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Very Good

#143 of 603 schools in MT

Top 24% in state

Highland School

Elementary School · Billings Elem

415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101

Enrollment

271

Student-Teacher

15.9:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Billings

#5 of 42

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#82 of 319

In district

#3 of 28

Billings Elem

Academic growth

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Highland School

Highland School is a regular public elementary school in Billings, Montana, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 271 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1, Highland provides a supportive learning environment with 17 full-time equivalent teachers. Located on North 30th Street, the school is situated in a mid-size city setting that offers both urban conveniences and opportunities for community involvement.

Highland School has an overall MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10, ranking it as the 80th percentile among Montana's public schools. In terms of academic performance, 49% of students are proficient or above in math, while 44% meet proficiency standards in ELA/reading. Although these scores suggest there is room for improvement, Highland School continues to focus on student development and educational growth.

Highland School benefits from its location within the vibrant community of Billings, which provides a rich backdrop for learning experiences beyond the classroom walls.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,537

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 48.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
42%
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: 8.3/10.

How Highland School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
77th percentile in MT
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

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 8.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eagle Cliffs Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Orchard School (rated 6.9/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable 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 5.0
Broadwater School Billings 1.0 mi 6.5
Lewis & Clark Middle School Billings 0.9 mi 5.9
McKinley School Billings 0.9 mi 8.5
Washington School Billings 1.3 mi 6.0
BILLINGS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Billings 1.2 mi 6.5
Miles Avenue School Billings 1.5 mi 5.7
Orchard School Billings 1.8 mi 6.9
Rose Park School Billings 1.5 mi 3.9
Newman School Billings 2.2 mi 4.5
Riverside Middle School Billings 2.1 mi 5.7
Eagle Cliffs Elementary Billings 2.3 mi 7.8
Alkali Creek School Billings 2.0 mi 5.2
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 5.4
NEW DAY Billings 2.4 mi 7.6
Ponderosa School Billings 2.6 mi 4.7
Billings West High School Billings 2.1 mi 5.0

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 Highland 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
Beartooth School Billings, MT 7.3
Hellgate El Primary Grades Missoula, MT 7.3
Lincoln School Glendive, MT 7.3
Southside School Wolf Point, MT 7.3
Boulder Elementary School Boulder, MT 7.2
Monforton Primary Bozeman, MT 7.2

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 is ranked #143 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Highland School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Highland School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland School has 48.7% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
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
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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Billings Elem
District Enrollment
11,089
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,015
District Rank
#3 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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