Below Average
#560 of 603 schools in MT
Will James Middle School
Middle School · Billings Elem
415 North 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101
Enrollment
601
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
4.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
601
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
4.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Montana schools
#560 of 603
In Billings
#37 of 42
public schools
In district
#25 of 28
Billings Elem
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Will James Middle School
Middle School in Billings · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Trinity Lutheran School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Trailhead Christian School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Will James Middle School
Will James Middle School is a public middle school in Billings, MT, part of Billings Elem. Will James Middle School serves approximately 601 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Will James Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #560 of 603 schools in MT.
Structured state assessment records for Will James Middle School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.0 · Below Average
- District avg 5.1
- MT avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
38% of students at Will James Middle 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
Will James Middle School — Students at Will James Middle School score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.8%
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: 3.2/10.
How Will James Middle School Compares
See how Will James Middle 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 Will James Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Meadowlark School (rated 8.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Heights School (rated 8.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Elysian School (rated 8.2/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Billings, see our Billings schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Billings | 0.3 mi | 5.6 |
| TRAILHEAD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Billings | 0.4 mi | — |
| Meadowlark School Billings | 0.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Boulder School Billings | 0.7 mi | 7.7 |
| LOG CABIN SCHOOL Billings | 0.9 mi | — |
| Poly Drive School Billings | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Billings | 1.1 mi | — |
| Burlington School Billings | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Big Sky Elementary Billings | 1.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Arrowhead School Billings | 1.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Billings West High School Billings | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Central Heights School Billings | 1.4 mi | 8.2 |
| ST FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Billings | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Rose Park School Billings | 1.4 mi | 3.4 |
| SHILOH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Billings | 1.8 mi | — |
| Miles Avenue School Billings | 1.8 mi | 4.6 |
| NEW DAY Billings | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| NEW DAY SCHOOL Billings | 2.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Lewis & Clark Middle School Billings | 2.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Elysian School Billings | 3.0 mi | 8.2 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Laurel Middle School Laurel, MT | 4.1 |
| Riverside Middle School Billings, MT | 3.6 |
| Browning Middle School Browning, MT | 4.4 |
| Hardin Middle School Hardin, MT | 4.4 |
| Polson Middle School Polson, MT | 4.4 |
| Lewis & Clark Middle School Billings, MT | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Will James Middle School
What grades does Will James Middle School serve?
Will James Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Will James Middle School?
Will James Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 601 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Will James Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Will James Middle School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Will James Middle School rank in MT?
Will James Middle School ranks #560 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Will James Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Will James Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Will James Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Will James Middle School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Will James Middle School a charter school?
No, Will James Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Will James Middle School a Title I school?
No, Will James Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Will James Middle School?
36.8% of students at Will James 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 601
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Yellowstone County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 38.3%
- Phone
- (406) 281-6100
Resources & Links
District
Billings Elem- District Enrollment
- 11,089
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,015
- District Rank
- #25 of 28
Other Schools in This District
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