The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in Science. The lowest is 36% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Sandstone School
Sandstone School serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade on the north side of Billings, Montana, as part of the Billings Elem district. The school sits in a section of the city that has developed around Nutter Boulevard, a location that places families within a short drive of the region’s primary medical, retail, and cultural amenities. Billings itself functions as the trade and distribution hub for a vast area covering much of eastern Montana, northern Wyoming, and parts of the Dakotas, giving it a scale of services that exceeds any other city in the five-state region.
The student body is large enough for a typical elementary school serving this grade span. White students make up the clear majority, while a substantial and above-average share of students are American Indian or Alaska Native. Hispanic students and those identifying as two or more races each form a noticeable presence. The school is economically diverse, with a measurable proportion of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. State testing data was available for the 2023-24 school year. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above placed the school in a strong position relative to other schools in Yellowstone County. Reading and English language arts proficiency was lower than the math result, and science proficiency fell between the two. Because the school does not serve high school grades, there is no graduation rate to report.
The school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades ranked in the top quartile relative to other districts in Yellowstone County. That comparison set includes the full range of elementary, middle, and high school configurations in the county, so Sandstone’s position reflects a solid academic footing for an elementary school. Parents considering the school should be aware that the English language arts results are notably weaker than math, which is a pattern worth investigating further with the school to understand what supports are in place and how the school is addressing it.
Demographic data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the public data we accessed. That gap is not unusual for a school of this type, but a parent who needs information on special education services or English language development should ask the school directly about those programs.
The Billings housing market in the area around Sandstone shows a typical pattern for a growing regional hub. Home values have increased over the past year, and the median listing price reflects a market that is not inexpensive for Montana. Rents have also risen. The county market is moderately competitive, with homes spending slightly more time on the market than a year ago but still selling in a range that suggests steady demand. The broader Billings area continues to grow, earning its long-standing nickname of the "Magic City" for a growth trajectory that has been sustained since its founding as a railroad town. The city’s economy draws strength from its role as a service center for energy development to the east and north, which contributes to a stable job market.
The school is a conventional public elementary school, not a charter or magnet. We looked for recent district-level changes or strategic initiatives from the Billings Elem district but found little of lasting consequence to report, so families should rely on current communication from the district and school for any upcoming program or facility changes.
Sandstone School offers a neighborhood elementary experience in a city that anchors a wide region. The academic picture is mixed: math is a clear strength relative to local peers, while literacy results are an area the school likely continues to work on. The school’s size, location, and demographic mix are typical of a north Billings elementary, and the housing market in the area reflects the broader Billings trend of steady growth and moderate affordability relative to the national average. A family moving to this part of Billings with a young child will find a school that performs solidly in state comparisons but should ask about reading instruction and intervention strategies to get a full sense of the academic environment.
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