Billings West High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school in Billings, Montana. The school, a part of Billings Public Schools, serves around 2000 students with over 100 certified staff under principal Jeremy Carlson. Billings West's school colors are black and gold, and its mascot is the Golden Bear.
Serving 2,210 students in grades 9-12, Billings West High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Montana for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 30% (which is lower than the Montana state average of 35%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 46% (which is equal to the Montana state average of 46%).
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Montana state level of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Montana state average of 23% (majority American Indian and Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 2,210 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 21%
- Graduation Rate: 90% (Top 20% in MT)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 30% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 46% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 32% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MT Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Billings West High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Montana for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Billings West High School's student population of 2,210 students has grown by 17% over five school years.
The teacher population of 135 teachers has grown by 5% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
2,210 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
135 teachers
Year Founded
1959
School Rankings
Billings West High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 722 schools in Montana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Billings West High School is 0.37, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.40. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#453 out of 722 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
30%
35%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
46%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
37%
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
12:1
American Indian
4%
10%
Asian
1%
1%
Hispanic
8%
6%
Black
1%
1%
White
79%
77%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
7%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
90%
86%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
21%
42%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MT Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Golden Bear
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Billings West High School's ranking?
Billings West High School is ranked #453 out of 722 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Montana.
What schools are Billings West High School often compared to?
Billings West High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Billings Sr High School, Skyview High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
30% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 35% MT state average), while 46% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 46% MT state average).
What is the graduation rate of Billings West High School?
The graduation rate of Billings West High School is 90%, which is higher than the Montana state average of 86%.
How many students attend Billings West High School?
2,210 students attend Billings West High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
79% of Billings West High School students are White, 8% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Billings West High School?
Billings West High School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the Montana state average of 12:1.
What grades does Billings West High School offer ?
Billings West High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Billings West High School part of?
Billings West High School is part of Billings High School District.
School Reviews
Review Billings West High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
