Salish Swan High School principal highlights growth, high need and rising sports success
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Summary
Principal John Stilson told the Missoula County Public Schools board that Salish Swan High School has grown to about 90 students, has a high free-and-reduced lunch rate and rising extracurricular participation, including a 7-0 football season and national-level BPA participation.
Principal John Stilson, in his first year leading Salish Swan High School, told the Missoula County Public Schools Board of Trustees that enrollment has risen to about 90 students and the school serves a high-need population.
"That's the heartbeat of the school," Stilson said, describing a staff that includes "10 and a half certified staff" and a variety of support personnel. He said the freshman class is large (about 23–24 students) and that roughly 57% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Stilson emphasized the school's small size as a draw for some families, saying several students elect Salish Swan over larger neighborhood high schools because they feel more comfortable in a smaller community. He outlined extracurricular strengths: a BPA (Business Professionals of America) program that recently sent students to nationals, a nascent choir program in its second year and athletics, where he noted the football team was 7–0 and the school will host a playoff game.
Student Sam Good described hands-on learning in a marketing class that produced temporary tattoos and stickers for school fundraising. "We created temporary tattoos and stickers to sell," Good said, and reported students raised money through those sales. Teacher and BPA advisor Michelle Holmes was introduced by Stilson as the staff lead for marketing and BPA activities; Amy Stevenson was introduced as an instructional support partner.
The board received the presentation as part of its regular "school connection" agenda item. The presentation included demographic and program details but did not propose any board action.
Board announcements following the presentation included reminders about upcoming events and grant work: a bison harvest educational event at the AgCenter, a November 17 board retreat for strategic plan review, and a November 20 set of Board of Public Ed meetings hosted by the district. Superintendent Hill also told trustees the district plans to apply for a competitive phase-two transportation grant (phase one was completed; phase-two awards will be limited to five districts).