Total enrollment
1,845
-73 (-4%) vs SY 2020-21
Richland County
Montana · Public K-12
Richland County reports 15 public K-12 schools and roughly 1,845 students enrolled, per NCES, with a mix of 7 elementary, 4 middle, and 4 high.
4-year change in Richland County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
15
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Richland County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Montana | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 1,845 | #16 of 29 | #2,294 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 15 | #21 of 29 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 11.3:1 | #7 of 29 | #357 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 37.4% | #26 of 29 | #2,196 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 29.4% | #13 of 29 | #1,825 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.
Richland County school rankings
Residents
11,235
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
15
10 districts
Enrollment
1,845
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$73,084
Above Montana avg
Free/reduced lunch
37.4%
Below Montana avg
Elementary
7
899 students
Middle
4
426 students
High
4
520 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Sidney Elem
879 students · 10 districts in Richland County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Richland 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+
22.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
5.8%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.3%
civilian labor
Median age
38
24.9% under 18
Test scores in Richland County
Latest 2020-21 ELA proficiency, 7 schools ranked. Montana state average: 47.2%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Central Elementary· 47.0%
- Sidney Middle School· 45.0%
- Fairview 6-8· 44.5%
- Savage School· 44.5%
- Fairview School· 37.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Lambert School· 15.0%
- Sidney High School· 27.0%
- Fairview School· 37.0%
- Fairview 6-8· 44.5%
- Savage School· 44.5%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sidney High School | Sidney | High | 09-12 | 355 | · |
| Sidney Middle School | Sidney | Middle | 06-08 | 319 | · |
| West Side Elementary | Sidney | Elementary | PK-02 | 288 | · |
| Central Elementary | Sidney | Elementary | 03-05 | 272 | · |
| Fairview School | Fairview | Elementary | PK-05 | 134 | · |
| Fairview High School | Fairview | High | 09-12 | 92 | · |
| Rau School | Sidney | Elementary | PK-06 | 70 | · |
| Lambert School | Lambert | Elementary | PK-06 | 66 | · |
| Savage School | Savage | Elementary | PK-05 | 64 | · |
| Fairview 6-8 | Fairview | Middle | 06-08 | 59 | · |
| Savage High School | Savage | High | 09-12 | 40 | · |
| Lambert High School | Lambert | High | 09-12 | 33 | · |
| Savage 6-8 | Savage | Middle | 06-08 | 29 | · |
| Lambert 7-8 | Lambert | Middle | 07-08 | 19 | · |
| Brorson School | Sidney | Elementary | PK-06 | 5 | · |
Cities in Richland County
About Richland County
Richland County is a low-population county of about 11,235 residents in Montana. Its public-school system enrolls approximately 1,845 students across 15 schools.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show the median household earns about $73,084 a year, 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is around 6%. That income level is 12% above the Montana median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Richland County covers 7 elementary schools (899 students), 4 middle schools (426), and 4 high schools (520).
The largest single district in Richland County is Sidney Elem, which alone enrolls about 879 students.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Richland County has fell 4% since SY 2020-21, moving from about 1,918 students to 1,845.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Richland County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data