Mount Ascension preliminary registration request form: https://forms.office.com/r/w9KqHUSHZE
Mount Ascension Charter School offers a combination of online (at home) and in-person learning experiences (at the local public school) designed in collaboration with the school system to meet students’ individual needs in grades 6-12. If you are interested in online courses or hybrid attendance at our middle school or high school, please complete the preliminary registration request form above. After this form is submitted, you will be contacted by a Mount Ascension Learning Academy staff member!
For additional information about Mount Ascension Charter School, please contact Julie TeNyenhuis at jtenyenhuis@helenaschools.org or (406) 324-2204.
Out of District: If you live outside of the Helena Public Schools district boundaries, please fill out the required out-of-district paperwork at this link: https://helenaschools.org/registration-and-enrollment/
Explore School: If you are interested in grades 1 to 8 at Explore School, your next step is to contact Exploration Works. Find contact info and additional details here: https://www.explorationworks.org/explore-school
The district has transitioned its long-standing Montessori program to a charter school. This allows for the addition of a Montessori kindergarten class for the 2024-25 school year (The district’s pre-existing Montessori program offered grades 1-5 only).
Our Montessori program, with classrooms at Smith, Broadwater and Central Elementaries, is currently full for the 2024-25 school year, but information will be coming soon regarding registration for the 2025-26 Montessori lottery. You can learn more about this program at https://helenaschools.org/departments/montessori/
For additional information about the Montessori Charter School, please contact Kellie Boedecker at kboedecker@helenaschools.org or (406) 324-1123.
PAL High School Charter information can be found at https://pal.helenaschools.org/
For additional information about the PAL Charter School, please contact Matt Carey at mcarey1@helenaschools.org or (406) 324-1632.
Helena Public Schools is among districts across Montana opening charter schools under House Bill 549 passed by the 2023 Legislature.
The district hopes to continue to expand access to each of its charter schools in the coming years, dependent upon resources.
“We’re excited to offer these new learning opportunities for families,” said Superintendent Rex Weltz. “These programs offer flexibility for families and learning models that can be tailored to meet the needs of individual students.”
Thank you for your interest!