B+
Above Average
83/100

Ben Steele Middle School

📚 06 – 08 🏫 Middle
📍 5640 Grand Avenue, Billings, MT 59106
Overall
B+
83/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
B+
0.5 grade levels above the U.S. average · 70th percentile in Montana
Resources
B
Class size, funding, school size and type

Each score is graded separately against Montana schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools

83
Repit Score
out of 100
738
Students
enrolled
17.6:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$13K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Achievement (reading & math, grades 3–8)75%70/1000.5 grade levels above the national average, 2022–25 (Stanford SEDA)
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)25%76/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

Students served: 24% students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Compared with Montana schools serving a similar share of low-income students, this school’s reading and math results are +6 points better than expected. (Context only; not part of the score.)

The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in Montana. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools

Test Scores & Graduation

📖 Reading proficiency49% (+1 pts vs. state avg 48%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19
➗ Math proficiency43% (+5 pts vs. state avg 38%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.

How Student Groups Do Here

Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the Montana state test (2018–19), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.

StudentsReadingMathvs. same group statewideRank in state for this group
White51%45%reading -4 pts, math +0 pts45th percentile (list)
Hispanic35%25%reading -3 pts, math -1 pts44th percentile (list)
American Indian / Alaska Native10%—reading -10 pts30th percentile (list)
Multiracial45%35%reading +3 pts, math +5 pts54th percentile (list)
Low-income27%22%reading -9 pts, math -5 pts28th percentile (list)

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.

School Information

Address 5640 Grand Avenue
City Billings
ZIP Code 59106
District 3003870
NCES School ID 300387001118
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 59106

Understanding the community around Ben Steele Middle School helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $114,911
Per Capita Income $66,386
Poverty Rate 2.2%
Households Earning $100K+ 55.4%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 52.6%
High School or Higher 98.3%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $463,900
Median Rent $1,327
Owner-Occupied 78.3%
Renter-Occupied 21.7%
View full data for ZIP 59106 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 59106 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 59106 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for Ben Steele Middle School.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 48.1%
Female 51.9%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

White 83.6%
Two or More Races 5.7%
Hispanic/Latino 4.6%
American Indian 3.9%
Asian 1.5%
Black 0.4%
Pacific Islander 0.3%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 738
Teachers (FTE) 42.0
Student:Teacher Ratio 17.6:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for Ben Steele Middle School?
Ben Steele Middle School has a Repit School Score of 83 out of 100, earning a grade of B+. The score is based mainly on reading and math proficiency compared with other schools in the state, with class size and funding counting for a smaller share.
How many students attend Ben Steele Middle School?
Ben Steele Middle School has 738 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.6:1.
What grades does Ben Steele Middle School serve?
Ben Steele Middle School serves grades 06 – 08 and is classified as a Middle. This is a public school.
How much funding does Ben Steele Middle School receive per student?
Ben Steele Middle School receives $13,071 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is around the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around Ben Steele Middle School in 59106 ▼
Avg Home Value
$547,877
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,732
1-Year Change
+2.1%
% Renters
21.7%

Other Schools in 59106

View all schools and real estate data for 59106 →

About Repit School Scores

Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:

  • Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
  • Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
  • Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.

Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology

Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026