School enrollment trends across Montana, 2005 to 2019

Top line in each region represents regional enrollment trend. Divisions within a region represent the portion of students enrolled in particular districts over time.

Homeschool

Private

Public school districts

Urban centers

Rural areas

2005

2019

2005

2019

2005

2019

2005

2019

2005

2019

40,000

40,000

students

30,000

30,000

Regional enrollment

Regional enrollment

4,238-student

increase

2,143-student drop

20,000

20,000

Billings Elem.

10,000

10,000

Billings H.S.

Bozeman H.S.

0

0

Yellowstone Co.

(Billings)

Missoula Co./

Ravalli Co.

Gallatin Co.

(Bozeman)

Flathead Co.

(Kalispell)

Rural

Mountains

2,260-student drop

40,000

40,000

30,000

30,000

Regional enrollment

Regional enrollment

20,000

20,000

10,000

10,000

0

0

Cascade Co.

(Great Falls)

Lewis & Clark Co.

(Helena)

Silver Bow Co.

(Butte)

Rural

Plains

Homeschool

Private

Public school districts

Urban centers

Rural areas

2005

2019

2005

2019

2005

2019

2005

2019

2005

2019

40k

40k

Regional enrollment

Regional enrollment

30k

30k

4,238-student

increase

20k

20k

10k

10k

0

0

Yellowstone Co.

(Billings)

Missoula Co./

Ravalli Co.

Gallatin Co.

(Bozeman)

Flathead Co.

(Kalispell)

Rural

Mountains

40k

40k

Regional enrollment

Regional enrollment

30k

30k

20k

20k

10k

10k

0

0

Cascade Co.

(Great Falls)

Lewis & Clark Co.

(Helena)

Silver Bow Co.

(Butte)

Rural

Plains

Homeschool

Private

Public school districts

Urban centers

2005

2019

2005

2019

2005

2019

2005

2019

40k

Regional enrollment

4,238-student

increase

30k

20k

10k

0

Yellowstone

(Billings)

Missoula/

Ravalli

Gallatin

(Bozeman)

Flathead

(Kalispell)

2005

2019

2005

2019

2005

2019

40k

Regional enrollment

30k

20k

10k

0

Cascade

(Great Falls)

Lewis &

Clark

(Helena)

Silver Bow

(Butte)

Rural areas

2005

2019

2005

2019

40k

Regional enrollment

30k

20k

10k

0

Rural

Plains

Rural

Mountains

Data: Montana Office of Public Instruction. School years are labeled by spring semester year, e.g., figures labeled 2019 are for the 2018-19 school year. Graphic: Eric Dietrich / MTFP