Skip to main content

Below Average

#559 of 603 schools in MT

Orchard School

Elementary School · Billings Elem

415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101

Enrollment

290

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#559 of 603

In Billings

#36 of 42

public schools

In district

#24 of 28

Billings Elem

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Orchard School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Orchard School

4.0/10

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

Riverside Middle School

3.6/10

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

Billings Central Catholic High School

6.5/10

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

About Orchard School

Orchard School is a public elementary school in Billings, MT, part of Billings Elem. Orchard School serves approximately 290 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Orchard School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #559 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Orchard School show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

55% of students at Orchard School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency20% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-11.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,015
Chronic Absenteeism54.8%

Orchard School — Students at Orchard School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 24.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 30.9% (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
47%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
50%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
45%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
39%
ELA
61%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
12%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
7.5%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
22%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Orchard School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
8th percentile in MT
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.6/10
Below Average
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
54.8%

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 Orchard School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. McKinley School (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Heights School (rated 8.2/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eagle Cliffs Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Billings, see our Billings schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Riverside Middle School Billings 0.3 mi 3.6
BILLINGS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Billings 0.7 mi 6.5
Ponderosa School Billings 0.9 mi 3.8
Broadwater School Billings 0.8 mi 5.4
McKinley School Billings 1.3 mi 8.2
Billings Sr High School Billings 1.3 mi 4.1
Newman School Billings 1.1 mi 4.6
SUNRISE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Billings 1.4 mi 6.4
Washington School Billings 1.3 mi 4.7
Highland School Billings 1.8 mi 6.5
Lewis & Clark Middle School Billings 1.9 mi 4.6
NEW DAY SCHOOL Billings 2.0 mi 6.6
Miles Avenue School Billings 2.0 mi 4.6
NEW DAY Billings 2.1 mi 7.6
Alkali Creek School Billings 3.0 mi 6.2
Rose Park School Billings 2.8 mi 3.4
Eagle Cliffs Elementary Billings 3.7 mi 7.5
Billings West High School Billings 2.7 mi 5.2
Burlington School Billings 2.8 mi 5.7
Central Heights School Billings 2.8 mi 8.2

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
Longfellow School Great Falls, MT 4.0
Rocky Boy School Box Elder, MT 4.0
Mountain View School Great Falls, MT 3.9
Ponderosa School Billings, MT 3.8
Bench School Billings, MT 4.3
East Side School Livingston, MT 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Orchard School

What grades does Orchard School serve?

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

How many students attend Orchard School?

Orchard School has an enrollment of approximately 290 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Orchard School?

The student-teacher ratio at Orchard School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Orchard School rank in MT?

Orchard School ranks #559 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Orchard School's MySchoolScout rating?

Orchard School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Orchard School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Orchard School has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Orchard School a charter school?

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

Is Orchard School a Title I school?

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

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

77.9% of students at Orchard 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
48 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
290
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Yellowstone County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
54.8%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.