The superintendent’s releases decrease enrollment

On By Pranco

HELENA, Mont. — Montana Superintendent Elsie Arntzen has released tentative enrollment numbers for public school students in the fall of 2024.

The provisionally adjusted number of students for the fall of 2024 is 145,650, a decrease of 1,702 students or 1.2% compared to the fall of last year.

The numbers could change in the coming weeks as school districts can change or certify their data until December 31.

Below you will find a number of students per year:

  • 2024: 145,650*
  • 2023: 147,352
  • 2022: 149,189
  • 2021: 147,961
  • 2020: 144,219
  • 2019: 148,198

Superintendent Elsie Arntzen’s office sent the following:

HELENA – Superintendent Elsie Arntzen has released tentative student enrollment numbers for fall 2024 public schools. The Office of Public Instruction is required to collect enrollment data from Montana school districts each October and February, according to 20-9-311, MCA. Public school enrollment data is part of the Average Number of Belonging (ANB) calculation for school funding. The funding formula is based on factors such as student enrollment on two count dates, student instruction-related (PIR) days, and an average school year of 180 days. ANB is used to determine multiple entitlements and funding options that are used to calculate the school’s BASE and maximum overall budget limits for the next fiscal year.

“A promise is a promise, which is why my top legislative ask every session has been to prioritize school funding,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “Investing in our children creates a stronger future for our great state. I appreciate all of our Montana school districts for submitting their student census data this fall.”

Montana’s tentative adjusted student enrollment for ANB, fall 2024, is 145,650. The preliminary 2024 adjusted number of students in public school for ANB decreased by 1,702 students, or 1.2%, compared to the ANB adjusted student number in the fall of 2023. The historical number of adjusted students in public school for ANB was:

2024: 145,650*

2023: 147,352

2022: 149,189

2021: 147,961

2020: 144,219

2019: 148,198

*This data is considered preliminary and may change slightly in the coming weeks as school districts have until December 31 to change or certify their data.