Overview
As of 2023, Montana law now supports two different types of charter options for public education: Community Choice Schools and Public Charter School programs. This guide will focus on Public Charter School programs authorized by HB 549.
What to Expect
What is a Public Charter School (PCS) program?
PCS programs in Montana are created and designed to serve the unique needs of a particular student population and to achieve a specific set of educational objectives.
Under Montana’s PCS framework, PCS programs can ONLY be created and governed either by an existing local public school board or, if the local public school board declines to create a proposed PCS program, then by an independent board that must hold a district wide election within the first year of operating.
School boards apply to the Board of Public Education (BPE) for approval of a PCS program. If approved, PCS programs enter into a charter contract with the BPE.
All of the PCS programs currently approved in Montana are governed by existing public school boards.
Are PCS programs like charter schools in other states?
PCS programs are unlike charter schools that parents may be familiar with in most other states, differing in key areas with respect to autonomy, authorizers, flexibility of standards, and accountability. Parents will find Community Choice Schools, Montana’s other public education charter option, to have more similarities to most other state’s charter schools.
Enrollment
PCS programs are technically open to all students living in the state of Montana, but PCS are mandated to give preference to students living in the attending district. If there are more applicants than spots available at a PCS, after the resident students are placed, a lottery will be used to randomly select students coming from out of district.
Standards
PCS programs in Montana are subject to all of Montana’s education laws, administrative rules and regulations unless variances are specifically allowed for within their charter contract with the BPE. Variances to standards may include things like: reduced administrative requirements, reduced instructional hours, varied proof of proficiency, or allowance to alter graduation requirements.
Additionally, state law requires PCS programs to uphold a performance framework agreed to in the charter contract which includes annual performance targets for academic proficiency and achievement, enrollment, attendance, post-secondary readiness, financial performance and operational health of the program. The Performance Frameworks will be used in conjunction with traditional accreditation standards and will be used to decide upon renewal at the end of the charter contract. Click HERE to view the basic performance contract adopted by the BPE.
Facilities
While PCS programs in Montana also have the option to acquire separate school facilities, all PCS programs currently approved in Montana operate within existing public school facilities.
Available Public Charter School Programs
The BPE has approved 19 PCS programs for the 2024-2025 school year and an additional five PCS programs for the 2025-2026 school year. Since the PCS programs currently approved aren’t technically separate schools, PCS programs may appear in our School Finder tool under Traditional Public Schools and not Public Charter school type search options.
Each PCS program must submit a Performance Report to the Board of Public Education on an annual basis to ensure alignment with the adopted Public Charter School Performance Framework. You can find these Performance Reports on BPE’s Public Charter Schools’ Reports page.
Each approved PSC program is listed below, along with a link to any specific PSC program website or district website to help parents learn more about options near them.
2024-2025 Approved and Operational PCS Programs
Billings Early College School
The mission of BECS is to inspire, educate and empower students from diverse backgrounds through transformative educational opportunities to earn both a high school diploma and college credits toward an Associate Degree.
Billings Multilingual Academy
Billings Multilingual Academy (BMA) strives to support our multilingual students and their families. We recognize the importance of celebrating our diversity and honoring our differences to further grow and sustain our shared community. Opening Fall 2024, the BMA will serve students in grades 6-12 who have been identified as English Language Learners to provide them opportunities to develop their academic English skills, and other academic tasks as well as connections to community and cultural learning opportunities. The BMA is located on the 4th floor of the Lincoln Center.
Billings Opportunity School
We see engaged students and staff who share responsibility, are prepared to tackle future challenges, are willing to take risks and try new things, challenge the status quo, appreciate diversity, and see the best in everyone. We see graduates.
Bitterroot Polytech, Hamilton
The Bitterroot Polytech’s mission is to provide individualized, proficiency-based, and career-directed graduation pathways that create student success stories through innovation in education. The program recognizes the importance of individualizing education to meet the needs of each individual student based on strengths, interest, and learning styles, and will accomplish this through building meaningful relationships that support the student’s ability to envision a personally rewarding future, the path to get there, and the means to achieve it.
Bridger Charter Academy, Bozeman
Bridger Charter Academy is a school located within Bozeman High School. The charter offers core course credit through proficiency-based instruction on the same BSD7-approved standards in a smaller learning community.
Bronc Fast Track Public Charter School, Frenchtown
Allows high school students an opportunity to graduate with a University of Montana certificate in general education concurrently with their high school diploma. The program is designed for college-bound students. Each year, up to 30 sophomores who meet the criteria will be admitted to the 30-37 credit program. These students will get a jump start on their academics at the University of Montana. The college credits earned meet the Montana University System core requirements and have a common core guarantee transferability to schools within the Montana University System and most institutions across the United States.
CONNECT Academy, Missoula
Our mission is to provide flexible, innovative, and student-centered online learning that empowers every learner to thrive academically, socially, and personally. We are committed to fostering a supportive, connected community where students can explore their passions, develop critical skills, and prepare for a successful future—anytime, anywhere.
CORE School at Morningside, Great Falls
Creation of teachers
Opportunities for students
Respect our unique community
Educational excellence
A public school where classroom teachers are also college instructors and education majors working and learning day-to-day in the school setting. The purpose is to grow high quality teachers who feel supported and want to stay in the profession long term.
