Nonprofit Big Sky school will continue with pre-K through fifth grade instruction
By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
On Monday, March 23, Big Sky Discovery Academy made a difficult announcement to parents, teachers and students. Based on financial challenges associated with declining enrollment and rising operational costs, the school will no longer offer middle and high school education after the completion of the current school year.
“I’m absolutely heartbroken to make this announcement because these students are so important to the fabric of our community,” Beth Marlington, head of school, said in an interview with EBS. “And I personally have spent so much time working with them, and teaching them, and learning from them. It really hurts my heart to have to put them out there in the world before we were ready to do that. And I hope that they can find ways to thrive in the community without us, and I will help guide them as best I can in the transition.”
Sam Geppert, chair of Discovery’s board, echoed “heartbreak” in describing the decision.
“It’s the hardest decision that we as a board have ever had to make,” Geppert said. “It’s just hard to see these kids have to find something different, when they were doing so well here.”
When families were notified in a meeting Monday, Geppert said the news was received about as well as it could have been. Families were sad, shocked and generally unhappy, but also understood the decision and tried to offer solutions.
The school believes it can and should continue providing a high level of in-person instruction, and the change aims to ensure the school is not forced to lower those standards. High school instruction requires more teachers per student, with a higher level of subject specialization than needed for younger age groups, Marlington explained. The school can now focus its resources and energy toward younger students, aged two years old to fifth grade, which accounts for roughly two-thirds of the school’s programming—of 60 students currently enrolled across all ages, only 13 kids will be impacted immediately after this school year.
Still, Marlington said it’s painful because those 13 students are very important.
In a letter to families, Marlington wrote that the new direction positions Discovery Academy to ensure long-term sustainability and continue offering excellent programs.
“I think we do a really great job of working with those age groups, and it’s something I’m glad we’ll be able to keep providing for the community,” Marlington said, noting the Montessori-style curriculum is helpful to support many young students’ energy and excitement for learning.
Geppert and Marlington say Discovery’s decline in enrollment is not a reflection of quality of programs, or impacted by the recent opening of Big Sky Community School, another nonprofit learning center. Rather, administrators say many families have left the community in the post-COVID years, creating financial challenges for educators across Big Sky, including the Big Sky School District.
With fewer students than the COVID-era peak, operating older grade levels became financially unsustainable.
Marlington also pointed out that Discovery has a reputation for enrolling especially wealthy or high-profile families, but countered that some of those specific families have not been enrolled for multiple years. Now, half of students are on tuition assistance, she said, and the school’s pre-K program is funded with grants from Resort Tax, Spanish Peaks Community Foundation and Lone Mountain Land Company.
Overall, Geppert and Marlington emphasized the importance of Discovery offering alternatives to local families whose children need social or academic support, whether they’re at risk of falling behind in school or in need of additional challenges.
In the years ahead, Marlington said the school will look for opportunities to rebuild its middle and high school classes, and if possible, will do so “organically,” one year at a time as existing students grow. Marlington said Discovery has a “clear vision” of accomplishing that goal, and noted that Discovery is now actively seeking support from the community to make it possible.
“Whether through financial contributions, strategic guidance, or collaborative partnerships, we welcome those who believe in our mission to join us in strengthening our school today and helping shape its future,” Marlington stated in a follow-up email. “Or if you want to learn more about our mission, we are open to conversation and connection.”
