State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Arntzen Announces Fall Enrollment Numbers
HELENA- State Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen announced Montana's fall 2021 student enrollment numbers today. The Office of Public Instruction (OPI) collects enrollment data per Montana statute from school districts each October and February. The enrollment numbers are defined in the state funding allocations for Montana school districts according to MCA guidelines.
“These preliminary enrollment numbers reflect that Montana is seeing students return to our public schools from the 2020-21 year when the pandemic dramatically impacted our schools, communities, families, and children,” State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen said. “Through the previous school year, flexibilities were provided for teachers and school leaders. Montana embraced a greater understanding of learning opportunities for all of our students. It is our constitutional goal to develop the educational potential of every student,” Arntzen added.
- Combined public, private, and homeschool enrollment was the highest in twenty years. Enrollment of all Montana was 165,336.
- Montana has seen a 2.5% increase in public school enrollment, with 149,334 students enrolled. This reflects the highest public-school enrollment in 19 years.
- Private school enrollment increased from 7,600 to 8,364, marking an increase of 13.6%; the highest private school enrollment in 14 years.
- Montana’s homeschool registered enrollment declined from 9,668 to 7,368 students, a decline of 25.3%. This is the second-highest enrollment in the last 30 years, with last year being the highest.
This data is considered preliminary and may change slightly over the next few weeks as school districts have until December 31st to change or certify their data.
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