Enrollment in public Montana colleges by high school students in Billings Public Schools has plummeted from 50% to 29% since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decline is attributed to factors like rising tuition costs, inflation, technical career opportunities, and the looming threat of student debt. In response, Billings Public Schools is partnering with Concordia College of Moorhead, Minnesota, to enhance college access and model the innovative approach of public charter schools.
On Wednesday, Billings Public Schools inked a memorandum of understanding with Concordia College, offering the “Concordia Promise” to students at the Billings Opportunity School. This initiative provides college counseling and free tuition for students from households earning less than $90,000 annually, contingent on admission. The liberal arts college guarantees a four-year graduation, covering the fifth year if needed.
Superintendent Erwin Garcia noted the partnership with Concordia, despite other closer colleges, reflects the district’s commitment to students from low-income families who may not have considered higher education. This collaboration exemplifies the concept of public charter schools, a topic of debate among Montana lawmakers, with Republicans supporting and Democrats expressing concern over potential resource diversion from public schools.
The Billings Opportunity School, an adapted elementary school, focuses on personalized learning and offers specialized programs in areas like diesel mechanics and cybersecurity. Concordia College President Colin Irvine emphasized the importance of personal career counseling, guiding students unfamiliar with processes like FAFSA or college admissions.
Garcia highlighted the need for such partnerships to address why out of 5,600 high school students, 2,600 do not pursue higher education. For Concordia, the collaboration aims to reconnect with Eastern Montana and Billings alumni while fostering the next generation of college students.
The partnership does not preclude ongoing efforts with local institutions like Rocky Mountain College and Montana State University-Billings. These collaborations, such as dual-credit enrollment, help students earn college credits while still in high school. The approach seeks to inspire students who may not have envisioned themselves in college, providing them with guidance and opportunities.
Concordia alumna and Billings City Councilmember Jennifer Owen shared her transformative college experience as a first-generation student. Ninth-grader Miranda Velasquez from Billings Opportunity School described the positive impact of individualized instruction on her aspirations to become a psychiatric nurse. Bo Bruinsma, the district’s career outreach director, emphasized transforming the narrative from “Can I attend college?” to “Should I attend college?” by making higher education accessible and attainable.
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