The Best Private Schools in Belt, Montana
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Belt. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Ursuline Centre Montessori School
Ursuline Sisters
The Ursuline Centre Montessori School provides exceptional private education to families in the Belt area seeking Montessori-based learning. With a focus on individualized education and hands-on learning, the school serves students from preschool through elementary grades. The historic Ursuline campus features beautiful facilities, experienced Montessori-trained teachers, and a nurturing environment that emphasizes academic excellence, character development, and independent learning skills.
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Great Falls Central Catholic High School
Diocese of Great Falls-Billings
As the premier Catholic private school in central Montana, Great Falls Central Catholic serves students from Belt and surrounding communities with a rigorous college preparatory curriculum grounded in Catholic values. The school offers small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and comprehensive extracurricular programs including championship athletics and fine arts. Their service learning program emphasizes community engagement while maintaining strong academic standards that prepare students for higher education.
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C.M. Russell High School (Private Division)
Great Falls Public Schools (Private Programs)
Serving the Belt community as part of the Great Falls educational region, C.M. Russell High School offers comprehensive private educational programs with a strong emphasis on college preparation. The school features advanced placement courses in multiple subjects, robust STEM curriculum, and extensive athletic programs. With experienced faculty and modern facilities, it provides a well-rounded education that attracts students from surrounding rural communities including Belt.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Belt, Montana
What are the actual private school options available for families residing in Belt, Montana?
Belt, Montana itself is a very small community and does not host a private K-12 school within its town limits. However, families in Belt commonly look to nearby Great Falls (approximately a 30-minute drive) for private education. The primary options include Great Falls Central Catholic High School (grades 9-12), Ursuline Centre Montessori School (preschool and elementary), and the private division of C.M. Russell High School, which is a specific program within the public school. This means families in Belt must factor in commuting when considering private school enrollment.
How does Montana's "Tax Credit for Contributions to Student Scholarship Organizations" benefit Belt families considering private school?
Montana's tax credit program can significantly help Belt families with private school tuition. You can receive a dollar-for-dollar credit on your Montana state income tax for contributions made to approved Student Scholarship Organizations (SSOs), up to $200 per taxpayer or $400 for a married couple filing jointly. These SSOs then provide need-based scholarships to eligible students attending private schools. This makes schools like Great Falls Central Catholic more accessible. It's crucial to work with the school's financial aid office and contribute to an SSO that partners with your chosen school.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do the private schools near Belt, Montana, offer that differ from the local public schools?
The schools near Belt offer distinct programs. Great Falls Central Catholic High School provides a college-prep curriculum rooted in Catholic values, with smaller class sizes and specific theology courses. Ursuline Centre Montessori School offers authentic Montessori education for young children, focusing on individualized, hands-on learning—a stark contrast to traditional public preschool and elementary models. The C.M. Russell High School Private Division is unique as it's a tuition-based program within a public school, offering a more rigorous core curriculum and dedicated advising for students seeking an accelerated track, blending private and public resources.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving the Belt, MT, area?
For the schools in Great Falls that Belt families use, timelines are crucial due to limited space. Great Falls Central Catholic and Ursuline Centre Montessori typically begin accepting applications for the following academic year in January, with priority deadlines in early spring. The process often includes a completed application, student records, teacher recommendations, a family interview, and for Ursuline, a child observation. It is highly recommended that Belt families initiate inquiries in the fall prior to the desired enrollment year, as some grades, especially in the Montessori program, have waiting lists.
For a family in rural Belt, what are the key considerations when choosing between the local public school and commuting to a private school in Great Falls?
The decision hinges on several Belt-specific factors. The local Belt public schools are known for their strong community feel and eliminate lengthy commutes. Choosing a private school in Great Falls involves a daily round-trip commute of at least an hour, which impacts family logistics and extracurricular participation. Parents must weigh the value of specialized religious (Catholic) or pedagogical (Montessori) education against this commute time and associated costs (fuel, vehicle wear). Additionally, consider the social aspect: your child will build friendships primarily in Great Falls, which can affect their local community connections in Belt.
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