Yellowstone Academy Elementary

Summary:

Yellowstone Academy Elementary is a small public elementary school in Billings, Montana, serving grades PK-6 with just 24 students. Despite its small size, the school faces significant challenges, including low academic performance, declining rankings, and high per-student spending that does not translate to better outcomes.

With only 5% of students proficient in math and 10% proficient in reading, Yellowstone Academy Elementary lags far behind the state averages of 36.59% and 46.03%, respectively. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom 10% of Montana elementary schools, dropping from 232 out of 234 schools in 2005-2006 to 320 out of 332 in 2022-2023. This decline suggests the school is struggling to keep up with academic standards and may need to implement significant changes to improve student outcomes. Additionally, the school's student population is less racially diverse than nearby schools like Arrowhead School, Meadowlark School, and Elysian School.

Despite its high per-student spending of $58,145 in 2018-2019, which is significantly more than the $6,641 to $8,386 per-student spending at nearby schools, Yellowstone Academy Elementary is not seeing the expected academic results. This raises questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of the school's resource allocation and teaching practices. With several higher-performing elementary schools located within a few miles, Yellowstone Academy Elementary may have opportunities to collaborate, share resources, or learn from the practices of these more successful schools. However, the school's small size and declining performance suggest it may need to undergo a comprehensive review and implement strategic improvements to better serve its students and the local community.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

1750 Ray of Hope Lane
Billings, MT 59106

(406) 656-2198

District: Yellowstone Academy Elementary

SchoolDigger Rank:
320^th of 332 Montana Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $122,486

Students who attend Yellowstone Academy Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Yellowstone Academy 7-8
High:	Billings West High School

Student/teacher ratio: 4.7

Number of students: 32

Racial breakdown:

White:

59.4%

Two or more races:

15.6%

Hispanic:

12.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 81.3%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Yellowstone Academy Elementary ranks worse than 96.4% of elementary schools in Montana. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 3.59. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Yellowstone Academy Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (59.4%), two or more races (15.6%), American Indian (12.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 81.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Yellowstone Academy Elementary is 4.7. (See more...)

Compare Yellowstone Academy Elementary employs 6.7 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Yellowstone Academy Elementary is $122,486.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Yellowstone Academy Elementary was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Yellowstone Academy Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Yellowstone Academy Elementary 289^th of 300 Montana school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Yellowstone Academy Elementary

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MT State Percentile
2006	0.18	232^nd	234	0.9%
2021	3.76	343^rd	356	3.7%
2022	4.07	317^th	329	3.6%
2023	3.59	320^th	332	3.6%

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 Yellowstone Academy Elementary

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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	62	62
1991	65	12	0	0	8	n/a	n/a	0	85
1992	31	3	0	1	4	n/a	n/a	0	39
1993	35	4	0	1	1	n/a	n/a	0	41
1994	27	4	0	1	9	n/a	n/a	0	41
1995	26	2	0	2	11	n/a	n/a	0	41
1996	26	2	0	2	11	n/a	n/a	0	41
1997	39	1	0	0	10	n/a	n/a	0	50
1998	39	1	0	1	5	n/a	n/a	0	46
1999	48	2	1	0	6	n/a	n/a	0	57
2000	53	0	1	1	8	n/a	n/a	0	63
2001	45	0	3	4	9	n/a	n/a	0	61
2002	51	2	0	4	13	n/a	n/a	0	70
2003	51	2	0	4	13	n/a	n/a	0	70
2004	49	2	2	2	12	n/a	n/a	0	67
2005	63	4	2	3	11	n/a	n/a	0	83
2006	66	3	0	5	5	n/a	n/a	0	79
2007	53	4	2	5	11	n/a	n/a	0	75
2008	53	2	1	4	9	n/a	n/a	0	69
2009	56	1	0	5	5	n/a	n/a	0	67
2010	53	2	1	3	9	n/a	n/a	0	68
2011	47	3	0	8	3	1	1	0	63
2012	44	6	0	4	2	0	1	0	57
2013	37	0	0	4	4	0	1	0	46
2014	28	1	0	1	2	0	1	0	33
2015	26	1	0	2	0	0	0	0	29
2016	14	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	17
2017	16	1	0	3	2	0	1	0	23
2018	18	0	0	3	2	0	1	0	24
2019	15	2	0	0	1	0	1	0	19
2020	13	0	0	2	3	0	1	0	19
2021	17	0	0	2	0	0	2	0	21
2022	16	1	0	4	1	0	4	0	26
2023	17	0	0	3	1	0	3	0	24
2024	19	0	0	4	4	0	5	0	32

