Missoula County Public Schools

06/06/2026

Graduation ceremony for Big Sky High School in Missoula at the University of Montana Adams Center.

06/05/2026

Willard High School families and friends packed last night to kick off Graduation Season for Missoula County Public Schools.

The Native American Student Services Drum Group performed an Honor song, then Chris Bacon, owner of gave the keynote. He shared his mantra of Balance, Optimism, Motivation, and Belief, encouraging graduates to believe in themselves and "lean into learning."

Student speakers shared heartfelt messages of gratitude with teachers and staff at Willard. Best wishes for this class of brave and thoughtful young people.

"Graduation is not an ending, it is proof we never stopped moving." - Ellyanna

Missoula Graduations continue 6/5-6/7. See our FB Events for links to the livestreams for Hellgate, Sentinel, and Big Sky, or find them on MCAT YouTube.

06/04/2026

Some excited kids showed families their work during Arts Integration Night at Missoula's TEACH Academy. All classes showed their work: Kindergarteners danced, 1st graders read their Sun-Moon cycle poems, and 2nd-3rd graders performed a play they wrote about pollinators, complete with costumes. Bright artwork surrounded the gym.

TEACH Academy is an MCPS charter public school that incorporates project-based learning and the arts into all subject areas. SPARK Arts Ignite Learning artists work with classroom teachers to bring lessons to life and inspire “unplugged” curiosity.

06/03/2026

Congratulations to MCPS students Geffen Guscio (Sentinel), Evan Pyron (Hellgate) and Alyssa Stephens (Sentinel), named as UM Presidential Leadership Scholars and enrolling in UM's Davidson Honors College. Way to go, Class of 2026!

The UM Davidson Honors College has selected 28 elite high school students for the Presidential Leadership Scholarship. As UM’s most prestigious academic recognition for incoming students, the scholarship provides four years of funding for students joining campus this fall. The Presidential Leadership Scholars represent eight states, including 15 from Montana. We’re glad they chose to go The Montana Way! Go Griz!

View the PLS winners: bit.ly/UMpls2026

05/30/2026

These Kindergarteners enjoyed their very first tipi lessons at Russell Elementary. Students played running games and got their wiggles out before entering the tipi for a lesson.

Kudos to MCPS' awesome Native American Student Services team for creating a fun and engaging learning experience.

05/27/2026

Do you live in Seeley Lake, Potomac or Clinton? If you are a registered voter and have a passion for great public education, please consider applying to become a Trustee at MCPS. You'll commit to attend regular meetings on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays and participate in additional tours and activities that support operations at MCPS.

Apply by 12pm on June 15, 2026.

Learn more: https://www.mcpsmt.org/our-district/board-of-trustees

05/21/2026

Final field trip for Ripple: The Center for Education and Ecosystem Studies with Chief Charlo Elementary 5th graders - featured on MT Public Radio!

05/15/2026

Kindergarteners braving the hot spring sun for a tree planting on the Russell Elementary School campus started chanting "Steve! Steve! Steve!"

Were they calling a student? Teacher? A parent? No! They were naming the tree they'd just helped to plant. The students shared that trees are important for "breathing, climbing, shade and birds" before scooping soil to help plant these trees as their service project for this year.

This project, envisioned by the Healthy Schools Team with Families for a Livable Climate and shovel-wielding parents Norman Singley and Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan, replaces asphalt with green space, adding 8 trees to the campus. It was made possible with local grants, help from Montana Ace The Garden Place and MCPS Facilities.

05/12/2026

Students participating in the Sentinel @70 campaign have a vision and a plan for improving their campus. Way to go, Sentinel High School Spartans!

What started with a few new trees is growing into a full-blown campus glow-up at Sentinel High School, where students are helping turn a mostly grassy stretch o

05/08/2026

Wow! First Interstate Bank donated $25,000 to the Hawthorne Playground Fund through their "Believe in Local" program. Thanks to FIB Missoula for supporting this multi-year fundraising campaign.

Learn more: Hawthorne Elementary Family Page