland School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland School has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Highland School a charter school?

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

Is Highland School a Title I school?

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

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

31.4% of students at Highland 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
53 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
59 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
271
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Yellowstone County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.5%

District

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

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