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 Yellowstone Academy Elementary

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	62	11.0	5.6	n/a
1991	85	1.0	85.0	0
1992	39	3.0	13.0	n/a
1993	41	14.5	2.8	0
1994	41	14.5	2.8	0
1995	41	15.3	2.7	17.1
1996	41	15.3	2.7	17.1
1997	50	16.1	3.1	34
1998	46	13.5	3.4	8.7
1999	57	14.1	4.0	94.7
2000	63	17.2	3.7	0
2001	61	19.7	3.1	95.1
2002	70	15.2	4.6	95.7
2003	70	15.2	4.6	95.7
2004	67	15.3	4.4	95.5
2005	83	17.3	4.8	37.3
2006	79	17.8	4.4	35.4
2007	75	19.0	3.9	32
2008	69	18.7	3.7	46.4
2009	67	19.6	3.4	46.3
2010	68	21.7	3.1	86.8
2011	63	20.7	3.0	95.2
2012	57	17.7	3.2	14
2013	46	19.5	2.3	19.6
2014	33	21.0	1.5	39.4
2015	29	16.0	1.8	31
2016	17	14.0	1.2	0
2017	23	13.7	1.6	34.8
2018	24	7.7	3.0	37.5
2019	19	8.4	2.2	100
2020	19	9.5	1.9	94.7
2021	21	9.8	2.1	n/a
2022	26	10.4	2.4	n/a
2023	24	11.3	2.1	n/a
2024	32	6.7	4.7	81.3

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 Yellowstone Academy Elementary

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	62	11.0	5.6	n/a
1991	85	1.0	85.0	0
1992	39	3.0	13.0	n/a
1993	41	14.5	2.8	0
1994	41	14.5	2.8	0
1995	41	15.3	2.7	17.1
1996	41	15.3	2.7	17.1
1997	50	16.1	3.1	34
1998	46	13.5	3.4	8.7
1999	57	14.1	4.0	94.7
2000	63	17.2	3.7	0
2001	61	19.7	3.1	95.1
2002	70	15.2	4.6	95.7
2003	70	15.2	4.6	95.7
2004	67	15.3	4.4	95.5
2005	83	17.3	4.8	37.3
2006	79	17.8	4.4	35.4
2007	75	19.0	3.9	32
2008	69	18.7	3.7	46.4
2009	67	19.6	3.4	46.3
2010	68	21.7	3.1	86.8
2011	63	20.7	3.0	95.2
2012	57	17.7	3.2	14
2013	46	19.5	2.3	19.6
2014	33	21.0	1.5	39.4
2015	29	16.0	1.8	31
2016	17	14.0	1.2	0
2017	23	13.7	1.6	34.8
2018	24	7.7	3.0	37.5
2019	19	8.4	2.2	100
2020	19	9.5	1.9	94.7
2021	21	9.8	2.1	n/a
2022	26	10.4	2.4	n/a
2023	24	11.3	2.1	n/a
2024	32	6.7	4.7	81.3

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 Yellowstone Academy Elementary

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2019	$58,145
2021	$48,113
2022	$104,965
2023	$122,486

Data source: Montana Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Yellowstone Academy Elementary

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	19	24	26.3%
African American	2	0	100%
American Indian	1	1
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	0	3
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	15	17	13.3%
Two or More Races	1	3	200%

