Enrollment report shows most schools gain students

Most Flathead Valley classrooms are more crowded than last year, according to a recent county-wide enrollment report.

There are 307 more students attending public, private and home schools in Flathead County, a 2 percent increase from last year, with a total enrollment of 15,774 students. The tally is based on an official enrollment count taken Oct. 3 and compiled by the office of the Flathead County Superintendent of Schools in the 2016 Statistical Report of Schools released this month.

Over the past decade, total enrollment in the valley has climbed 4 percent by 624 students.

The annual enrollment count is significant for school district funding with a direct tie to the amount of state funds received per student. More students equates to more money for schools. Even slight changes in enrollment can impact particularly small schools in a big way.

Several public elementary districts (grades kindergarten through eighth) in the valley are either in the stages of facility planning, planning to build, or have completed expansions to accommodate enrollment growth.

As anticipated, Kalispell Public Schools’ elementary district grew, reaching its highest enrollment in 10 years at 3,040 students. Over that time, the elementary district gained the most individual students in the valley — 362 or 14 percent.

Compared to 2015, enrollment grew by 22 students (1 percent) this year, right around projections.

“We’re fortunate we did not grow more than we did simply because of the current overcrowded conditions,” Kalispell Superintendent Mark Flatau said.

In October, taxpayers approved a $25.3 million elementary district bond issue to build a new school on Airport Road, remodel the district’s five existing elementary schools and complete deferred maintenance on Kalispell Middle School. The goal is to open the new elementary by the fall of 2018. If enrollment continues to grow by 1 percent annually, however, the new south elementary is projected to be over capacity by 2026.

WEST VALLEY School was not far behind in the number of students added over the past decade, gaining 201 students (52 percent). West Valley absorbed the increase by opening a new addition in the 2015-16 school year.

Enrollment continued to climb this year with 15 more students (3 percent), bringing the total to 591 students.

Whitefish and Smith Valley elementary districts are currently in the midst of facility planning.

Whitefish is looking at options to expand and upgrade Muldown Elementary. Enrollment in Whitefish grades kindergarten through eighth increased by 39 students (3 percent) compared to last year. Total enrollment is 1,225, the highest in 10 years.

Comparably, a smaller district such as Smith Valley also had a 3 percent increase, but only added six students for a total enrollment of 231 — its highest enrollment in a decade.

Compared to 10 years ago, there are 84 more students (7 percent) in the Whitefish elementary district. Smith Valley added 23 students over this time period, an 11 percent increase.

All public elementary school districts experienced increases compared to 2015 except Cayuse Prairie, Evergreen and West Glacier.

Helena Flats may have to start looking at its facilities after seeing an increase of 34 students (14 percent) bringing total enrollment to 249 students, its highest in 10 years.

“It was kind of a shock,” said Helena Flats Principal Dan Anderson. “We kind of lucked out right now because the growth was across the board. We did have to add an additional Montessori, [combination] first- and second-grade class, but we knew that a year ago because we had a really large kindergarten class,” Anderson said.

After talking with county planners, Anderson said there is potential for a subdivision to be developed within school district boundaries that would add 90 students.

Although Columbia Falls, the second largest district in the valley, increased by 34 students (2 percent) in grades kindergarten through eighth, it wasn’t enough to make up for a 10-year decrease of 159 students (-10 percent). Total enrollment stands at 1,435.

Evergreen’s elementary district took the biggest hit, decreasing by 50 students (-7 percent). Total enrollment is 694. Over the past decade, enrollment decreased by 86 students (-11 percent). Evergreen Superintendent Laurie Barron said there were a few things to consider, including a “very large” eighth-grade class that graduated and a “much smaller than anticipated” kindergarten class coming in. She said the decreases aren’t due to families moving, but less children being born in the district based on a demographic study.

“We have smaller cohorts of students coming in by grade level,” Barron said.

She said the study shows enrollment will experience slight ups and downs, leveling off over the next decade.

The district is also limited in regard to new construction.

“Our district is 3 miles wide,” Barron said. “So, we don’t have new housing going up as rapidly or as quickly.”

PRIVATE AND home-school student populations experienced significant increases at the kindergarten- through eighth-grade level. Whitefish Christian Academy, Stillwater Christian School and home schools saw gains.

Compared to last year, 56 more students (11 percent) were home schooled for a total enrollment of 566 students, the highest in 10 years. Over the past decade, the home-school population has increased by 162 students (40 percent).

Stillwater increased by 30 students (15 percent) over last year, bringing kindergarten- through eighth-grade enrollment to 233.

Whitefish Christian Academy had an additional 22 students (17 percent) compared to last year. Over 10 years it doubled its kindergarten- through eighth-grade enrollment bringing it up to 150 students. With this enrollment growth and plans to expand curriculum through 12th grade, the school has purchased 23 acres on Whitefish Stage Road as the future site of a new school.

“We’re growing,” said Whitefish Christian Academy Director of Development Clark Berg.

MOST HIGH schools around the valley experienced an uptick in enrollment compared to last year, but many appear not to have come out of a 10-year downturn that was impacted by the Great Recession — except for Kalispell.

Kalispell’s two high schools were the only ones to see increases both over last year and the past decade. Compared to 2015, Flathead and Glacier high schools increased by 20 students (1 percent). Over a 10-year period, the two high schools had an additional 286 students (11 percent).

There are currently 2,836 students attending Flathead and Glacier high schools.

In October, taxpayers in Kalispell and rural areas living in the high school district approved a $28.8 million bond to renovate the high schools and other facilities.

Bigfork High School is currently completing a $14 million renovation and addition. There were 18 additional students (6 percent) at Bigfork High School compared to last year, however, over 10 years decreased by 32 students (-9 percent).

Whitefish High School decreased by seven students (-1 percent) for a total enrollment of 482. Over 10 years, enrollment decreased by 162 students (-25 percent).

Despite increasing by five students (1 percent) compared to last year, Columbia Falls High School has undergone a decrease of 233 students (-27 percent), over 10 years. Total enrollment is currently 643 students.

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.