In 1996-97, students attended schools that ranged in size from 1 student to 2,043 students. Native Americans are Montana's largest minority group, comprising almost ten percent of the total 1996-97 student population. At the elementary level, they represent eleven percent of the student population and at the high school level, nearly eight percent. 242 out of the 886 schools in Montana report no minority population. At each grade level, more boys than girls are enrolled.
Students attend school districts of vastly different sizes.
In 1996-97, Montana had 457 operating school districts. 38 percent of public school students are enrolled in the 14 largest districts and one percent are enrolled in the 113 smallest districts. More than two-thirds of the school districts enroll fewer than 200 students. In 1996-7, students attended schools that ranged in size from 1 student to 2,043 students. Over 92 percent of the school systems provide additional services to students through special education programs and the Title VI federal funds to assist with innovative programs.