Below Average
#518 of 603 schools in MT
Ponderosa School
Elementary School · Billings Elem
415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Billings
#32 of 42
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#282 of 319
In district
#22 of 28
Billings Elem
About Ponderosa School
Ponderosa School is an elementary school in Billings, Montana, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a total enrollment of 297 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each child succeed. Located at 415 North 30th Street, Ponderosa School is situated in a mid-size city, offering easy access to local resources and community activities.
While Ponderosa School's MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 places it in the lower tier among Montana schools (ranked 18th percentile), with room for academic growth, the school focuses on student development and support. In recent state assessments, 22% of students were proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 19% achieved proficiency in Math. Ponderosa School is part of a vibrant community in Billings, providing a nurturing environment where young learners can grow and thrive.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Ponderosa School — Students at Ponderosa School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.7%
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: 5.2/10.
How Ponderosa School Compares
See how Ponderosa School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ponderosa School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. McKinley School (rated 8.5/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Highland School (rated 7.3/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Orchard School (rated 6.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Billings, see our Billings schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside Middle School Billings | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Orchard School Billings | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Newman School Billings | 0.8 mi | 4.5 |
| BILLINGS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Billings | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Broadwater School Billings | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Washington School Billings | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Billings Sr High School Billings | 2.1 mi | 5.0 |
| McKinley School Billings | 2.2 mi | 8.5 |
| SUNRISE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Billings | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| NEW DAY SCHOOL Billings | 1.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Highland School Billings | 2.6 mi | 7.3 |
| NEW DAY Billings | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Lewis & Clark Middle School Billings | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Miles Avenue School Billings | 2.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Blue Creek School Billings | 3.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Billings West High School Billings | 2.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Central Heights School Billings | 2.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Rose Park School Billings | 3.2 mi | 3.9 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Billings | 2.9 mi | — |
| Burlington School Billings | 3.1 mi | 5.4 |
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 Ponderosa 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 |
|---|---|
| K William Harvey Elem Ronan, MT | 4.7 |
| Box Elder School Box Elder, MT | 4.8 |
| Browning Elementary Browning, MT | 4.8 |
| Garfield School Miles City, MT | 4.8 |
| Belt School Belt, MT | 4.9 |
| Bench School Billings, MT | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ponderosa School
What grades does Ponderosa School serve?
Ponderosa School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Ponderosa School?
Ponderosa School has an enrollment of approximately 297 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ponderosa School rank in MT?
Ponderosa School is ranked #518 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Ponderosa School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponderosa School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Ponderosa School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ponderosa School has 18.8% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ponderosa School a charter school?
No, Ponderosa School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ponderosa School a Title I school?
No, Ponderosa School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ponderosa School?
73.7% of students at Ponderosa 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
- 297
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Yellowstone County
- Phone
- (406) 281-6218
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Billings Elem- District Enrollment
- 11,089
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,015
- District Rank
- #22 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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