Total enrollment
253
+21 (+9%) vs SY 2017-18
McCone County
Montana · Public K-12
McCone County runs 5 public K-12 schools per the latest NCES counts, with an average school size of about 51 students. By grade band, the county runs 2 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high schools.
7-year change in McCone County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
5
-1 (-17%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
91%
was 94%
% Hispanic
1%
was 3%
% Black
0%
was 1%
% Asian
0%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
5
3 districts
Enrollment
253
NCES CCD
Median income
$69,375
Above Montana avg
Free/reduced lunch
38.3%
Below Montana avg
Elementary
2
100 students
Middle
2
79 students
High
1
74 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Circle Elem
136 students · 3 districts in McCone County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of McCone 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+
23.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
4.4%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.1%
civilian labor
Median age
53
18.6% under 18
Test scores in McCone County
Latest 2020-21 ELA proficiency, 2 schools ranked. Montana state average: 47.2%.
Top 2 schools (ELA)
- Redwater School· 64.5%
- Redwater 7-8· 54.5%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circle High School | Circle | High | 09-12 | 74 | · |
| Bo Peep School | Circle | Elementary | PK-03 | 57 | · |
| Redwater School | Circle | Middle | 04-06 | 48 | · |
| Vida School | Vida | Elementary | PK-08 | 43 | · |
| Redwater 7-8 | Circle | Middle | 07-08 | 31 | · |
Cities in McCone County
About McCone County
In Montana, McCone County is a sparse county of about 1,670 residents. 5 public schools across the county educates about 253 students between them.
For perspective, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $69,375, roughly 23% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 4% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 6% above the Montana median.
On the school-mix side, McCone County comprises 2 elementary schools (100 students), 2 middle schools (79), and 1 high school (74).
Circle Elem is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 136 students across McCone County.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in McCone County has expanded 9% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 232 students to 253. Over that span, McCone County closed 1 school, going from 6 to 5. The White share of public-school enrollment decreased from 94% to 91%.
In the discussion threads here, the community for McCone County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data