Average
#208 of 603 schools in MT
Top 34% in state
Orchard School
Elementary School · Billings Elem
415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101
Enrollment
290
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
290
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Billings
#9 of 42
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#119 of 319
In district
#6 of 28
Billings Elem
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Orchard School
Orchard School is a public elementary school located in Billings, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 290 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. Orchard School is situated in a mid-size city setting within Yellowstone County.
While Orchard School's MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 places it around the 40th percentile among Montana schools, there are areas for growth and improvement. The school’s academic score is currently at 1.9 out of 10, with only 17% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 15% proficiency in Math across all grades. Despite these challenges, Orchard School focuses on student development and offers a supportive learning environment.
Orchard School's setting in Billings provides students with access to various city resources and activities, enhancing their educational experience beyond the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Orchard School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Orchard School — Students at Orchard School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.9%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Orchard School Compares
See how Orchard School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 22% (2022).
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 8.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eagle Cliffs Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Highland School (rated 7.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 5.7 |
| BILLINGS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Billings | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Ponderosa School Billings | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Broadwater School Billings | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| McKinley School Billings | 1.3 mi | 8.5 |
| Billings Sr High School Billings | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Newman School Billings | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| SUNRISE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Billings | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Washington School Billings | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Highland School Billings | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Lewis & Clark Middle School Billings | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| NEW DAY SCHOOL Billings | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Miles Avenue School Billings | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| NEW DAY Billings | 2.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Alkali Creek School Billings | 3.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Rose Park School Billings | 2.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Eagle Cliffs Elementary Billings | 3.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Billings West High School Billings | 2.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Burlington School Billings | 2.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Central Heights School Billings | 2.8 mi | 5.6 |
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 Orchard 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 |
|---|---|
| Bonner School Bonner, MT | 6.9 |
| Hardin Intermediate Hardin, MT | 6.9 |
| Hardin Primary Hardin, MT | 6.9 |
| Lockwood Intermediate Lockwood, MT | 6.9 |
| Morningside School Great Falls, MT | 6.9 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Missoula, MT | 6.9 |
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 is ranked #208 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Orchard School's MySchoolScout rating?
Orchard School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Orchard School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Orchard School has 15.3% math proficiency and 17.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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 – 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
- Phone
- (406) 281-6216
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Billings Elem- District Enrollment
- 11,089
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,015
- District Rank
- #6 of 28
Other Schools in This District
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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