Flathead communities share in grants to boost graduation

Columbia Falls, Kalispell, Libby and Polson share in grants totaling $11,500 to support ongoing Graduation Matters efforts and community partnerships to ensure more high school students graduate college and career ready.

Fourty-four communities will share a total $88,500 in Graduation Matters Montana grants. The purpose of Graduation Matters Montana is to increase the number of high school graduates through peer mentoring, job shadowing and college readiness programs, among other initiatives.

These final Graduation Matters Montana grants are funded by AT&T and the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation. Over the last six years, Graduation Matters Montana has received more than $1.3 million in private foundation and business funds to support local programs.

Last January, the Office of Public Instruction reported a record-high graduation rate of 86 percent as a result of Graduation Matters programming. There are currently 58 communities involved in Graduation Matters.

“Graduation Matters Montana has gone a long way in making sure the public remains a key piece of public education,” state Superintendent Denise Juneau said in a press release. “When schools, communities, and businesses come together to support our students, there is no limit to what we can achieve together.”

Communities that received grants and summaries of how they will use funds are as follows:

— Columbia Falls: $2,500

Graduation Matters Columbia Falls will continue student voice activities, at-risk student intervention and support, and connection to school/attendance awareness.

— Kalispell: $3,000

Graduation Matters Kalispell will coordinate Attendance Matters in all schools, I Pledge to Graduate ceremonies, and credit recovery.

— Libby: $2,500

Graduation Matters Libby will use the funding to decrease the numbers of credit deficient students, attendance awareness, and increasing enrollment in post-secondary education.

— Polson: $3,500

Graduation Matters Polson will use the funding for school climate efforts, student learning, and time and support structures.