Pioneer School

Q: Is Pioneer School a good school?

Pioneer School ranks 246 th of 332 Montana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Summary:

Pioneer School is an elementary school located in Billings, Montana, serving grades PK-8 with a total enrollment of 72 students. The school is part of the Lockwood K-12 district, which is ranked 230 out of 300 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Pioneer School has a significantly higher percentage of Native American students (15.28%) compared to the surrounding schools, which range from 4.1% to 12.5%, its academic performance is consistently lower than the state average and the surrounding schools. For example, in 2022-2023, only 29.41% of Pioneer School students were proficient or better in mathematics, compared to the state average of 36.59%. The school's statewide ranking has also declined over the years, from 3rd out of 194 elementary schools in 2007-2008 to 246th out of 332 elementary schools in 2022-2023, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Interestingly, the surrounding schools, such as Shepherd Elementary, Eagle Cliffs Elementary, and Alkali Creek School, generally perform better academically and have higher statewide rankings compared to Pioneer School, despite serving similar student populations. Additionally, the spending per student at Pioneer School ($10,465 in 2018-2019) is higher than the surrounding schools, but this does not seem to translate into better academic outcomes, suggesting that factors beyond funding may be contributing to the school's performance.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-8

1937 Dover Road
Billings, MT 59105

(406) 373-5357

District: Pioneer Elementary

SchoolDigger Rank:
246^th of 332 Montana Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,664

Students who attend Pioneer School usually attend:

High:

Skyview High School

Student/teacher ratio: 12.0

Number of students: 72

Racial breakdown:

White:

79.2%

American Indian:

15.3%

Hispanic:

5.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 4.2%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Pioneer School ranks worse than 74.1% of elementary schools in Montana. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 34.37. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (79.2%), American Indian (15.3%), Hispanic (5.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Pioneer School is 12. (See more...)

Compare Pioneer School employs 6 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Pioneer School is $11,664.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Pioneer School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Pioneer Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Pioneer Elementary 230^th of 300 Montana school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Pioneer School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MT State Percentile
2004	59.01	96^th	217	55.8%
2008	94.98	3^rd	194	98.5%
2015	63.76	115^th	287	59.9%
2021	57.18	174^th	356	51.1%
2022	43.28	227^th	329	31.0%
2023	34.37	246^th	332	25.9%

See the entire list of Montana Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Montana Office of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Montana Office of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for Pioneer School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1990	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	80	80
1991	65	0	0	0	2	n/a	n/a	0	67
1992	78	0	0	0	3	n/a	n/a	0	81
1993	69	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	69
1994	70	0	0	1	3	n/a	n/a	0	74
1995	64	0	1	0	1	n/a	n/a	0	66
1996	64	0	1	0	1	n/a	n/a	0	66
1997	62	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	62
1998	53	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	53
1999	58	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	58
2000	71	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	71
2001	60	0	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	61
2002	48	0	1	0	3	n/a	n/a	0	52
2003	48	0	1	0	3	n/a	n/a	0	52
2004	56	0	0	0	4	n/a	n/a	0	60
2005	43	0	3	2	4	n/a	n/a	0	52
2006	53	0	4	4	1	n/a	n/a	0	62
2007	57	0	3	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	64
2008	61	2	2	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	66
2009	55	3	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	60
2010	49	3	1	0	1	n/a	n/a	0	54
2011	47	2	5	3	1	0	0	0	58
2012	49	3	5	1	0	0	0	0	58
2013	52	4	4	2	2	0	0	0	64
2014	50	4	3	2	2	0	0	0	61
2015	53	2	3	2	3	0	2	0	65
2016	50	0	3	2	3	0	2	0	60
2017	49	0	0	2	3	0	2	0	56
2018	40	0	0	2	4	0	3	0	49
2019	48	0	0	5	0	0	3	0	56
2020	60	0	0	5	3	0	3	0	71
2021	57	0	1	2	10	0	0	0	70
2022	61	0	0	4	14	0	0	0	79
2023	57	0	0	4	11	0	0	0	72

