Montana Schools Report Enrollment Decline, Bozeman Increases

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - After serving as the Superintendent of the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) for the last eight years, Elsie Arntzen is preparing to step down and make way for Susie Hedalin who will take over in January.

I spoke to Arntzen this week about the numbers released recently regarding student enrollment.

OPI Superintendent Elsie Arntzen Said Many School Districts Report Fewer Students

“Last year we had 1,800 fewer students, and this year, we have 1,700 fewer students from last year,” began Arntzen. “We are showing a trend since the pandemic, that we have fewer elementary students. And then you think of that trend, so we start a system of K-12, where they start school in elementary what will that mean in the next 10 years for graduation as this thing moves through?”

Arntzen said one Montana city is bucking the trend, simply because of its booming growth; and that’s in Bozeman.

“Where are there more students?” she asked. “We see that of course, in Bozeman. Their elementary and high school districts, have two districts, one that is K-8 and then they have one that's 9 through graduation. They have an increase of 65 students in this data.”

Arntzen said Bozeman is One District Where Enrollment is Growing

Arntzen pointed out the enrollment decline in Montana’s capital city of Helena.

“In Helena, they have an elementary and a high school district,” she said. "They have two districts in which they have had a decrease of 130 students. If a classroom size is about 20 students across our state, then there are a lot of classrooms that will be empty and those bus routes will not have as many students on them. There will be fewer dollars that flow into the school districts because our funding formula is based on student enrollment.”

Arntzen Was Concerned About How Reduced Enrollment Will Affect the Economy

Arntzen asked out loud what many were thinking. What effect will fewer students have on schools, and eventually the state’s economy?

“ (There are) fewer high school students based on these fall numbers, so what does that mean for Montana's economy in the future as they create their own path forward as well for their community and their future families?” she asked. “We know we're an older state. We know that we're not growing babies like we used to, but we also recognize that K-12 education is a good indicator of what our future will be.”

Arntzen's office provided the following information regarding enrollment.

"Out of 395 districts, 220, or 56%, saw a decrease in student enrollment while 175 districts saw an increase or no change. Out of 395 districts, 220, or 56%, saw a decrease in student enrollment while 175 districts saw an increase or no change."

According to Jennifer Savage, Public Information Officer with MCPS, enrollment numbers are:

In 2023, MCPS K-6 4051, 7-8 1,106 and 9-12 4,023

In 2024 MCPS K-6 4114 (+63) 7-8 1,115 (+9) 9-12 3,957 (-66)