Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Billings’s public schools score below 58% of Montana districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Billings, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Montana, not nationally.
From Montana state tests taken in spring 2022, when 88% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Billings’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 157 Montana towns with household incomes within a quarter of Billings’s, its schools beat 29%, lower than their 42% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 40% of tested students were proficient in reading and 33% in math, against 46% and 35% statewide; 88% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across Montana. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Billings High spends $12,650 per student and Billings Elementary $12,131, against $13,570 across Montana (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Francis Catholic School (private), Billings Christian School (private), Billings Central Catholic High School (private), Trinity Lutheran School (private), Grace Montessori Academy (private), Shiloh Christian Academy (private), Sunrise Montessori School (private), Mt. Olive Lutheran School (private), New Day (private), New Day School (private), Trailhead Christian School (private) and Log Cabin School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Billings’s grade
C+: better than 42% of Montana school districts, #29 of 41 Montana towns. Both inputs trail the Montana average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Billings, with each school’s own grade.
Billings runs its own schools through grade 8 (Billings Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Billings High School District. Parts of Billings (10% and 3% of its land) are served by Elysian Elementary and Blue Creek Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Billings
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Billings vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Montana towns that share Billings’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Billings | C+ | Billings Elementary PK–8 · Billings High 9–12 |
Every school in Billings
48 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Montana’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Billings’s schools
Are Billings’s schools good?
On Montana’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Billings children attend score below 58% of Montana’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #29 of 41 Montana towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 29%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Billings in?
Two districts: Billings Elementary School District runs grades PK–8, and Billings High School District runs grades 9–12.
Where do Billings kids go to high school?
One of 6 high schools, depending on your address: Billings West High School, Billings Sr High School, Skyview High School, Billings Opportunity School, Billings Early College School and Billings Multilingual Academy.
What is Billings’s graduation rate?
84% of the class of 2023 in Billings High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across Montana.
How much does Billings spend per student?
$12,650 in Billings High School District and $12,131 in Billings Elementary School District (FY2024), against $13,570 across Montana. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Billings?
Yes: St. Francis Catholic School (Catholic, grades K–8, 603 students), Billings Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 481 students), Billings Central Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 3–12, 344 students), Trinity Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 322 students), Grace Montessori Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 180 students), Shiloh Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–K, 128 students), Sunrise Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 92 students), Mt. Olive Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–7, 72 students), New Day (nonsectarian, grades 5–12, 57 students), New Day School (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 42 students), Trailhead Christian School (religious, grades K–8, 16 students) and Log Cabin School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 12 students).
Parents talk
What Billings families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Billings → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Montana. Stars are from neighbors.