Average
#381 of 603 schools in MT
Independent School
Elementary School · Independent Elem
2907 Roundup Road, Billings, MT 59105
Enrollment
299
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
299
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Billings
#19 of 42
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#217 of 319
Academic performance
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Independent School
Independent School is a public elementary school located in the mid-size suburb of Billings, Montana. With an enrollment of 299 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's learning needs. The dedicated teaching staff includes 18 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students' academic growth.
Independent School ranks #226 out of 605 schools in Montana and has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9/10, with an academic score of 7.7/10. The school’s proficiency rates for ELA/Reading and Math are each at 49%, indicating there is room for improvement but also showing the solid foundation laid by the educators. Independent School focuses on nurturing young minds in a supportive community setting.
The school's location offers easy access to local amenities, making it convenient for families. Despite its ranking, Independent School continues to foster a warm and engaging learning environment for its students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Independent School — Students at Independent School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.0/10.
How Independent School Compares
See how Independent School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
2907 Roundup Road, Billings, MT 59105
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Independent School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. McKinley School (rated 8.5/10, 5.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eagle Cliffs Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Beartooth School (rated 7.3/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Billings, see our Billings schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine Crow Middle School Billings | 1.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Bitterroot School Billings | 1.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Beartooth School Billings | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Bench School Billings | 2.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Sandstone School Billings | 2.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Castle Rock Middle School Billings | 2.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Pioneer School Billings | 2.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Skyview High School Billings | 2.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Alkali Creek School Billings | 3.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Eagle Cliffs Elementary Billings | 3.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Lockwood Intermediate Lockwood | 4.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Lockwood Primary Lockwood | 4.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Lockwood Middle School Lockwood | 4.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Lockwood High School Lockwood | 4.0 mi | 3.6 |
| McKinley School Billings | 5.1 mi | 8.5 |
| BILLINGS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Billings | 5.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Billings Sr High School Billings | 5.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Highland School Billings | 5.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Broadwater School Billings | 5.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Orchard School Billings | 6.2 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59105 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,572
Median Home Value
$314,900
Median Rent
$1,261/mo
Population
34,363
College Educated
29.8%
Homeownership
76.6%
Avg Commute
19.9 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Median Age
36.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Independent School has a median household income of $74,572. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $314,900, with a median rent of $1,261/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Rossiter School Helena, MT | 5.8 |
| Russell School Kalispell, MT | 5.8 |
| Clancy School Clancy, MT | 5.7 |
| Franklin School Missoula, MT | 5.7 |
| Miles Avenue School Billings, MT | 5.7 |
| O D Speer School Deer Lodge, MT | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Independent School
What grades does Independent School serve?
Independent School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Independent School?
Independent School has an enrollment of approximately 299 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Independent School?
The student-teacher ratio at Independent School is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Independent School rank in MT?
Independent School is ranked #381 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Independent School's MySchoolScout rating?
Independent School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Independent School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independent School has 48.7% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Independent School a charter school?
No, Independent School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Independent School a Title I school?
No, Independent School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Independent School?
28.1% of students at Independent 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- 299
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 28.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Yellowstone County
- Phone
- (406) 259-8109
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Independent Elem- District Enrollment
- 299
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,953
- 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.
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