Schools Near Yellowstone Academy Elementary

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
Yellowstone Academy Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	1750 Ray of Hope Lane	Billings	59106	Yellowstone County	Yellowstone Academy Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 656-2198	32	7	4.7	81.3%	19 (59.4%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (12.5%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (12.5%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (15.6%)	3.6	320^th of 332 public elementary schools	3.6%		4.1	317^th of 329 public elementary schools	3.6%	3	5.0	10.0		$122,486
Elder Grove School	Public	PK, KG-5	1532 South 64 Street W	Billings	59106	Yellowstone County	Elder Grove Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 656-2893	485	26	18.6	20.6%	411 (84.7%)	7 (1.4%)	23 (4.7%)	1 (0.2%)	15 (3.1%)	3 (0.6%)	25 (5.2%)	51.6	182^nd of 332 public elementary schools	45.2%		47.4	209^th of 329 public elementary schools	36.5%	27	40.5	39.7	37.0	$9,407
Canyon Creek School	Public	PK, KG-5	3139 Duck Creek Road	Billings	59101	Yellowstone County	Canyon Creek Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 656-4471	148	12	11.9	2.0%	123 (83.1%)	2 (1.4%)	11 (7.4%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (4.7%)	52.8	174^th of 332 public elementary schools	47.6%		53.6	183^rd of 329 public elementary schools	44.4%	9	30.0	46.4	42.3	$10,415
Big Sky Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3231 Granger Avenue East	Billings	59102	Yellowstone County	Billings Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 281-6204	341	20	17.3	36.1%	210 (61.6%)	11 (3.2%)	38 (11.1%)	5 (1.5%)	43 (12.6%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (10.0%)	42.3	217^th of 332 public elementary schools	34.6%		55.5	172^nd of 329 public elementary schools	47.7%	45	40.3	29.9	33.3	$12,017
Fred W Graff School	Public	3-4	417 East Sixth St	Laurel	59044	Yellowstone County	Laurel Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 628-6916	237	16	14.4	48.1%	209 (88.2%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (5.9%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (3.8%)	34.2	247^th of 332 public elementary schools	25.6%		53.7	181^st of 329 public elementary schools	45.0%	66	32.0	32.0		$11,643
Arrowhead School	Public	PK, KG-5	2510 38th Street West	Billings	59102	Yellowstone County	Billings Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 281-6201	428	24	17.9	10.3%	369 (86.2%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.5%)	1 (0.2%)	19 (4.4%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (5.6%)	90.1	28^th of 332 public elementary schools	91.6%		91.8	23^rd of 329 public elementary schools	93.0%	5	61.5	61.1	62.3	$11,052
West School	Public	1-2	502 Eighth Avenue	Laurel	59044	Yellowstone County	Laurel Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 628-6914	264	18	14.8	49.2%	227 (86.0%)	1 (0.4%)	17 (6.4%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (4.5%)								(n/a)				$13,322
Meadowlark School	Public	PK, KG-5	221 29th Street West	Billings	59102	Yellowstone County	Billings Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 281-6213	707	39	18.3	16.3%	586 (82.9%)	4 (0.6%)	29 (4.1%)	7 (1.0%)	34 (4.8%)	3 (0.4%)	44 (6.2%)	89	37^th of 332 public elementary schools	88.9%		83.4	67^th of 329 public elementary schools	79.6%	30	66.1	61.1	55.8	$10,489
Elysian School	Public	PK, KG-5	6416 Elysian Road	Billings	59101	Yellowstone County	Elysian Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	Yes	(406) 656-4101	286	21	13.7	31.1%	234 (81.8%)	2 (0.7%)	21 (7.3%)	2 (0.7%)	17 (5.9%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.5%)	78.8	69^th of 332 public elementary schools	79.2%		79.1	78^th of 329 public elementary schools	76.3%	9	48.8	57.9	50.0	$10,349
Boulder School	Public	PK, KG-5	2202 32nd Street West	Billings	59102	Yellowstone County	Billings Elementary	(n/a)	(n/a)	No	No	(406) 281-6206	508	28	18.0	12.4%	421 (82.9%)	2 (0.4%)	32 (6.3%)	5 (1.0%)	8 (1.6%)	1 (0.2%)	39 (7.7%)	73.3	90^th of 332 public elementary schools	72.9%		75	93^rd of 329 public elementary schools	71.7%	3	62.1	52.7	39.3	$11,015

Frequently Asked Questions about Yellowstone Academy Elementary

What district is Yellowstone Academy Elementary in?

Yellowstone Academy Elementary

What schools do graduates of Yellowstone Academy Elementary attend?

Students who attend Yellowstone Academy Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Yellowstone Academy 7-8
High : Billings West High School

What is the racial makeup of Yellowstone Academy Elementary?

Students at Yellowstone Academy Elementary are 59% White, 16% Two or more races, 13% Hispanic, 13% American Indian.

Is Yellowstone Academy Elementary a good school?

Yellowstone Academy Elementary ranks in the bottom 3.6% of Montana elementary schools.

How many students attend Yellowstone Academy Elementary?

In the 2023-24 school year, 32 students attended Yellowstone Academy Elementary.

Rate Yellowstone Academy Elementary!

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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.