At a glance
Reported students
740
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
40.1
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
18.5:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
06–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Montana middle enrollment
97th percentile
Compared with 229 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
356.5
Ben Steele Middle School: 740 reported students.
State peer staffing position
96th percentile
18.5:1 reported; state peer median 11.9:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 795
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45.87
- Student–teacher ratio
- 17.3:1
What the reported data says about Ben Steele Middle School
Ben Steele Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 06–08 in Billings. It is one of 28 current school records connected to Billings Elem. NCES reports 740 students for 2024–25.
Among 229 middle schools in Montana with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 48 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 97th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 18.5:1, above the Montana median of 11.9:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (84.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (5.1%). English learners represent 0.8% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 9.9%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Ben Steele Middle School
- 1How do the reported 18.5:1 student–teacher ratio and 40.1 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 2 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 0.8%
- Students with disabilities
- 9.9%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 23.8%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 2
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White84.6%
- Hispanic5.1%
- Black0.4%
- Asian1.1%
- American Indian / Alaska Native3.6%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial5%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Billings Elem
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Lewis & Clark Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
741 reported students
Castle Rock Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
691 reported students
Will James Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
634 reported students
Medicine Crow Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
517 reported students
Riverside Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
436 reported students
Billings Multilingual Acad MS
Middle · Grades 06–08
21 reported students
Public schools near Ben Steele Middle School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elder Grove 7-8 Middle · Elder Grove Elem | 06–08 | 248 | 3.1 mi |
| Will James Middle School Middle · Billings Elem | 06–08 | 634 | 3.3 mi |
| Yellowstone Academy 7-8 Middle · Yellowstone Academy Elem | 07–08 | 16 | 3.7 mi |
| Elysian Middle School Middle · Elysian Elem | 06–08 | 148 | 5 mi |
| Canyon Creek 6-8 Middle · Canyon Creek Elem | 06–08 | 69 | 5 mi |
| Lewis & Clark Middle School Middle · Billings Elem | 06–08 | 741 | 5.4 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Ben Steele Middle School
What grades does Ben Steele Middle School serve?
Ben Steele Middle School reports grades 06–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a middle school in Billings Elem.
How many students attend Ben Steele Middle School?
Ben Steele Middle School reported 740 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 97th percentile among 229 Montana middle schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 795 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Ben Steele Middle School?
The calculated ratio is 18.5:1, based on 740 students and 40.1 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Montana median for the same school level is 11.9:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Ben Steele Middle School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Ben Steele Middle School is a public school. Enrollment is generally based on Billings Elem attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Ben Steele Middle School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
23.8% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Ben Steele Middle School in?
Ben Steele Middle School is part of Billings Elem, based in Billings, MT, which operates 28 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Ben Steele Middle School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Elder Grove 7-8 (3.1 mi), Will James Middle School (3.3 mi), Yellowstone Academy 7-8 (3.7 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.