The top reported proficiency rate is 23% in Science. The lowest is 0% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Washington School
Washington School is an elementary school in Billings, Montana, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Billings Elem district. The school is located in a city that functions as the primary trade and distribution center for a vast region covering much of eastern Montana, northern Wyoming, and western portions of the Dakotas. Billings has experienced sustained rapid growth since its founding and continues to be the fastest-growing city in Montana, with a strong economy tied to healthcare, finance, retail, and energy development. The city serves as the county seat of Yellowstone County and offers cultural anchors such as ZooMontana, the Yellowstone Art Museum, and the Moss Mansion, with the Yellowstone River and the sandstone formations known as the Rims defining the local landscape.
Washington School serves a student body that is diverse in its racial and ethnic composition. About half of the students are white, with a substantial share identifying as American Indian or Alaska Native, and smaller shares identifying as Hispanic, two or more races, Black, and Asian. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a population with significant economic need. The school is part of the Billings Elem district, and no recent district-level changes of lasting impact were found in publicly reported information.
The school's academic performance data is limited. For the most recent testing year, math and English language arts results for grades three through eight were reported as showing no students scoring at the proficient level or above. A parent may want to look into this further with the school, as the data as reported raises questions about how student progress is measured and what supports are in place. In science, a share of students scored at the proficient level or above. When compared to other districts in Yellowstone County, the school's overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades placed in the bottom quartile. Because Washington School serves only pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, there is no graduation rate to report.
The school's enrollment is moderate for an elementary school. The student body is spread across kindergarten through fifth grade, with the largest numbers in first and second grade. The school also serves pre-kindergarten students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic needs of the community.
Housing in the area around the school shows home values that are above the national median, with rents that are also above the national median. The local housing market has seen a modest decline in active listings and a slight increase in pending listings, with homes spending a bit more time on the market than a year ago. The median listing price in the county is above the national median, and the price-to-income ratio suggests that homeownership requires a significant share of household income. Rents are also above the national median, and the estimated monthly mortgage payment is higher than the typical rent, making renting the more affordable option in the current market.
For a family considering Washington School, the key takeaway is that this is an elementary school serving a diverse student body with high economic need, located in a growing regional hub city. The academic proficiency data, particularly in math and English language arts, is a soft spot that a parent may want to look into further with the school to understand the instructional supports and how student progress is tracked. The school's science results show a share of students meeting proficiency. The school's overall proficiency index, when compared to other districts in Yellowstone County, sits in the bottom quartile. The school does not serve grades beyond fifth, so there is no graduation rate to consider. For a family, the decision will likely hinge on how the school's academic profile aligns with their expectations and what additional supports the school provides for its students.
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