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#390 of 603 schools in MT

Riverside Middle School

Middle School · Billings Elem

415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101

Enrollment

460

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

5.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Billings

#21 of 42

public schools

Montana middle schools

#84 of 143

In district

#15 of 28

Billings Elem

School environment

7.1 / 10

Strong

About Riverside Middle School

Riverside Middle School in Billings, Montana is a regular public middle school serving students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 460 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each student succeed. The dedicated teaching staff includes 37 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their pupils.

Riverside Middle School’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.5 out of 10 and it ranks at number 430 out of 605 schools in Montana, placing it in the 29th percentile for academic performance across the state. The school's focus is on student development rather than solely on test scores; while only 29% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and just 16% are proficient or above in Math, these metrics suggest there is room for improvement in educational outcomes. Riverside Middle School sits in the heart of a mid-size city, offering students easy access to local resources and community activities.

The school's setting provides numerous opportunities for extracurricular engagement beyond academics, enriching the overall learning experience.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Riverside Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.1Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13%
Reading/ELA Proficiency26%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-13.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,537

Riverside Middle School — Students at Riverside Middle School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 16.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
19%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
33%
2022
Math
13%
ELA
26%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How Riverside Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
36th percentile in MT
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Riverside Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lewis & Clark Middle School (rated 5.9/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Castle Rock Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 4.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Billings, see our Billings schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Orchard School Billings 0.3 mi 6.9
Ponderosa School Billings 0.8 mi 4.7
BILLINGS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Billings 0.9 mi 6.5
Broadwater School Billings 1.1 mi 6.5
McKinley School Billings 1.5 mi 8.5
Billings Sr High School Billings 1.5 mi 5.0
Newman School Billings 1.2 mi 4.5
SUNRISE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Billings 1.8 mi 6.4
Washington School Billings 1.6 mi 6.0
Highland School Billings 2.1 mi 7.3
Lewis & Clark Middle School Billings 2.2 mi 5.9
NEW DAY SCHOOL Billings 2.2 mi 6.6
Alkali Creek School Billings 3.2 mi 5.2
Miles Avenue School Billings 2.3 mi 5.7
NEW DAY Billings 2.3 mi 7.6
Eagle Cliffs Elementary Billings 3.9 mi 7.8
Rose Park School Billings 3.1 mi 3.9
Castle Rock Middle School Billings 4.1 mi 5.8
Billings West High School Billings 2.9 mi 5.0
Sandstone School Billings 4.2 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 Riverside Middle 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
Hamilton Middle School Hamilton, MT 5.7
Lockwood Middle School Lockwood, MT 5.7
Columbia Falls Jr HS Columbia Falls, MT 5.4
Hardin Middle School Hardin, MT 6.0
Havre Middle School Havre, MT 5.4
Sidney Middle School Sidney, MT 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Riverside Middle School

What grades does Riverside Middle School serve?

Riverside Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Riverside Middle School?

Riverside Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 460 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Riverside Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Riverside Middle School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Riverside Middle School rank in MT?

Riverside Middle School is ranked #390 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Riverside Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Riverside Middle School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Riverside Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Riverside Middle School has 16.3% math proficiency and 28.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Riverside Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Riverside Middle School a Title I school?

No, Riverside Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

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

68.7% of students at Riverside Middle 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

City Safety
High (3,860/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Billings). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
460
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Yellowstone County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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.

Read our full methodology

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