Billings Public Schools has reported a decline in the percentage of high school students enrolling in Montana colleges. To address this challenge, the district has partnered with Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 50% of high school students from the district pursued higher education, but this figure has since dropped to around 29%. Contributing factors to this decline include increasing tuition costs, inflation, and a rise in available career opportunities.
Partnership for College Accessibility
In light of these challenges, Billings Public Schools has signed a memorandum of understanding with Concordia College aimed at enhancing college accessibility for students, particularly those who may not view college as a realistic option. The collaboration is particularly focused on students at the newly established Billings Opportunity School, providing them with college counseling and a financial commitment known as “The Concordia Promise.” This initiative offers to waive tuition for students from households with an adjusted gross income of less than $90,000 upon acceptance to Concordia College.
Degree Completion Commitment
The partnership also strives to ensure that all students at Concordia College complete their degrees within four years. If a student does not fulfill this requirement, the college will cover the costs for a fifth year.
Focus on Underrepresented Students
Erwin Garcia, Superintendent of Billings Public Schools, noted that reaching out to students living in poverty and those who might not have previously considered higher education were critical factors in the development of this partnership. The Billings Opportunity School is part of a larger initiative toward expanding public charter schools in Montana, which has seen support from lawmakers interested in broadening educational options while keeping public funding intact.
Personalized Career Counseling
Colin Irvine, President of Concordia College, affirmed the college’s commitment to providing personalized career counseling. This assistance is designed to help students and their families navigate the complexities of college applications and financial aid. Garcia emphasized the partnership’s role in reshaping perceptions around college access, especially for families focused on immediate financial stability who may lack the means to consider higher education.
Origins of the Partnership
The collaboration emerged from a college recruitment visit by Irvine, which sparked discussions about potential partnership opportunities. This endeavor not only aims to increase college enrollment rates from Billings Public Schools but also strives to strengthen Concordia College’s connections to Eastern Montana, a region with historical alumni ties.
Engagement with Local Institutions
In addition to this partnership with Concordia College, Superintendent Garcia is actively engaging with local higher education institutions, including Rocky Mountain College and Montana State University-Billings. These efforts are focused on enhancing dual-credit enrollment opportunities and encouraging students to adopt a mindset that emphasizes the possibility and importance of attending college.
First-Generation College Student Perspectives
Jennifer Owen, a member of the Billings City Council and a Concordia alumna, reflected on her own experiences as a first-generation college student, highlighting the college’s mission and the opportunities it created for her.
Student Success Stories
Miranda Velasquez, a student at Billings Opportunity School, described the positive impact of the individualized education environment on her life and expressed a desire to become a psychiatric nurse, inspired by the support and guidance provided by the program.
Transforming Perceptions of Higher Education
According to Bo Bruinsma, the career outreach director for the school district, the main objective of these initiatives is to transform students’ perceptions of higher education by helping them view college as an attainable goal.
(Source: Daily Montanan)