Big Sky School District #72 in Big Sky, Montana is a K-12 school district located just outside the Yellowstone National Park. Nestled in the mountains alongside the Gallatin River at the mouth of the Porcupine Creek drainage, the campus is a natural site for experiential learning. In addition to the wilderness, Big Sky is home to "The Biggest Skiing in America."
The Big Sky/Gallatin Canyon community is committed to providing students with a superior education. At Ophir/LPHS, reading, writing, mathematics and science are the core foundation. Academic rigor and student achievement are top priorities. The administration and faculty endeavor to create demanding and challenging interdisciplinary curriculum that develops the social/emotional, intellectual, physical, and creative capabilities of each student. In addition to a strong core, the arts and health enhancement are integral to the student experience. Music, theater art, and outdoor sports such as Nordic and Alpine Skiing, fly fishing, camping/hiking, kayaking, and orienteering enrich a student's experience beyond our walls.
The district is home to 225 students in grades K-12. Ophir has been in existence for over 100 years and has been well-known for experiential "place-based learning." A student's K-12 experience includes service learning, project-based learning, expeditions, and real world application. The district endeavors to instill within each student environmental stewardship and a love of learning.
Lone Peak High School began serving students in 2009. At LPHS a student experience is:
- Concrete, hands on, and student centered heavily integrated into the local surroundings.
- Connected with global topics.
- Authentic; students solve real-world challenges.
- Highly valued by the student and community.
- Focused on education for all.
- Reliant on students acting as participants in their own education.
- Enhanced and expanded by technology.
The LPHS integrated curriculum strives to prepare graduates who are creative, innovative, hard workers, risk-takers, empowered leaders, critical thinkers, stewards of the environment, life-long learners, and who possess a strong foundation to achieve their life goals.
Expedition Philosophy