Early enrollment numbers show some movement in both Marshall County school districts, although administrators say the overall picture remains relatively stable. Langford Area is beginning the school year with fewer students than last year, while Britton-Hecla is also seeing a decline, largely due to a change involving Westwood Colony.
The first day of classes was Aug. 18 for Britton-Hecla and Aug. 19 for Langford Area.
Langford Area School District is beginning the 2026-27 school year with a preliminary enrollment of 219 students between the Langford school and Newport Colony school, or 236 students when PreK is included.
The district had a total enrollment of 242 students last year when PreK was included, putting this year’s preliminary enrollment down by six students. Superintendent Shad Storley said the numbers are fairly consistent across the district.
“Down a hair from last year, overall pretty stable across the board,” Storley said. “We anticipate similar trends in the future.”
There are 193 students in grades K-12 attending school in Langford this year, with 95 students in grades K-5, 48 students in middle school and 50 students in high school. Newport Colony has 26 K-8 students, the same number as last year.
Storley said he was pleasantly surprised by the class sizes, which are generally hovering around 15 students or slightly higher.
“That makes me pretty happy,” he said.
Class sizes for students attending in Langford this fall include 15 in kindergarten, 15 in first grade, 19 in second grade, 15 in third grade, nine in fourth grade and 17 in fifth grade. In middle school, there are 18 sixth graders, 15 seventh graders and 15 eighth graders. The high school has 14 freshmen, 14 sophomores, 12 juniors and 15 seniors. There are also 17 PreK students.
Newport Colony has two kindergarten students, three first graders, three second graders, three third graders, four fourth graders, six fifth graders, one sixth grader, three seventh graders and one eighth grader.
Last spring, 16 seniors graduated from Langford Area.
At Britton-Hecla, preliminary enrollment is currently 429 students, down from 467 students during the 2025-26 school year. Superintendent Steve Benson said the decrease is primarily the result of Westwood Colony’s decision to become a private school.
The Britton-Hecla Elementary School has 162 students, including 26 kindergarteners, 36 first graders, 17 second graders, 27 third graders, 26 fourth graders and 30 fifth graders.
The middle school has 80 students, with 33 sixth graders, 25 seventh graders and 22 eighth graders.
The high school has 142 students, including 43 freshmen, 34 sophomores, 33 juniors and 32 seniors.
Sunset Elementary currently has 37 students, with four kindergarteners, five first graders, five second graders, five third graders, four fourth graders, two fifth graders, four sixth graders, three seventh graders and five eighth graders. Sunset High School has six students, including one freshman, two sophomores, one junior and two seniors. There are also two out-of-district placements.
A combined 35 students graduated from Britton-Hecla High School and Sunset High School last spring.
Benson noted that the numbers are preliminary and could change as students move in and out of the district before the official count. The state’s official enrollment count date is in late September.
