Fort Smith School

Fort Smith School is an elementary-level community of micro-enrollment scale in Fort Smith, Montana, run under Hardin Elem, enrolling 17 students in grades pre-K through 5. That puts it 90% smaller than the typical public school in Montana, which averages around 167 students.

Fort Smith School is one of 5 schools operated by Hardin Elem, a district that works with 1,221 students overall.

For racial and ethnic makeup, Fort Smith School shows that 100% of students identify as Native American, making the school strongly Native American-majority.

Looking at school resources, Fort Smith School shows 3 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 5.0:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 11.9:1, putting Fort Smith School tighter than the state norm the norm. Around 100% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, often used as a Title I proxy.

In the broader community, Big Horn County reports that median household income runs about $58,750, 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 15%. Fort Smith School is one of 16 public schools in Big Horn County (combined enrollment of about 2,535 students).

The closest other public school is Lodge Grass High School, roughly 27.3 miles away.

The school occupies an outlying site.

Five-year trend. Over the past 7-year window, the student count ticked down 48%: 33 students in 2018 compared to 17 in 2025. White enrollment moved from 36% to 0% across the same window. The student-to-teacher ratio narrowed from 10.2:1 in 2018 to 5.0:1 today.

In the discussion threads here, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around open house dates, ride-share offers, and field-trip permission slips. Posting is open to anyone connected to the school.