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Average

#293 of 603 schools in MT

Top 48% in state

Laurel Middle School

Middle School · Laurel Elem

410 Colorado Avenue, Laurel, MT 59044

Enrollment

551

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

6.4

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Laurel

#3 of 5

public schools

Montana middle schools

#57 of 143

In district

#2 of 4

Laurel Elem

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Laurel Middle School

Laurel Middle School, located in Laurel, Montana on the edge of an urban area, serves students from fifth through eighth grade. With a student population of 551 and a teacher-to-student ratio of 15.3:1, the school ensures that each student receives individual attention. The academic performance at Laurel Middle School is currently ranked in the 37th percentile among Montana schools, with room for improvement in both ELA/Reading (33% proficiency) and Math (24% proficiency).

Despite these challenges, the dedicated staff of 36 full-time equivalent teachers are committed to fostering a supportive learning environment that focuses on student development. Laurel Middle School is situated in a town that offers a blend of rural charm with easy access to urban amenities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.7Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24%
Reading/ELA Proficiency36%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected-10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
Resources & Environment5.4Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,716

Laurel Middle School — Students at Laurel Middle School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 24.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.7%
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
28%
ELA
28%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
34%
2022
Math
24%
ELA
36%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Laurel Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
52th percentile in MT
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

410 Colorado Avenue, Laurel, MT 59044

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Laurel Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ben Steele Middle School (rated 5.7/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Billings), with a comparable rating. Another option is Elder Grove 7-8 (rated 4.6/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Billings), a more accessible option. Additionally, Canyon Creek 6-8 (rated 4.1/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Billings), a more accessible option. For more schools in Laurel, see our Laurel schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Fred W Graff School Laurel 0.2 mi 7.5
Laurel High School Laurel 0.3 mi 6.8
West School Laurel 1.0 mi 5.7
South School Laurel 1.3 mi 5.9
Yellowstone Academy Elem Billings 5.2 mi 4.5
Yellowstone Academy 7-8 Billings 5.2 mi
YELLOWSTONE ACADEMY Billings 5.2 mi 8.5
Elder Grove School Billings 6.0 mi 4.8
Elder Grove 7-8 Billings 6.0 mi 4.6
Canyon Creek School Billings 6.5 mi 5.9
Canyon Creek 6-8 Billings 6.5 mi 4.1
Ben Steele Middle School Billings 8.8 mi 5.7
Park City School Park City 8.1 mi 6.2
Park City 7-8 Park City 8.1 mi 4.1
Park City High School Park City 8.1 mi 5.1
GRACE MONTESSORI ACADEMY Billings 9.5 mi 7.5
SHILOH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Billings 9.1 mi
Big Sky Elementary Billings 9.8 mi 6.8
Arrowhead School Billings 10.9 mi 6.9
TRAILHEAD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Billings 10.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59044 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,011

Median Home Value

$317,200

Median Rent

$983/mo

Population

12,488

College Educated

26.7%

Homeownership

70.6%

Avg Commute

20.8 min

Poverty Rate

7.3%

Median Age

39.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Laurel Middle School has a median household income of $86,011. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $317,200, with a median rent of $983/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Ronan Middle School Ronan, MT 6.4
Washington Middle School 6-8 Miles City, MT 6.4
Chief Joseph Middle School Bozeman, MT 6.6
Hardin Middle School Hardin, MT 6.0
Lewis & Clark Middle School Billings, MT 5.9
West Valley Middle School Kalispell, MT 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Laurel Middle School

What grades does Laurel Middle School serve?

Laurel Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Laurel Middle School?

Laurel Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 551 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Laurel Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Laurel Middle School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Laurel Middle School rank in MT?

Laurel Middle School is ranked #293 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Laurel Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Laurel Middle School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Laurel Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Laurel Middle School has 24.3% math proficiency and 32.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Laurel Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Laurel Middle School a Title I school?

No, Laurel Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

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

43.2% of students at Laurel Middle 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 (4,148/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Laurel). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
551
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Yellowstone County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Laurel Elem
District Enrollment
1,204
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,438
District Rank
#2 of 4

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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