Shepherd Elem

Every figure on PlainSchools is rendered directly from the source NCES, CRDC and F-33 federal records, no number is typed in by an editor. District totals are aggregated directly from the schools reporting under this district in the source records. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, the data changelog, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.

Shepherd, Montana - 2 schools

An equity score of 30/100 ranks Shepherd Elem #94 of 141 districts in Montana (state average 38). Derived live from how evenly resources are distributed across the district's schools.

At $10,165 per pupil, Shepherd Elem ranks #375 of 393 Montana districts by per-pupil spending (Montana districts). NCES F-33 finance data.

562
Total Enrollment
2
Schools
$10,165
Per-Pupil Spending
Combined, Middle
School Types

District-Level NCES Analysis

Shepherd Elem operates 2 public schools serving 562 students, placing it among the smallest districts in Montana. The school portfolio breaks down into 1 combined, 1 middle schools, a small enough portfolio that most families will interact with nearly every campus in the district at some point. These enrollment and school figures come from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024-25 release, and the district is based in Yellowstone County.

Per-pupil expenditure runs $10,165 according to the NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey, among the bottom 40 of 393 Montana districts by per-pupil spending. See how Montana compares in our national per-pupil spending analysis. The funding mix is 31.8% local, 44.9% state, and 23.3% federal, a balanced mix across local, state, and federal sources, spreading budget risk across funding cycles rather than concentrating it in one. The district's equity score is 30/100, ranked #94 of 141 in Montana against a state average of 38, notably less even than the typical district in the state for how evenly funding reaches its schools.

a 261:1 student-counselor ratio, somewhat above the 250:1 ASCA recommendation, and 23.1% chronic absenteeism from the 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection. Demographically, the student body averages 91.5% White, 2.0% Hispanic or Latino, 0.9% African American across the district's schools.

Its largest campus is Shepherd Elementary, enrolling 342 students (66% of the district's total enrollment).

Shepherd Elementary accounts for 60.9% of all Shepherd Elem student enrollment

That is an overwhelming concentration, leaving the rest of Shepherd Elem a distant remainder — means Shepherd Elem-wide averages can mask substantial variation outside the largest entity. Grade band: combined. The share measures enrollment concentration only; it does not establish how the district allocates programs, capital, or staff. Because it contains a majority of the affected population, enrollment-weighted aggregates will sit closer to this entity's reported fields than to those of smaller peers; an unweighted entity count answers a different question.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data

Shepherd Elem student-counselor ratio is 261:1 — near the typical range (US average ~408) — within the typical range for U.S. public districts

student-counselor ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE counselors against total enrollment, districts that contract intervention or social-emotional staff outside the counselor classification may be under-counted Variation between sub-units within Shepherd Elem is typically wider than the Shepherd Elem-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection

Shepherd Elem chronic absenteeism rate is 23.1% — near the typical range (US average ~28) — aligned with the national post-pandemic baseline of roughly 28% chronic absenteeism

chronic absenteeism rate is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: a student is chronically absent if they miss ≥10% of enrolled days for any reason, illness, family obligations, or disengagement Variation between sub-units within Shepherd Elem is typically wider than the Shepherd Elem-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22

Where does the funding come from?

23.3%
Federal
44.9%
State
31.8%
Local

Funding Equity

30
Equity Score
94 / 141
State Rank
38
State Average

This district scores below average on funding equity. High reliance on local revenue or lower spending may contribute.

Student Demographics

Average demographic composition across 2 schools in Shepherd Elem.

White 91.5%
Hispanic or Latino 2.0%
African American 0.9%
Multiracial 0.6%
Other 4.9%

Source: NCES CCD School Membership 2024-25.

Programs & Resources

261:1
Student-Counselor Ratio
23.1%
Chronically Absent

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22.

Schools in Shepherd Elem

School Enrollment
Shepherd Elementary
342
Shepherd Middle School
180

How Shepherd Elem Compares to Similar-Size Districts

The Montana districts closest to this one in total enrollment.

District Enrollment Spending Funding Mix
Browning H S Similar size Higher spending Less locally funded
Somers Elem Similar size Similar spending More locally funded
Cut Bank Elem Similar size Higher spending Similar funding mix
Target Range Elem Similar size Similar spending Similar funding mix
Whitefish H S Similar size Higher spending More locally funded

Comparisons are relative to Shepherd Elem's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data and the F-33 Finance Survey.

Nearby Districts in Montana

Top districts in the same state, compare side-by-side for enrollment, spending, and demographics.

Billings Elem
10,988 students · 28 schools · $12,015/pupil
Compare vs Shepherd Elem →
Great Falls Elem
7,032 students · 17 schools · $12,146/pupil
Compare vs Shepherd Elem →
Billings H S
5,610 students · 3 schools · $12,233/pupil
Compare vs Shepherd Elem →
Missoula Elem
5,280 students · 12 schools · $13,401/pupil
Compare vs Shepherd Elem →
Helena Elem
5,225 students · 13 schools · $13,752/pupil
Compare vs Shepherd Elem →

Nationwide districts with similar enrollment or spending

Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by per-pupil expenditure, not the same-state lists above.

Compare Shepherd Elem

See how this district compares to others in enrollment, spending, demographics, and academic resources.

Compare vs Billings Elem →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools are in Shepherd Elem?

Shepherd Elem has 2 schools, including 1 combined, 1 middle. Total enrollment is 562 students.

How much does Shepherd Elem spend per student?

Shepherd Elem spends $10,165 per student. The district has an equity score of 30/100, ranking #94 in Montana.

What is the demographic composition of Shepherd Elem?

Shepherd Elem students are 91.5% White, 2.0% Hispanic or Latino, 0.9% African American, 0.3% Asian, averaged across 2 schools. Source: NCES CCD Membership 2024-25.

What is the equity score for Shepherd Elem?

Shepherd Elem has an equity score of 30/100, ranking #94 out of 141 districts in Montana.