Boarding Schools in Montana

What's Up in Montana

This page features a list of boarding schools in Montana (MT), USA.

Montana is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Idaho to the west; North Dakota and South Dakota to the east; Wyoming to the south; and by the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan to the north. It is the fourth-largest state by area, the seventh-least populous state, and the third-least densely populated state. The western half of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges, while the eastern half is characterized by western prairie terrain and badlands, with smaller mountain ranges found throughout the state. In all, 77 named ranges are part of the Rocky Mountains.

Education in Montana (MT), USA

The Montana school system (prekindergarten through grade 12) operates within districts governed by locally elected school boards and superintendents. The Department of Education’s mission is to prepare highly qualified professional educators and administrators through exemplary campus and distance-based programs and field placements in quality public, private, and boarding schools. In addition, the department contributes to the state of Montana and the nation through the faculty’s active research and outreach efforts.

The Montana Department of Education (MDOE) requires that every high school boarding school student completes at least 20 credits and meets content and performance standards to receive a high school diploma. The MDOE has determined that 13 of the 20 credits must comply with the following to graduate: Four units of English language arts, two units of mathematics, two units of social studies, two units of science, one unit of health enhancement, with 0.5 units each year for two years, one unit of arts, and one unit of career and technical education. Individual school districts may have additional requirements.

The state allows boarding school students to graduate from high school with less than four years of enrollment if all requirements are met. It also will allow credits earned in any Montana high school boarding school accredited by the Board of Public Education to be accepted by all Montana high schools. Boarding school students should talk with their school’s counselor about what credits they need to graduate.

Montana is the 4th largest state in the United States with a variety of landscapes to explore. While there are not as many boarding schools in Montana as there are in some states, the schools that are available are viewed very favorably. Many of the schools are located in a more rural setting, and often times the school incorporates the surrounding area into their activities. Whether the school is located in the mountainous area of the state, or on the sagebrush-covered grasslands, students will be given the opportunity to experience a unique region of the United States.  In general, those who call Montana “home” value hard work, and respect for land and neighbor, and often this perspective is encouraged in students as well.

Full of mountains and wilderness, boarding school students in Montana can cleanse from the distracting life they left back at home. Montana provides boarding school students with rustic adventures along with top academics.

Montana Board of Education

When considering a boarding school, it is important to know state regulations for attendance, as well as the schools’ requirements. It would be wise to contact the Montana Board of Education to learn of any state requirements the student would need to meet in order to attend a boarding school there, as well as contacting the school itself to learn of any additional requirements that may be necessary. The cost associated with boarding schools may be a concern for some, but there are options that can help make the cost more manageable. Some schools may offer financial aid which could lower the total amount of tuition required, or they may offer grants that can help offset the cost of tuition or supplies. Oftentimes, tuition is billed in two large sums a year. Schools may work with financial service companies to provide payment plans which allow you to break the full tuition into several payments, making it easier to budget. It may also be possible that the student could qualify for scholarships provided through the school or other providers. Check with the school to see what requirements need to be met by the student in order to qualify for any programs offered through the school. There may also be local businesses, churches, or civic organizations that offer scholarships as well. The school you are considering or the local area Chamber of Commerce may know which organizations make scholarships available.