‘ I am 100% thrilled to be here’: New interim head of schools to lead the way
By Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER
Autumn doesn’t officially start until Sept. 22, but pumpkin spice drinks are back, Target’s Halloween section is overflowing with ghouls and more importantly, the kids are going back to school. Julie Edwards doesn’t lament the end to summer days. As Big Sky Discovery Academy’s new interim head of the schools, early September is a return to a lively routine.
“The building is so much of a better place when it’s filled with little footsteps and voices of joy and laughter and learning,” Edwards said. In the empty school building in Big Sky Town Center on Aug. 27, EBS met with Edwards and Beth Marlington, the head of school who will be out on maternity leave soon. They noted this school year comes with renewed focus on younger kids, ages two to fifth grade.
Big Sky Discovery Academy teaches with a Montessori curriculum, which focuses on meeting students where they are in their learning, and emphasizes hands-on approaches and independence. All of the teachers are capable in Montessori instruction, Marlington noted, but two teachers will receive full training this year through the North American Montessori Center. Her goal is to have each staff member trained to continually improve and introduce new ideas about the education offered at the school.
“It’s a very comprehensive curriculum that has the goal of really honoring the child’s development and helping them develop skills for confidence and independence,” Marlington said. She noted that students who don’t thrive in traditional classroom settings benefit from this style of learning.
It’s a year of transition for the academy, which made the difficult decision to close its middle and high schools in March 2026 citing rising operational costs and declining enrollment. That change still weighs on Marlington, who has stayed in touch with families and offered support to students who transferred schools.
“It was hard for me personally, to send the middle schoolers and high schoolers off on their own … It was very emotional when we first broke the news, but I think at this point, the students are kind of finding their way, and the families know that we’re still here for them if they need anything,” Marlington said. She shifted to the school’s ability to expand functionally and logistically by focusing on the younger ages.
“We can really think about what those younger kids need and how best to support them in their learning,” Marlington said. Edwards added that she’s heard from teachers that they can refine their skills in Montessori instruction to better serve students.
The school continues its popular two-year-old program that started in the 2025-26 school year. Last year, 10 kids were enrolled in the two-year-old program and Big Sky Discovery Academy expects the same numbers, or more, this year. In total, 32 kids will start school at the academy on Sept. 8.
During the school year, all students receive a variation of winter sports education. Marlington explained that it’s beneficial for kids to feel more confident in winter sports.
“[It’s] a great way to get our kids outside and enjoying the winter experience in a place where winter is a huge part of our lives,” Marlington said. Separately, a majority of students partake in a ski academy program, which starts in the elementary grades and combines classroom learning with ski training. Twice a week, ski academy students are transported to Big Sky Resort for on-the-hill training, and outside of winter, they train at Moving Mountains gym.
“The students loved it,” Marlington said. “They were really excited about it.”
Marlington was sure to emphasize her appreciation for support and donations from the community.
“ We are always grateful for community support from our funders, including Resort Tax, from the community foundations, and we’re especially grateful for the support from Lone Mountain Land Company and Matt Kidd. Their contributions are helping to strengthen educational opportunities for local students and families, reinforcing the importance of investing in the long-term success of the Big Sky community,” she said.
After Marlington returns from maternity leave, Edwards will serve as the head of advancement. Formerly the education director for the Arts Council of Big Sky, Edwards brings years of teaching, coordination and also experience leading Big Sky Discovery Academy’s summer camps to the role. Marlington noted it’s a way to sustainably lead the academy moving forward and become more involved in the community. Edwards agreed.
“I am 100% thrilled to be here,” she said. “ I’m absolutely excited about the head of advancement role and getting Discovery out there into the community, and the community really getting to know Discovery as the true Montessori school that it is … and that we do look at [students] as individuals and serve them as individuals.”