227 Academy, East Helena*
The Mission of The 227 Academy is to provide a personalized education enabling all students to achieve, succeed, and thrive. The vision is to provide a productive learning environment providing students more flexibility to earn and recapture credits, working toward their high school diploma. This program is critical to ensure students at risk of failure or dropping out have alternative avenues to success in school and in life. The services and personalized approach of The 227 Academy will benefit, not only the individual student, but the community at large in having a more successful and more educated populace and workforce.
*Integrated program within East Helena High School
Flathead PACE Academy, Kalispell*
Flathead PACE Academy empowers students to explore career fields and post secondary opportunities while flexibly completing core high school requirements. Students graduate high school competent in academic and career-based skills, having experience in one or more career field areas.
*Integrated program within Flathead High School
Helena Montessori Charter School
HPSD Montessori Charter School will educate, engage, and empower each student to maximize their individual potential with the knowledge, skills and character essential to being a responsible citizen and life-long learner.
Helena Project for Alternative Learning Center
The HPSD Project for Alternative Learning Academy’s mission is to include and empower students who struggle socially, emotionally, and academically in a learning environment that is conducive to their unique needs. The school will recognize every student’s individuality and help provide them and the community with educational, personal, and vocation resources.
Mount Ascension Learning Academy, Helena
Mt Ascension Learning Academy is an online and hybrid school option for grades 1-12, providing a transformative and personalized education experience that empowers students to thrive academically, socially, and personally.
RISE Charter and Distance Learning Academy, Corvallis
The distance learning academy meets the needs of all its students by offering an almost infinite number of software program options for distance learning. The DLA also gives families options for part distance learning and part on campus instruction as an additional flexibility. This academy will provide an educational experience that provides opportunity, with its focus on digital and hybrid learning, that students would not otherwise receive in a traditional brick and mortar setting. In addition, the DLA will provide alternative placements on our campus within our (a) K-12 Learning Centers, (b) our Independent High School, (c) and face to face electives/core classes based on availability.
RISE Charter and Pathway Learning Academy, Corvallis
The pathway learning academy allows students to explore educational interests and eventually a career path that best suits their abilities. Beginning in kindergarten and continuing throughout their educational career, students work to spark their imagination by actively participating in their learning. In addition, the PLA is uniquely correlated to our community and provides opportunities for families and students to explore a plethora of school to work pathways. Those pathways include; (a) Farm to Food (b) Salute to Service (c) Medical (d) Construction (e) Stream to STEAM and (f) Business. It is our intent to develop a K-12 academy that provides every student an opportunity to engage in a multitude of educational experiences through direct instruction, field trips, guest speakers, internships, micro-credentials and dual enrollment classes.
Rising Wolf Charter School, Kalispell*
Rising Wolf Charter School’s mission is to inspire lifelong learning by providing a broad, engaging education in a respectful, safe, and supportive environment. Their vision is to offer flexible scheduling for students who want something different than the traditional school schedule, and provide more personalized learning opportunities.
*Integrated program within Glacier High School
TEACH Academy, Missoula*
The TEACH Academy is dedicated to empowering Future Educators and Nurturing Creative Minds. This academy will seek to bridge the worlds of an arts integrated elementary school with an innovative approach to attracting pre-service teachers. The TEACH Academy is committed to: Teaching Excellence in the Arts and Creative Harmony.
*Integrated throughout MCPS
2024-2025 Approved and Operational PCS Programs
Big Horn Academy, Hardin
BHA is dedicated to preparing students for life after graduation, whether they choose to continue their education, enter the workforce, or serve in the military. BHA is for students in the Hardin Public School system that are at-risk of not graduating and need an alternative environment to earn their high school diploma. Our approach is one of partnership with parents. We are dedicated to collaborating closely with them to craft individualized plans that cater to the unique needs of their children, setting them on a path to success.
Butte Pathway Academy
Dedicated to fostering a personalized learning environment that empowers every student to thrive. Their mission is to provide transformative learning opportunities that equipped students with the competencies necessary to become responsible, engaged, and contributing citizens. Our vision is to cultivate a dynamic and inclusive learning community, where every student is inspired to reach their full potential.
Central Montana Career and Technical Educational Academy, Lewistown
Central Montana Career and Technical Education Academy is dedicated to providing high-quality, hands-on education and training that empowers students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to excel in their chosen careers. We strive to foster a supportive and innovative learning environment that meets the evolving needs of our community and industry partners.
Libby Central Charter School
The vision is to provide a productive, flexible and safe learning environment for students to earn and recapture credits, while working to build career-based competencies and emotional resilience.
Ronan Charter Academy*
The Ronan Charter Academy (RCA) targets students who would benefit from an alternative learning environment, including those engaged in work-based learning, aspiring to post-secondary education, and interested in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in grades 7-12. Additionally, the RCA will provide educational opportunities for homeschool students by offering a charter school curriculum that expands access to resources and experiences not typically available through traditional homeschooling
*Integrated within the high school curriculum
More Resources
Board of Public Education Public Charter School Overview
Public Charter School Application Resources
Public Charter School Performance Reports
Charter School FAQs & Mythbusters