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Pioneer School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	80	6.0	13.3	n/a
1991	67	4.5	14.8	0
1992	81	4.2	19.2	n/a
1993	69	5.0	13.8	0
1994	74	4.8	15.4	0
1995	66	5.6	11.8	0
1996	66	5.6	11.8	0
1997	62	4.6	13.5	0
1998	53	5.0	10.6	0
1999	58	5.4	10.7	0
2000	71	5.1	13.9	2.8
2001	61	6.0	10.2	3.3
2002	52	5.7	9.1	9.6
2003	52	5.7	9.1	9.6
2004	60	6.0	10.0	10
2005	52	5.8	9.0	13.5
2006	62	5.7	10.9	8.1
2007	64	6.5	9.8	9.4
2008	66	6.0	11.0	6.1
2009	60	6.0	10.0	11.7
2010	54	5.8	9.1	11.1
2011	58	5.8	9.8	20.7
2012	58	6.3	9.0	20.7
2013	64	6.5	9.8	21.9
2014	61	6.8	8.8	24.6
2015	65	7.0	9.2	23.1
2016	60	7.0	8.5	15
2017	56	6.3	8.7	25
2018	49	5.8	8.3	28.6
2019	56	5.8	9.5	7.1
2020	71	5.8	12.0	4.2
2021	70	6.8	10.1	n/a
2022	79	7.0	11.2	n/a
2023	72	6.0	12.0	n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Pioneer School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	80	6.0	13.3	n/a
1991	67	4.5	14.8	0
1992	81	4.2	19.2	n/a
1993	69	5.0	13.8	0
1994	74	4.8	15.4	0
1995	66	5.6	11.8	0
1996	66	5.6	11.8	0
1997	62	4.6	13.5	0
1998	53	5.0	10.6	0
1999	58	5.4	10.7	0
2000	71	5.1	13.9	2.8
2001	61	6.0	10.2	3.3
2002	52	5.7	9.1	9.6
2003	52	5.7	9.1	9.6
2004	60	6.0	10.0	10
2005	52	5.8	9.0	13.5
2006	62	5.7	10.9	8.1
2007	64	6.5	9.8	9.4
2008	66	6.0	11.0	6.1
2009	60	6.0	10.0	11.7
2010	54	5.8	9.1	11.1
2011	58	5.8	9.8	20.7
2012	58	6.3	9.0	20.7
2013	64	6.5	9.8	21.9
2014	61	6.8	8.8	24.6
2015	65	7.0	9.2	23.1
2016	60	7.0	8.5	15
2017	56	6.3	8.7	25
2018	49	5.8	8.3	28.6
2019	56	5.8	9.5	7.1
2020	71	5.8	12.0	4.2
2021	70	6.8	10.1	n/a
2022	79	7.0	11.2	n/a
2023	72	6.0	12.0	n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Pioneer School

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2019	$10,465
2021	$11,135
2022	$11,224
2023	$11,664

Data source: Montana Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Pioneer School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	56	72	28.6%
African American	0	0
American Indian	0	11
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	5	4	20%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	48	57	18.8%
Two or More Races	3	0	100%

Schools Near Pioneer School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2023)				Ranking (2022)				Montana State Tests Mathematics (2023)	Montana State Tests Reading (2023)	Montana State Tests Science (2023)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	SchoolDigger Rating (2023)	Average Standard Score (2022)	Statewide Rank (2022)	State Percentile (2022)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Montana State Tests Mathematics All Grades	Montana State Tests Reading All Grades	Montana State Tests Science All Grades	Total
Pioneer School	Public	PK, KG-8	1937 Dover Road	Billings	59105	Yellowstone County	Pioneer Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 373-5357	72	6	12.0		57 (79.2%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (5.6%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (15.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	34.4	246^th of 332 public elementary schools	25.9%		43.3	227^th of 329 public elementary schools	31.0%	19	29.4	35.3		$11,664
Independent School	Public	PK, KG-6	2907 Roundup Road	Billings	59105	Yellowstone County	Independent Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 259-8109	297	19	15.7		256 (86.2%)	4 (1.3%)	20 (6.7%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.3%)	4 (1.3%)	9 (3.0%)	56	161^st of 332 public elementary schools	51.5%		76.6	83^rd of 329 public elementary schools	74.8%	78	44.3	45.9	33.3	$9,595
Beartooth School	Public	PK, KG-5	1345 Elaine Street	Billings	59105	Yellowstone County	Billings Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 281-6202	352	22	16.0		263 (74.7%)	1 (0.3%)	21 (6.0%)	1 (0.3%)	44 (12.5%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (6.3%)	56.9	156^th of 332 public elementary schools	53.0%		43.4	225^th of 329 public elementary schools	31.6%	69	36.7	43.8	43.6	$11,630
Bitterroot School	Public	PK, KG-5	1801 Bench Blvd	Billings	59105	Yellowstone County	Billings Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 281-6205	287	18	15.6		203 (70.7%)	1 (0.3%)	31 (10.8%)	2 (0.7%)	20 (7.0%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (10.5%)	37.3	234^th of 332 public elementary schools	29.5%		36.4	247^th of 329 public elementary schools	24.9%	13	32.3	34.2	31.4	$11,855
Bench School	Public	PK, KG-5	505 Milton Road	Billings	59105	Yellowstone County	Billings Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 281-6203	339	23	14.7		180 (53.1%)	6 (1.8%)	35 (10.3%)	2 (0.6%)	81 (23.9%)	2 (0.6%)	33 (9.7%)	20.4	282^nd of 332 public elementary schools	15.1%		19.7	288^th of 329 public elementary schools	12.5%	6	22.1	21.4	26.1	$11,799
Lockwood Intermediate	Public	3-5	1932 US Highway 87 E.	Billings	59101	Yellowstone County	Lockwood K-12	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 248-3239	365	27	13.5		287 (78.6%)	4 (1.1%)	29 (7.9%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (6.8%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (5.5%)								(n/a)
Lockwood Primary	Public	PK, KG-2	1932 US Highway 87 E.	Billings	59101	Yellowstone County	Lockwood K-12	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 252-2776	374	26	14.3		298 (79.7%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (11.5%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (5.6%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.2%)								(n/a)
Sandstone School	Public	PK, KG-5	1440 Nutter Blvd	Billings	59105	Yellowstone County	Billings Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 281-6220	416	24	17.3		305 (73.3%)	9 (2.2%)	35 (8.4%)	1 (0.2%)	34 (8.2%)	3 (0.7%)	29 (7.0%)	46.7	199^th of 332 public elementary schools	40.1%		48.6	206^th of 329 public elementary schools	37.4%	7	40.3	37.0	33.3	$11,038
Alkali Creek School	Public	PK, KG-5	681 Alkali Creek Road	Billings	59105	Yellowstone County	Billings Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 281-6200	336	21	16.1		253 (75.3%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (7.1%)	3 (0.9%)	27 (8.0%)	1 (0.3%)	28 (8.3%)	62	131^st of 332 public elementary schools	60.5%		57.8	159^th of 329 public elementary schools	51.7%	28	49.1	40.0	43.1	$11,286
Eagle Cliffs Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1201 Kootenai	Billings	59105	Yellowstone County	Billings Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 281-6210	416	26	16.0		343 (82.5%)	5 (1.2%)	20 (4.8%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (4.1%)	2 (0.5%)	29 (7.0%)	55.4	165^th of 332 public elementary schools	50.3%		64.2	137^th of 329 public elementary schools	58.4%	28	48.9	48.1	26.6	$10,886

Frequently Asked Questions about Pioneer School

What district is Pioneer School in?

Pioneer Elementary

What schools do graduates of Pioneer School attend?

Students who attend Pioneer School usually go on to attend:

High : Skyview High School

Is Pioneer School a good school?

Pioneer School ranks 246^th of 332 Montana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

How many students attend Pioneer School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 72 students attended Pioneer School.

What is the racial makeup of Pioneer School?

Students at Pioneer School are 79% White, 15% American Indian, 6% Hispanic.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Montana Office of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.