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Below Average

#541 of 603 schools in MT

Yellowstone Academy Elem

Elementary School · Yellowstone Academy Elem

1750 Ray of Hope Lane, Billings, MT 59106

Enrollment

32

Student-Teacher

5.3:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Billings

#38 of 42

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#290 of 319

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Yellowstone Academy Elem

Yellowstone Academy Elem is a small elementary school located in a rural area near Billings, Montana. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade with an enrollment of just 32 students and a low student-to-teacher ratio of 5.3:1. This ensures that each child receives personalized attention and support from the six full-time equivalent teachers on staff.

Yellowstone Academy Elem’s academic performance is currently in the lower ranks among Montana schools, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.0 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.5 out of 10. Test results show that only 15% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 20% are proficient or above in Math. While these numbers indicate room for improvement, the school is likely focusing on strategies to enhance student development and academic outcomes.

Yellowstone Academy Elem is situated in a rural setting near the town of Billings, offering students a close-knit community environment.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 32 students, Yellowstone Academy Elem is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.3:1, Yellowstone Academy Elem offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Yellowstone Academy Elem may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.89 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-20.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$81,532

Yellowstone Academy Elem — Students at Yellowstone Academy Elem score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 20.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 15.0%
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
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Yellowstone Academy Elem Compares

See how Yellowstone Academy Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
10th percentile in MT
Academic
2.1/10
2.1/10
Growth
3.7/10
Below average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

1750 Ray of Hope Lane, Billings, MT 59106

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Yellowstone Academy Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GRACE MONTESSORI ACADEMY (rated 7.5/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fred W Graff School (rated 7.5/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Laurel), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Arrowhead School (rated 6.9/10, 5.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Billings, see our Billings schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Yellowstone Academy 7-8 Billings 0.0 mi
YELLOWSTONE ACADEMY Billings 0.0 mi 8.5
Elder Grove School Billings 1.0 mi 4.8
Elder Grove 7-8 Billings 1.0 mi 4.6
Ben Steele Middle School Billings 3.7 mi 5.7
Canyon Creek School Billings 3.5 mi 5.9
Canyon Creek 6-8 Billings 3.5 mi 4.1
GRACE MONTESSORI ACADEMY Billings 4.4 mi 7.5
SHILOH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Billings 4.3 mi
Laurel Middle School Laurel 5.2 mi 6.4
Fred W Graff School Laurel 5.4 mi 7.5
Laurel High School Laurel 5.3 mi 6.8
West School Laurel 5.9 mi 5.7
Big Sky Elementary Billings 5.2 mi 6.8
Arrowhead School Billings 5.8 mi 6.9
South School Laurel 6.5 mi 5.9
TRAILHEAD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Billings 5.6 mi
Will James Middle School Billings 6.0 mi 4.7
Boulder School Billings 6.3 mi 6.1
Meadowlark School Billings 6.0 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59106 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$122,374

Median Home Value

$483,100

Median Rent

$1,380/mo

Population

20,232

College Educated

51.7%

Homeownership

79.6%

Avg Commute

20.1 min

Poverty Rate

3.3%

Median Age

40.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Yellowstone Academy Elem has a median household income of $122,374. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $483,100, with a median rent of $1,380/month. The local poverty rate of 3.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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
BLODGETT VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hamilton, MT 4.6
Richey School Richey, MT 4.8
Froid Elementary School Froid, MT 4.1
Nashua School Nashua, MT 3.6
Dixon Elementary Dixon, MT 3.4
TRINITY LUTHERAN CLASSICAL SCHOOL Miles City, MT 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Yellowstone Academy Elem

What grades does Yellowstone Academy Elem serve?

Yellowstone Academy Elem serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Yellowstone Academy Elem?

Yellowstone Academy Elem has an enrollment of approximately 32 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Yellowstone Academy Elem?

The student-teacher ratio at Yellowstone Academy Elem is 5.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Yellowstone Academy Elem rank in MT?

Yellowstone Academy Elem is ranked #541 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Yellowstone Academy Elem's MySchoolScout rating?

Yellowstone Academy Elem has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Yellowstone Academy Elem?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Yellowstone Academy Elem has 20.0% math proficiency and 15.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Yellowstone Academy Elem a charter school?

No, Yellowstone Academy Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Yellowstone Academy Elem a Title I school?

No, Yellowstone Academy Elem is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Yellowstone Academy Elem?

81.2% of students at Yellowstone Academy Elem 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 – 6th
Enrollment
32
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
81.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Yellowstone County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Yellowstone Academy Elem
District Enrollment
50
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$100,517
District Rank
#1 of 1

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.

Read our full methodology

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