The top reported proficiency rate is 28% in Math. The lowest is 19% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Newman School
Newman School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Billings, Montana, as part of the Billings Elem district. It is a neighborhood elementary school with a modest enrollment, drawing from a section of the city. The school is not a charter school, and its magnet and Title I status were not reported.
The student body is diverse. White students make up the largest share, followed by a substantial Hispanic population and a notable American Indian or Alaska Native population. A smaller share of students identify as two or more races, and a very small share are Black. The school serves a population where a large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic need.
State testing results for the 2023-24 school year show that proficiency rates in math, English language arts, and science were all below the midpoint when compared to other schools in Yellowstone County. The school's overall proficiency index placed it in the bottom quartile among districts in the county. In math, roughly a quarter of students scored at the proficient level or above. In English language arts, the share was lower, and in science, it was similar to the math rate. A parent considering Newman School may want to discuss with the school how it supports students who are not yet meeting grade-level benchmarks and what academic interventions are in place.
The school serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, so there is no graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism, special education enrollment, and English learner enrollment were not available. A parent may want to ask the school directly about its approach to supporting students with disabilities and multilingual learners.
Newman School is part of the Billings Elem district. The district brief did not surface any recent major changes or initiatives that would be relevant to a parent.
Billings itself is the largest city in Montana and functions as a regional trade, medical, and retail hub for a wide area. It has experienced sustained growth since its founding and continues to grow, with a strong economy tied to energy development and its role as a service center. The city offers cultural amenities such as ZooMontana and the Yellowstone Art Museum, and the natural landscape is defined by the sandstone formations known as the Rims and the Yellowstone River. Housing in the area is priced above the national median, and the rental market is active. The median listing price for homes in the county has seen a slight year-over-year decline, while rents have increased. The housing market shows a mix of supply and demand dynamics, with a modest number of active listings and a slight increase in pending sales.
For a family considering Newman School, the key takeaway is that it is an elementary school serving a high-needs population in a growing regional city. The academic proficiency data shows that a majority of students are not meeting state benchmarks in math, reading, and science, and the school's overall performance is on the lower end relative to other schools in Yellowstone County. A parent would want to have a direct conversation with the school about its curriculum, intervention strategies, and how it works to move students toward grade-level proficiency. The school's setting in Billings means access to the amenities of a regional hub, including cultural institutions and a growing economy, but also the housing costs and market dynamics of a city that has seen sustained growth.
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