BILLINGS - Sex education is taught in Billings Public Schools. School is where most kids spend a big chunk of their young lives. But, does what they learn there impact their choices when it comes to sex?

In School District 2, sexual education is referred to as Human Growth And Development and is taught under Health Enhancement. Gail Surwill, Director of Curriculum for the district, said the district teaches an abstinence plus program; meaning the use of condoms is discussed only for disease prevention.

"So, when we talk about HIV, and communicable diseases condoms are talked about then, but as far as if we're going to talk about sex it is abstinence," said Surwill.

Abstinence plus has been taught for the past eight years. Before that, Surwill says it was strictly abstinence. Health enhancement curriculum is up for review in two years. The school board approves what is taught, but Surwill said the community is involved in structuring it.

"I think it's a joint effort," said Surwill. "As a parent, there's a role that I see that I need to play with my kids and there's a role I want the district to play."

"I don't think school, the stuff that we're taught in health class, kids don't pay attention to it," said Oceana Seder, 18, mother to be. According to a group of teen parents, their peers were more influential, and felt pressure to have sex. "I told him no three times," said Jennifer McCoy, 18, about trying to avoid sex with her boyfriend.

Whether they learned it at school or through life experience, they all agree how not to get pregnant. "Most important thing is to not do what everybody else is doing and just use abstinence," said Cody Hartman, 17, father-to-be. They said they will talk to their kids early on about sex, "Yes, I am, I'm going to be very open," said Hailey Rodabough, 17.

Surwill said health is usually taken in grades 4th through 9th. She said when the health curriculum comes up for review, she doubts it will change significantly as the community has a conservative record when it comes to teaching sexual education in public schools.