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#428 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

5.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Billings

#26 of 42

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#235 of 319

In district

#20 of 28

Billings Elem

About Sandstone School

Sandstone School is a regular public elementary school located in Billings, Montana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 390 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.6:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Sandstone School is rated at 5.5 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 52nd percentile among Montana schools.

In terms of test scores, 42% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 47% are proficient or above in Math, indicating areas with room for academic growth. Despite its current ranking, Sandstone School continues to focus on student development and offers a supportive learning environment tailored to young learners. The school is situated in the heart of Billings, a mid-size city that provides a diverse range of community resources and activities for students and families alike.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40%
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,537

Sandstone School — Students at Sandstone School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

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 46.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
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
52%
ELA
44%
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: 5.6/10.

How Sandstone School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
29th percentile in MT
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
5.6/10
Above average
Environment
2.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

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 8.5/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eagle Cliffs Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Beartooth School (rated 7.3/10, 2.2 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 5.8
Alkali Creek School Billings 1.0 mi 5.2
Skyview High School Billings 1.0 mi 4.7
Eagle Cliffs Elementary Billings 1.1 mi 7.8
Bench School Billings 1.3 mi 4.5
Bitterroot School Billings 1.6 mi 3.6
Medicine Crow Middle School Billings 1.7 mi 4.3
Independent School Billings 2.4 mi 5.8
McKinley School Billings 2.8 mi 8.5
Beartooth School Billings 2.2 mi 7.3
Billings Sr High School Billings 3.1 mi 5.0
BILLINGS CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Billings 3.4 mi 6.5
Highland School Billings 3.0 mi 7.3
Broadwater School Billings 3.5 mi 6.5
SUNRISE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Billings 3.4 mi 6.4
Orchard School Billings 4.0 mi 6.9
Riverside Middle School Billings 4.2 mi 5.7
Lockwood Intermediate Lockwood 3.5 mi 6.9
Lockwood Primary Lockwood 3.5 mi 6.0
Lockwood Middle School Lockwood 3.5 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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sandstone 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
Burlington School Billings, MT 5.4
Hawthorne School Bozeman, MT 5.4
Meadow Lark School Great Falls, MT 5.4
Ruder Elementary Columbia Falls, MT 5.4
Bigfork Elementary Bigfork, MT 5.5
Valley View School Great Falls, MT 5.5

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 is ranked #428 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Sandstone School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sandstone School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Sandstone School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sandstone School has 46.7% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

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
390
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.9%
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
#20 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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