The top reported proficiency rate is 35% in English language arts. The lowest is 24% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Laurel Middle School
Laurel Middle School serves grades five through eight in the town of Laurel, Montana, a community shaped by the BNSF rail yard and the Cenex Harvest States oil refinery. The town has a compact downtown, and many residents commute to Billings for work. The school’s mascot, the Locomotives, reflects that railroad identity. The city has seen modest residential growth on its west side, but its population has remained fairly stable.
Academically, the school’s state testing results place it in the bottom quarter among Yellowstone County districts for overall proficiency. On the Smarter Balanced assessments, about one in four students scored proficient in math, roughly one in three in English language arts, and more than a quarter in science on the Montana Science Assessment. These are lower than the county midpoint. A parent may want to discuss how the school supports students who are below proficient and what academic interventions are in place. Because this is a middle school, there is no graduation rate to consider; state testing covers only the grades served.
The student body is predominantly white, with a small Hispanic share and even smaller representation of other racial and ethnic groups. Just under half of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a share that tracks with many schools in the region. The school enrolls roughly 550 students across four grades, making it a medium-sized middle school for the area.
Data on programs such as advanced coursework, electives, or career-oriented offerings was not available in the information reviewed. Similarly, details on discipline, staffing ratios, and chronic absenteeism were not provided. Families may wish to visit the school or contact the district directly to learn more about course access and student support services. The Laurel Elementary district oversees the school, and the town’s civic anchors include a public library, several parks, and an annual Fourth of July fireworks display hosted by the volunteer fire department.
For a family considering Laurel Middle School, the picture is of a community-rooted school in an industrial and commuter town, with academic proficiency that lags behind other districts in the county. The school’s demographic makeup is homogenous, and its size is typical for a Montana district of this scale. The missing pieces around programs and school environment are worth exploring to get a fuller sense of day-to-day life for students.
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