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 transitional kindergarten, 15 elementary schools (k-6), 2 middle schools (7-8), 2 high schools and 1 alternative high school (9-12), 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 School Liaison Program Manager (SLPM) 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.

For families choosing public education and residing off-base, children will need to be enrolled and attend the nearest grade appropriate school to their residence.

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.

• Registrations are completed at each individual school or online (for all grade levels).
• Elementary principals and secretaries begin conducting registrations in mid-August. Middle schools and high schools are open all summer.
• Items needed: (1) Proof of birth date in the form of copy of birth certificate, baptismal certificate, passport, etc. for kindergarten students only or 1st grade students who did not attend kindergarten (2) current shot records. This information is needed for all grade levels of registration.

**If you are missing any of the documents needed for enrollment or have questions, contact the enrolling school or school liaison for help. Boundaries & Registration / Boundaries & Registration (schoolwires.net)

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)
• Career and Vocational/Technical Education (CTE)(which shall include (Agriculture, Business, Family and Consumer Science, Industrial Technology, and medical/Health Occupations.) Courses in Media Production, Graphic Arts/Publications, Stagecraft, and Video Productions may qualify for CTE credit dependent on the stateteacher licensure requirements.Fine Arts: Art, Drama, Music (1 credit)
• Financial Tech Skills (.5 credit)
• General Electives (5.5 credits)

Education-Education-Adult Education

The Education & Training Center (ETC) is a service organization for all Air Force members, family members and DoD Civilians, and serve as the focal point for all things education, both formal and voluntary. The ETC provides services in 7 main areas:

• College and Career Counseling regarding all things voluntary education, to include Military Tuition Assistance (MilTA), Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) degrees, commissioning, civilian degrees, AFCOOL, AU-ABC, SkillBridge (SKB), Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), GI Bills, scholarships, etc.
• Brief base populace throughout the Military Life Cycle and encourage members to utilize over $100k in education benefits to prepare for civilian transition.
• Provide and interpret career assessments to assist with civilian career and/or degree choice.
• Provide various military testing.
• Focal point for managing Military Base Training and Career Development- ensure unit level training programs are IAW directives, up-channels status of training to Wing leadership.
• Focal point for managing Military Formal Training- ensure various professional military education training allocations are processed and resolve any conflicts with units and schools.
• Focal point for managing Civilian Education, Training and Development programs, as well as approval and disapproval.

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

The School Liaison Program Manager (SLPM) is committed to outreach, advocacy, and partnership initiatives that generate real-time solutions for military-connected students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 as they face global educational challenges and transitions. SLPM services are designed to deliver unparalleled educational advocacy, outreach, and partnerships for our military-connected students around the globe!

The SLPM serves as a conduit of school information and is the primary contact for public and private schools offering support for our military-connected families. The SLPM is available for consult regarding questions or concerns related to educational issues or common stressors that may be affecting you and/or your child’s educational opportunities. The SLPM has resources available and serves as the installation POC for all local military-family connected education matters.

For more information, please contact Ms. Lisa Sapp, School Liaison Program Manager (SLPM) @ Cell: 406-217-1173 or email lisa.sapp.1@us.af.mil

Address:

6225 Maple Street | Building 4000
Malmstrom AFB, MT 59402