Total enrollment
1,560
-3 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Custer County
Montana · Public K-12
Public-school enrollment in Custer County clocks in around 1,560 students across 13 schools (8 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high).
4-year change in Custer County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
12
+1 (+9%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Custer County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Montana | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 1,560 | #19 of 29 | #2,447 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 12 | #25 of 29 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.8:1 | #13 of 29 | #826 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 39.7% | #24 of 29 | #2,108 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 22.8% | #20 of 29 | #2,030 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Custer County school rankings
Residents
11,961
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
13
8 districts
Enrollment
1,560
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$70,605
Above Montana avg
Free/reduced lunch
39.7%
Below Montana avg
Elementary
8
717 students
Middle
2
329 students
High
2
514 students
Combined / other
1
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Miles City Elem
926 students · 8 districts in Custer County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Custer County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
27.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
5.0%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.4%
civilian labor
Median age
43
19.8% under 18
Test scores in Custer County
Latest 2020-21 ELA proficiency, 5 schools ranked. Montana state average: 47.2%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Kinsey School· 54.5%
- Washington Middle School 6-8· 41.0%
- Lincoln School· 39.0%
- Custer Co District High· 32.0%
- Garfield School· 27.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custer Co District High | Miles City | High | 09-12 | 487 | · |
| Washington Middle School 6-8 | Miles City | Middle | 06-08 | 326 | · |
| Garfield School | Miles City | Elementary | KG-05 | 210 | · |
| Lincoln School | Miles City | Elementary | 03-05 | 166 | · |
| Highland Park School | Miles City | Elementary | PK-02 | 126 | · |
| Jefferson School | Miles City | Elementary | PK-02 | 98 | · |
| Kinsey School | Kinsey | Elementary | PK-06 | 52 | · |
| Kircher School | Miles City | Elementary | PK-08 | 51 | · |
| Pine Hills Youth Corr Facil HS | Miles City | High | 09-12 | 27 | · |
| Riverview School | Miles City | Elementary | PK-08 | 8 | · |
| S Y School | Miles City | Elementary | PK-08 | 6 | · |
| Pine Hills Youth Corr Facil El | Miles City | Middle | 06-08 | 3 | · |
| S H School | Miles City | Combined | M-M | · | · |
Cities in Custer County
About Custer County
Custer County is a rural-scale county of about 11,961 residents in Montana. Its public-school system educates approximately 1,560 students across 13 schools.
Zooming out, census numbers show median household income runs near $70,605, roughly 27% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 5% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 8% above the Montana median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Custer County covers 8 elementary schools (717 students), 2 middle schools (329), 2 high schools (514), and 1 combined or other schools.
Miles City Elem dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 926 students on its own.
Looking at the last 4 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 1,560 students, remained close to its prior level from the 1,563 reported in SY 2020-21. The school count climbed from 11 to 12 across the same 4-year window.
On this page, the community for Custer County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data