This introduction to the establishment and navigation of Montana’s education data warehouse ultimately sets the foundations for data use practices for informed school decision making. Whether intimidated by data or intimately involved with data in decision making, this introduction is intended to provide the background knowledge surrounding Montana’s collected education data for effective and efficient access by school leaders and educators. The updated GEMS website launched in February of 2021, therefore stakeholders familiar with the previous version of GEMS will find this course helpful in understanding the updates and changes to the new platform. In addition, stakeholders new to navigation and use of GEMS will utilize this course as a beginner’s guide.