Below Average
#519 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
4.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
601
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
4.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Billings
#33 of 42
public schools
Montana middle schools
#116 of 143
In district
#23 of 28
Billings Elem
About Will James Middle School
Will James Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Billings, Montana, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 601 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1, the school offers a supportive learning environment with 35 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its current state ranking at #403 out of 605 schools in Montana (which places it in the 34th percentile), Will James Middle School continues to focus on student development and academic improvement.
Test scores show that 45% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts, with a slightly lower percentage of 35% achieving proficiency or better in math. The school is situated in a mid-size city, providing students with opportunities beyond the classroom while maintaining a strong community presence. Will James Middle School is an integral part of the Billings area, fostering growth and learning for its diverse student body.
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: 42%).
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 6 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: 4.6/10.
How Will James Middle School Compares
See how Will James Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 28% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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. NEW DAY (rated 7.6/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Elysian School (rated 7.1/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Arrowhead School (rated 6.9/10, 1.3 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 | 5.6 |
| Boulder School Billings | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| LOG CABIN SCHOOL Billings | 0.9 mi | — |
| Poly Drive School Billings | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Billings | 1.1 mi | — |
| Burlington School Billings | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Big Sky Elementary Billings | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Arrowhead School Billings | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Billings West High School Billings | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Central Heights School Billings | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| ST FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Billings | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Rose Park School Billings | 1.4 mi | 3.9 |
| SHILOH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Billings | 1.8 mi | — |
| Miles Avenue School Billings | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| 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 | 5.9 |
| Elysian School Billings | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
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 Will James 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 |
|---|---|
| East Middle School Butte, MT | 4.6 |
| Porter Middle School Missoula, MT | 5.0 |
| Browning Middle School Browning, MT | 5.1 |
| Medicine Crow Middle School Billings, MT | 4.3 |
| Polson Middle School Polson, MT | 4.2 |
| Hellgate El Intermediate Missoula, MT | 5.3 |
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 is ranked #519 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Will James Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Will James Middle School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Will James Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Will James Middle School has 34.7% math proficiency and 44.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- 601
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Yellowstone County
- Phone
- (406) 281-6100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Billings Elem- District Enrollment
- 11,089
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,015
- District Rank
- #23 of 28
Other Schools in This District
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.
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