Welcome to our district site and the 2011-12 school year.  Our school district has five k-5 elementary schools, one middle school, two high schools, two alternative programs and a Vocational-Agriculture Center.  Our student population for this year is just under 6000 students.

 We are justifiably proud of the academic accomplishments of our school district.  At all grade levels and in all curricular areas Kalispell’s students perform well above state averages and are consistently one of the highest scoring large school districts in the state.  We have met or exceeded No Child Left Behind expectations in all areas with the exception of the graduation rate. Because of our regard for the importance of writing, all of Kalispell’s juniors are involved in the Montana University Writing assessment and both Flathead and Glacier High School’s students annually score at or near the top of all the schools in the state of Montana.  Additionally, Kalispell’s high school students’ average ACT scores are well above state and national averages.   Further, Montana students’ scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) are consistently among the upper tier of all the states in our nation.  From this information, it is safe to conclude that the students of the Kalispell Public Schools are achieving at high levels when compared to other schools in our state, our nation and world.  More detailed information on the student achievement levels of Kalispell’s students can be found on this website on page 35.

We believe that connecting students to school through activities and athletics is important way to keep our students actively engaged in school.  Since opening our new high school four years ago and creating a middle school from our junior high model, we have more than doubled the amount of 6-12 students involved in a wide array of extra and co-curricular activities.  You may go to the individual school websites for more information on these options.

We have organized our sites to better meet individual needs.  Our k-5 schools have a wide variety of interventions to support students who need interventions and enrichments.  Our middle school is organized in cross curricular houses to build “team” as well address academic achievement.  Both high schools have Freshman Academies, teach a core class in 21st Century Skills and provide Career Field opportunities.  Glacier High School provides Advanced Placement options while Flathead High School is the only International Baccalaureate program in Montana.

Our district truly believes in “Our Kids-Our Future” and to that end strives to provide collaborative opportunities with our parents, community and local businesses.  We look forward to working with you in a variety of ways.  Welcome to our schools.

Darlene Schottle, Superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools