The top reported proficiency rate is 39% in Science. The lowest is 0% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Mckinley School
McKinley School is a public elementary school in Billings, Montana, serving children from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Billings Elem district, the city’s main elementary district. The school sits on the north side of Billings, a city that functions as the primary trade and distribution center for a vast region covering much of eastern Montana, northern Wyoming, and parts of the Dakotas. Billings has experienced sustained rapid growth since its founding as a railroad town and continues to be the fastest-growing city in Montana, with a strong economy tied to healthcare, finance, retail, and energy development. The school draws from the surrounding residential neighborhood, which is a mix of older homes and commercial corridors.
The student body is diverse in racial and ethnic background. Roughly half the students are white, while a substantial share are American Indian or Alaska Native. Smaller groups of Hispanic students and students who identify with two or more races each make up about a tenth of enrollment. The school serves a high-poverty population: a large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. This economic context matters for understanding the school’s resources and the challenges some families may face. Information about special education and English learner enrollment was not available in the data we reviewed, so a family with those needs should ask the school directly.
State testing results tell an incomplete story. For the most recent year available, math and reading assessment data for grades three through five were not reported; the state records show zero students tested in both subjects. It is unclear why — the school serves the grade levels that take these tests. Only science results were reported, with a proficiency rate that is modest. Because the core academic subjects lack data, it is difficult to assess overall academic performance at McKinley from state tests alone. When compared with other districts in Yellowstone County, the school’s combined proficiency index across whatever subjects were tested places it in the bottom quartile. A parent should follow up with the school to understand how student progress is measured and what supports are in place.
The school functions as a neighborhood elementary, not a magnet or charter. With a relatively small enrollment for its grade band, class sizes are likely moderate. No information was available on staffing ratios, chronic absenteeism, or disciplinary patterns. Similarly, data on course access — such as whether the school offers art, music, or enrichment programs — was not present in the source material. Families interested in the breadth of programming should check directly with the school or visit.
The broader Billings housing market reflects the city’s steady growth. Home values have been rising, and mortgage rates have climbed in recent months, making the market moderately expensive for the region. Rents have also increased. The neighborhood around McKinley likely offers more affordable options than some newer parts of Billings, but a family shopping for a home should expect a competitive market.
McKinley School serves a high-needs population in a growing regional hub. The most pressing question for a prospective parent is why the core state test results were not reported and what alternative measures the school uses to monitor reading and math achievement. Beyond that, the school appears to be a straightforward neighborhood elementary with the typical strengths and challenges that come with a diverse, economically mixed student body in a central-city location.
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