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Average

#340 of 603 schools in MT

Sandstone School

Elementary School · Billings Elem

415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101

Enrollment

390

Student-Teacher

18.6:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#340 of 603

In Billings

#18 of 42

public schools

In district

#11 of 28

Billings Elem

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Sandstone School

6.0/10

Elementary School in Billings · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Castle Rock Middle School

5.2/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Alkali Creek School

6.2/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Sandstone School

Sandstone School is a public elementary school in Billings, MT, part of Billings Elem. Sandstone School serves approximately 390 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 18.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Sandstone School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #340 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Sandstone School show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Sandstone 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 metrics
Student Progress6.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.27 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency41% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,015
Chronic Absenteeism35.1%

Sandstone School — Students at Sandstone School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
86%
2012
Math
64%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
38%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
48%
ELA
51%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
49%
ELA
51%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
44%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
44%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
41%
ELA
40%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Sandstone School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
44th percentile in MT
Academic
6.9/10
Average
Growth
6.9/10
Average
Environment
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sandstone School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. McKinley School (rated 8.2/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lockwood Intermediate (rated 8.1/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Lockwood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eagle Cliffs Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Billings, see our Billings schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Castle Rock Middle School Billings 0.4 mi 5.2
Alkali Creek School Billings 1.0 mi 6.2
Skyview High School Billings 1.0 mi 4.1
Eagle Cliffs Elementary Billings 1.1 mi 7.5
Bench School Billings 1.3 mi 4.3
Bitterroot School Billings 1.6 mi 5.1
Medicine Crow Middle School Billings 1.7 mi 6.0
Independent School Billings 2.4 mi 6.6
McKinley School Billings 2.8 mi 8.2
Beartooth School Billings 2.2 mi 5.2
Billings Sr High School Billings 3.1 mi 4.1
BILLINGS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Billings 3.4 mi 6.5
Highland School Billings 3.0 mi 6.5
Broadwater School Billings 3.5 mi 5.4
SUNRISE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Billings 3.4 mi 6.4
Orchard School Billings 4.0 mi 4.0
Riverside Middle School Billings 4.2 mi 3.6
Lockwood Intermediate Lockwood 3.5 mi 8.1
Lockwood Primary Lockwood 3.5 mi 6.2
Lockwood Middle School Lockwood 3.5 mi 5.8

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
Fred W Graff School Laurel, MT 6.0
Hardin Primary Hardin, MT 5.9
Kessler Elementary School Helena, MT 6.1
Alkali Creek School Billings, MT 6.2
Bigfork Elementary Bigfork, MT 5.8
Cayuse Prairie School Kalispell, MT 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sandstone School

What grades does Sandstone School serve?

Sandstone School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Sandstone School?

Sandstone School has an enrollment of approximately 390 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sandstone School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sandstone School is 18.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sandstone School rank in MT?

Sandstone School ranks #340 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Sandstone School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sandstone School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 Sandstone School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sandstone School has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Sandstone School a charter school?

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

Is Sandstone School a Title I school?

No, Sandstone School is not currently a Title I school.

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

36.9% of students at Sandstone 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

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
390
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Yellowstone County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.1%

District

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

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