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
Enrollment
32
Student-Teacher
5.3:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Yellowstone Academy Elem — Students at Yellowstone Academy Elem score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.2%
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: 3.7/10.
How Yellowstone Academy Elem Compares
See how Yellowstone Academy Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 10% (2022).
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (406) 656-2198
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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