At a glance
Reported students
634
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
37.1
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
17.1:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
06–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Montana middle enrollment
94th percentile
Compared with 229 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
356.5
Will James Middle School: 634 reported students.
State peer staffing position
92nd percentile
17.1:1 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
- 618
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36.38
- Student–teacher ratio
- 17:1
What the reported data says about Will James Middle School
Will James 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 634 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 94th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 17.1:1, 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 (72.9%) and Hispanic or Latino (8.8%). English learners represent 3.1% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 12.1%. 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 Will James Middle School
- 1How do the reported 17.1:1 student–teacher ratio and 37.1 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
- 3.1%
- Students with disabilities
- 12.1%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 45.7%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 2
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- 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
- White72.9%
- Hispanic8.8%
- Black0.8%
- Asian1.7%
- American Indian / Alaska Native7.4%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.9%
- Multiracial7.4%
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.
Castle Rock Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
691 reported students
Ben Steele Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
740 reported students
Lewis & Clark Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
741 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 Will James 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis & Clark Middle School Middle · Billings Elem | 06–08 | 741 | 2.1 mi |
| Elysian Middle School Middle · Elysian Elem | 06–08 | 148 | 2.9 mi |
| Ben Steele Middle School Middle · Billings Elem | 06–08 | 740 | 3.3 mi |
| Billings Multilingual Acad MS Middle · Billings Elem | 06–08 | 21 | 4 mi |
| Riverside Middle School Middle · Billings Elem | 06–08 | 436 | 4.1 mi |
| Elder Grove 7-8 Middle · Elder Grove Elem | 06–08 | 248 | 5 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Will James Middle School
What grades does Will James Middle School serve?
Will James 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 Will James Middle School?
Will James Middle School reported 634 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 94th percentile among 229 Montana middle schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 618 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Will James Middle School?
The calculated ratio is 17.1:1, based on 634 students and 37.1 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 Will James Middle School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Will James Middle School is a public school. Enrollment is generally based on Billings Elem attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Will James Middle School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
45.7% 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 Will James Middle School in?
Will James 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 Will James Middle School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Lewis & Clark Middle School (2.1 mi), Elysian Middle School (2.9 mi), Ben Steele Middle School (3.3 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.