Big Country Coop

Based in Miles City, Montana, the Big Country Coop operates as an active, regional educational service agency situated within a rural fringe setting. Distinct from traditional public school districts that directly manage individual school campuses, the cooperative maintains an open operational status while serving a specialized supportive role. It does not directly offer grade-level instruction or manage standalone school facilities; rather, it functions as a centralized collaborative agency designed to bolster educational capacity and specialized services across its participating regional communities.

To fulfill its operational mission, the cooperative utilizes a dedicated workforce consisting of 15.5 full-time equivalent staff members. In alignment with its primary mandate as a specialized service provider, the organization's staffing structure is heavily weighted toward targeted student and district support, featuring 13.5 full-time equivalent support personnel working alongside two full-time equivalent educators. For families, local school leadership, and educational researchers examining rural school infrastructure, the Big Country Coop highlights how dedicated service agencies efficiently extend vital professional expertise and educational resources across expansive rural landscapes.