Enrollment

Belt Valley High School is currently a class C school. Last year's senior class had 24 students who left, and the incoming freshman class had 23 students. This year, there is a fairly small senior class comprising only 17 students. Once they graduate, the student population from kindergarten through next year's seniors will range anywhere from 25 to 30 students. There is consistent growth, which presents a few challenges along with opportunities.

Previously, Belt allowed out-of-district students to attend the school, but this year they are no longer accepting students from outside the district. This decision is primarily to maintain a positive student-to-teacher ratio and create consistent class sizes.

Enrollments are fluctuating, which impacts interscholastic competitions. The MHSA classifies divisions by school enrollment. To be considered an AA school, there must be more than 801 students enrolled. The largest AA school in Montana is Billings West, with 2,208 students. To qualify as an A school, there must be between 301 and 800 students enrolled. The largest A school is Columbia Falls, with 687 students enrolled. The smallest schools are classified as B schools, which means they have between 101 and 300 students. The largest B school is Sidney, with 337 students enrolled.

Lastly, to be considered a C school, there must be 1 to 100 students enrolled. The largest C school is a tie between Box Elder and Forsyth, with 100 students enrolled.

Every year, the class districts change, but not by much, and often a school might remain in a classification that isn’t exactly aligned with the numbers for a variety of reasons. Most of the time, the student population balances out to the same number of high school students as the previous year, and Belt’s enrollment will probably remain in Class C for some time, with around 100 students most years for the foreseeable future.

Many students in Belt appreciate having smaller classes, as it allows for more one-on-one time with the teacher and enables them to receive additional help when needed. Smaller classes help students focus better, with fewer distractions around them, allowing them to complete the necessary work.