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Great Falls Public Schools is located in Great Falls, Montana.
The small city of Great Falls is geographically located in the middle of Montana on the Missouri River. It is best known for the Lewis and Clark expedition's portage around the Falls and for the western artist Charles M. Russell. Great Falls School District is one of the seven largest school districts in the state, with an enrollment of 10,250 students, and is surrounded by grazing land for cattle and dry land farming. It has two Indian Reservations close by, Rocky Boy and Blackfeet Nations, and is the home of the Little Shell Chippewa, a landless Indian tribe. An Air Force Base, Malmstrom AFB, is located in Great Falls, and is a frequent source of English Language Learners.
Great Falls Public Schools is a district comprised of one preschool, fifteen elementary schools, two middle schools, two traditional high schools and one alternative high school. Twelve of these schools are Title I School Wide schools, meeting the threshold of at least 40% free and reduced lunch. The largest minority is American Indian, at approximately 13%. English Language Learners comprise 2.5% of the district (2.2% are Limited English Proficient American Indian, .25% are English as a Second Language). Great Falls Public Schools has received Title III Funding since 2007, which provides a limited funding source to meet the needs of English Language Learners as they master academic English.
Great Falls Public Schools is in the process of establishing how to best meet the needs of English Language Learners, both Limited English Proficient and English as a Second Language students. The district uses a Home Language Survey that is completed at registration. It has established a framework that alerts staff to the needs of all English Language Learners. English Language Learners who have a language other than English are supported by tutors when needed. Classroom teachers are supported by a Teacher on Special Assignment who is knowledgeable in meeting the needs of English Language Learners. For more information please call 406-268-6779.