Article by Stephanie Hobby

According to nationwide data, Billings Public School students are at the top of the class. In the years since Superintendent Dr. Erwin Garcia took office in 2023, the district has been on a steady upward trajectory and continues to make gains. Garcia is responsible for implementing changes that he credits with directly impacting student achievement, and the district points to its focus on employing best practices and investing in its teacher task force as important reasons for student success. 

Among the recent achievements:  

• Billings eighth graders had the highest math scores in nationwide testing last spring;  
• Reading proficiency rose from 52% in 2022 to 61% last year.  
• Math proficiency increased from 49% in 2022 to 64% last year.  
• AP enrollments in the district increased from 1,473 students to 2,252 students, and 80% of of AP students scored a 3 or higher in assessments.  
• After hiring two new certified achievement specialists dedicated to high school Indigenous students, Indigenous student graduation rates across the district reached 74.7 percent last spring, up nearly 20 percent from 55.9 percent at the end of 2023.   

Additionally, Montana is one of 11 states that require students to take the college-entrance ACT exam, and of those states, Montana students ranked first in every subject; Billings students account for one-third of that statewide participation.  

“Montana is number one in every single subject, and that doesn't happen just because. That is simply evidence of the work that our teachers are doing: how much passion, how much alignment, and how great instruction is being provided,” said Superintendent Dr. Erwin Garcia, adding that new systems and pay increases are better supporting teachers, which translates to better outcomes. “What happens is the teachers are not so concerned about going after school to work three or four more hours to make ends meet. That teacher is able to go home and think about the next lesson, the next intervention, or the next support to help that child.”   

Originally printed in the May 2026 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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