Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

46 Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce www.greatfallschamber.org " ll students engaged in learning today…for life tomorrow" is the vision of Great Falls Public Schools (GFPS). GFPS is the 2nd largest school district in Montana. All 10,217 students are prepared through comprehensive PK-12 programming and extensive extra- and co-curricular offerings. With Malmstrom Air Force Base located within school district boundaries, GFPS works closely with military students and families as they transition to and from Malmstrom. The Indigenous Peoples Program focuses on Indian Education for all students and teachers as well as the support and cultural development of the Indigenous students, staff, and families the district serves. The district focuses on engaging all students to include emphases on customized learning opportunities in Career and Technical Education, Military (ROTC) and college preparation. Most importantly, the district emphasis is on the development of responsible citizens. Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade students are served in the Early Learning Family Center, fifteen neighborhood elementary schools, two middle schools, two traditional high schools and a 9-12 grade education center. The district also provides life-long adult learning opportunities through its E D U C AT I O N Great Falls Public Schools Get Down to Business A College and Career Readiness program at Great Falls College MSU. Students are served by approximately 750 highly trained and qualified educators, many of whom have received state and national recognition. Over 70% of GFPS teachers have a master's degree or higher. The district supports stellar fine arts programs as exemplified by the GFPS Music Department being selected as one of the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation's 2021 "Best Communities for Music Education." The department is a 10-time winner of this prestigious award. The district is also proud of its competitive athletic programs and Career and Technical Education Student Organizations. Many of our teachers and students partner with the Chamber of Commerce and its members through the Chamber's Business Networking Groups, student presentations at Chamber Board Meetings, GFPS Culinary Arts students preparing and serving food at Chamber events, and the deployment of collaborative business competitions for our business students/entrepreneurs. Chamber members and leaders are often guest speakers at school events, so the district is sure to include the business perspective. This year, the district is a key partner with the Chamber's new Workforce Education Coalition. GFPS appreciates the many Great Falls businesses and Chamber members who support job shadows and internships as students explore their futures and career pathways. The District's Career and Technical Education programs rely on the expertise of many local businesses and organizations to enhance traditional educational programming. Hands- on experiences in construction, manufacturing, health care, finance, agriculture, and computers/technology are essential and possible thanks to many local businesses. One of the goals of the Workforce Education Coalition is to increase business participation, thereby bolstering student internships, and teacher externships to enhance and increase the workforce pipeline in the Central Montana region. Great Falls Public Schools believes providing high quality educational opportunities to our community's children can only be accomplished via partnerships with students, staff, family, and the community. With activities like "Business Goes to School," "Leadership High School," and a variety of family and community events at more of the schools, we are working together to help forge a different future of opportunity and prosperity in Great Falls. Photo provided by Great Falls Public Schools

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