Malmstrom Air Force Base  Education

The local school system is comprised of both public and private schools as well as college and career readiness opportunities.

The Great Falls Public School system currently has 1 pre-school, 15 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 2 high schools, and 1 alternative high school, as well as an adult education career and college readiness center located at Great Falls College (Montana State University system).

The Great Falls Private School system currently has 5 schools, 1 high school, and 1 private university. There are also several private pre-school options within the local community.

There are no schools located on the installation.

Please contact the The Child & Youth Education Services – School Liaison (CYES-SL) Office at 406-217-1173 or visit https://341fss.com/school-liaison/ for more information regarding any of these options or for information regarding local homeschool requirements.

For families choosing public education and reside on base, children will register and attend the following locations within Great Falls:

Elementary (k-6) - will register at Loy Elementary School located right outside the base gates. If enrollment is full, they will be assigned to another elementary school nearby. Bussing is provided if living outside of Peace Keeper Village on the installation.

Middle (7-8) - will register and attend North Middle School. Bussing from base is provided.

High School (9-12) – will register and attend Charles M. Russell High School (CMR). Bussing from base is provided.

Visit the Great Falls Public School System to view the school calendar year start date and information regarding bus service, attendance policies, meals, and extracurricular activities available at enrolling schools.

Documents needed at Enrollment:

Address and phone number of the school your child last attended.

Birth Certificates, Shot Records, Official or Unofficial copies of Education Records (if available), and copies of a student’s 504 Plan or Individual Education Plan (IEP) if they require Special Education services.

**If you are missing any of the documents needed for enrollment or have questions, contact the enrolling school or school liaison for help.

Grading System

The grading system utilized within the Great Falls Public Schools is uniform with regard to the scale used at grade levels. Primary students (grades K-2) are graded according to the following set of marks:

Grades K, 1 and 2:

• G = Good Progress
• S = Satisfactory Progress
• I = Improving
• N = Needs Improvement

At grade 3, the students are still graded according to the set of marks developed for grades 1-2, with the exception of marks in mathematics, spelling and English, which are graded on the following basis:

• A Excellent 90-100%
• B = Above Average 80-89%
• C = Average 70-79%
• D = Below Average 60-69%
• F = Unsatisfactory 59% - Below

The third grade progress report is a transition report, which allows students and parents the opportunity to experience the set of marks used uniformly in grades 4-12, while still being tied into the set of marks used in grades 1-2 in appropriate areas.

Grades 4 - 12 utilize the grading scale shown below:

• A = Excellent 90-100%
• B = Above Average 80-89%
• C = Average 70-79%
• D = Below Average 60-69%
• F = Unsatisfactory 59% - Below
• Study skills, work habits and citizenship are graded on a G, S, I, N basis in grades 1-6.
• G, S, N, I are the marks used to denote grades in reading at grades K-6.
• G, S, N, I are the marks used to denote grades in Handwriting, Art, Music, Health Enhancement (Physical Education), and Library in grades 4-6.
• The # sign is used in conjunction with grades K-6 to denote that the curriculum has been modified in some way to meet individual needs.
• Grades 4-6 use a separate instrumental music progress report.
• Students in grades K-12 may receive individualized comments from their teachers.
• The x sign is used in grades 9-12 to denote a course is being audited for no credit.
• If a grade is disputed, a review of the student's work and of class records is made by the principal and the teacher. Every effort shall be made to resolve the differences through a conference.

Graduation

The School Board shall award a regular high school diploma to every student enrolled in the district who meets the requirements of graduation established by the Great Falls Public School District. The official transcript will indicate the specific courses taken and level of achievement.

High School (9-12) Graduation Requirements

• English (4 credits) with demonstrated proficiency in public speaking/communication skills and writing each year to earn credit.
• Social Studies (3 credits)
• Mathematics (3 credits, including Algebra I unless waived through the Applied Math prerequisite process.)
• Science (3 credits, which shall include Foundations of Science or an additional elective upon demonstration of equivalent proficiency, one credit in biology and one credit of science elective)
• Health Enhancement (2 credits)
• Vocational/Practical Arts (1 credit which shall include either Career and Technical education and/or media production)
• Fine Arts: Art, Drama, Music (1 credit)
• Computer Literacy (.5 credit or demonstration of proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, database management and Internet basics)
• General Electives (5.5 credits, which shall include a second year of sequential study in a fine art, foreign language or vocational/practical art)

The base Education Center has information regarding programs offered through the university system & various colleges on the installation.

Malmstrom Education Center is located in bldg 1240, phone # is 406-731-3531/DSN 632-3531

If you are considering private/home schools please contact Lisa Sapp, Child & Youth Education Services-School Liaison (CYES-SL)
@ Cell: 406-217-1173 or email lisa.sapp.1@us.af.mil

Address:

6225 Maple Street | Building 4000
Malmstrom AFB, MT 59402