Whitefish School District’s end-of-year enrollment numbers have held steady for the last five years.  

The district had around 1,900 students in the 2000s, which dropped to about 1,550 by 2010. Enrollment stayed around 1,550 through 2015. The numbers then steadily climbed back to 1,919 by May 2020 and have hovered around that amount since. 

This school year, the district started the year with 1,940 students and ended with 1,887. 

It is typical to see an early graduation or withdrawal of a few students in the spring, said Superintendent Dave Means. The 2023-24 school year saw a drop from 1,954 to 1,932.  

The steady school enrollment trend does not correspond with the city's population growth. 

Whitefish’s population was 7,751 in 2020 and 9,256 in 2024, according to the U.S. Census. In both the 2020 and 2024 census, 17.2% of people in Whitefish are under 18 years old. 

THE HIGH school will be prepared for another boom regardless.    

At the school board meeting June 10, A&E Design presented renderings of the high school expansion that emphasize natural lighting and flexible learning corridors.  

Last year, Whitefish voters approved a $6.1 million athletic expansion bond to construct a new 10-lane track and football field with 1,500-seat grandstands. A separate $26.5 million bond was approved to expand the high school. 

At the core of the high school expansion is a two story “Bulldog Boulevard” which will be connected to the preexisting commons and gym spaces to create space for classrooms centered on career pathways such as hospitality, business, agriculture and trades.  

On the interior, natural light from skylights, an exposed timber structure and balanced building acoustics are incorporated. Flexible open learning spaces and seating in corridors have been integrated to create a welcoming environment. Bulldog branding, trophy showcases and a hall of fame are designated on wall spaces to build identity.  

On the exterior, there will be a north entry section of the expansion with garage doors and a covered outdoor learning area for trade classrooms.  

Both the academic and athletic expansion projects are on track to start March 2026. The goal is to complete the athletic updates prior to the 2027 spring sports season. 

Accommodations during construction for winter sports such as wrestling are still being worked out, Jacobs said. A new athletic scoreboard is in order, but the affordability of video capabilities has not been determined. 

THE BOARD renewed standard transportation agreements with other districts and approved a few new hires. Landon Henderson will be the new head coach for boys basketball next year.  

The board approved two new textbooks, one for AP psychology and one AP physics, a new course offering for the 2025-26 school year.   

Junior Carmella Forcone will serve as the new student representative for the school board.