Average
#217 of 603 schools in MT
Top 36% in state
Pioneer School
Elementary School · Pioneer Elem
1937 Dover Road, Billings, MT 59105
Enrollment
84
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
84
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Billings
#10 of 42
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#125 of 319
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Pioneer School
Pioneer School in Billings, Montana is a regular public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 84 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child. Located on Dover Road near Yellowstone County, Pioneer School boasts seven full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students’ education.
Pioneer School currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks as the 242nd best school in Montana, placing it in the 60th percentile among state schools. Academically, Pioneer School’s average scores are at 4.6 out of 10, with 46% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency levels in ELA/Reading and 26% achieving proficiency in Math. The school is focusing on student development and offering additional support to help improve academic performance.
Pioneer School is situated in a rural area near the town of Billings, providing a peaceful setting for its young learners.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 84 students, Pioneer School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Pioneer School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Pioneer School — Students at Pioneer School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
3.6%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.4/10.
How Pioneer School Compares
See how Pioneer School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 24.5% (2019) to 24.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 44.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
Location
1937 Dover Road, Billings, MT 59105
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pioneer School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. McKinley School (rated 8.5/10, 6.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eagle Cliffs Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 5.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Beartooth School (rated 7.3/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Billings, see our Billings schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Beartooth School Billings | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Independent School Billings | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Medicine Crow Middle School Billings | 2.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Bitterroot School Billings | 3.0 mi | 3.6 |
| Lockwood Intermediate Lockwood | 4.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Lockwood Primary Lockwood | 4.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Lockwood Middle School Lockwood | 4.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Lockwood High School Lockwood | 4.2 mi | 3.6 |
| Bench School Billings | 4.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Sandstone School Billings | 4.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Castle Rock Middle School Billings | 4.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Alkali Creek School Billings | 5.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Skyview High School Billings | 5.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Eagle Cliffs Elementary Billings | 5.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Shepherd Elementary Shepherd | 6.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Shepherd Middle School Shepherd | 6.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Shepherd High School Shepherd | 6.8 mi | 5.1 |
| McKinley School Billings | 6.9 mi | 8.5 |
| BILLINGS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Billings | 7.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Billings Sr High School Billings | 7.3 mi | 5.0 |
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 Pioneer 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 |
|---|---|
| Potomac School Bonner, MT | 6.9 |
| Anna Jeffries Elementary Cut Bank, MT | 7.0 |
| Bissell School Whitefish, MT | 7.0 |
| Highwood School Highwood, MT | 7.0 |
| Ashland School Ashland, MT | 6.8 |
| Frazer Elementary Frazer, MT | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pioneer School
What grades does Pioneer School serve?
Pioneer School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Pioneer School?
Pioneer School has an enrollment of approximately 84 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pioneer School?
The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer School is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pioneer School rank in MT?
Pioneer School is ranked #217 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Pioneer School's MySchoolScout rating?
Pioneer 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 Pioneer School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pioneer School has 26.3% math proficiency and 46.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pioneer School a charter school?
No, Pioneer School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pioneer School a Title I school?
No, Pioneer School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pioneer School?
3.6% of students at Pioneer 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Billings). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 84
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 3.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Yellowstone County
- Phone
- (406) 373-5357
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pioneer Elem- District Enrollment
- 84
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,028
- 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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