Needs Improvement
#572 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
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Montana schools
#572 of 603
In Billings
#38 of 42
public schools
In district
#26 of 28
Billings Elem
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Ponderosa School
Elementary School in Billings · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Riverside Middle School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Orchard School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ponderosa School
Ponderosa School is a public elementary school in Billings, MT, part of Billings Elem. Ponderosa School serves approximately 297 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Ponderosa School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #572 of 603 schools in MT.
Structured state assessment records for Ponderosa School show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.8
- MT avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
40% of students at Ponderosa 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ponderosa School — Students at Ponderosa School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
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 26 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: 3.8/10.
How Ponderosa School Compares
See how Ponderosa School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.2/10, 2.2 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, Highland School (rated 6.5/10, 2.6 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 | 3.6 |
| Orchard School Billings | 0.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Newman School Billings | 0.8 mi | 4.6 |
| BILLINGS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Billings | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Broadwater School Billings | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Washington School Billings | 1.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Billings Sr High School Billings | 2.1 mi | 4.1 |
| McKinley School Billings | 2.2 mi | 8.2 |
| SUNRISE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Billings | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| NEW DAY SCHOOL Billings | 1.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Highland School Billings | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
| NEW DAY Billings | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Lewis & Clark Middle School Billings | 2.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Miles Avenue School Billings | 2.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Blue Creek School Billings | 3.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Billings West High School Billings | 2.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Central Heights School Billings | 2.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Rose Park School Billings | 3.2 mi | 3.4 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Billings | 2.9 mi | — |
| Burlington School Billings | 3.1 mi | 5.7 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Mountain View School Great Falls, MT | 3.9 |
| Longfellow School Great Falls, MT | 4.0 |
| Orchard School Billings, MT | 4.0 |
| Rocky Boy School Box Elder, MT | 4.0 |
| Rose Park School Billings, MT | 3.4 |
| Bench School Billings, MT | 4.3 |
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 ranks #572 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Ponderosa School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponderosa School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Ponderosa School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ponderosa School has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 40.4%
- Phone
- (406) 281-6218
Resources & Links
District
Billings Elem- District Enrollment
- 11,089
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,015
- District Rank
- #26 of 28
Other Schools in This District
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