About Us

Since 1987, Liberty Elementary School District #10 has been committed to providing high-quality K-8 education. Governed by a locally elected Board of Trustees, we uphold the highest standards of academic excellence and compliance with state and federal regulations. Our certified educators and supportive staff create a nurturing, safe, and culturally rich environment. With a curriculum aligned to Montana and national standards, we ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed and achieve their full potential. Join us in fostering a legacy of learning and growth.

Three (3) member Board of Trustees

David Hofer, Chair
Elias Hofer, Vice Chair
Nathan Hofer

SCHOOL RESOURCES

FAQ'S

Liberty Elementary School District #10 – Operational Structure

The Liberty Elementary School Public District has been in continuous operation since its founding in 1987.
The Liberty Elementary School District is a K-8 educational system which utilizes an organizational structure incorporating Governance of all School District matters under the direction of the locally elected Board of Trustees which maintains compliance with district policy, and state and federal requirements.
The Board of Trustees provides oversight and guidance related to a variety of educational services delivered to District students in accordance with State law, District policy and best professional practice models.
In conjunction with the responsibilities of the Board, management and administrative services are provided by the Liberty District Administrative team including the district Superintendent of Schools.
In addition to the Board and the district Superintendent, the district also employs a fulltime business manager who also acts as the Board Clerk and is part of the administrative team, as well as experienced, independent educational consultants who advise the Board on a variety of educational, and operational issues.
Classroom Instruction includes Kindergarten through grade eight educational and instructional services that are provided to students at the Eagle Creek Colony school site.
Certified, licensed and endorsed classroom teachers are employed by the Board as professional educators in the district elementary classrooms.
Supporting the classroom teacher are trained classified staff who assist with the day-to-day needs of the students, and who, along with the classroom teacher, work to promote greater understanding, retention and completion of the instructional curriculum adopted by the district.
The district maintains a well-defined instructional curriculum which is in alignment with the standards and practices outlined by the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and the Board of Public Education (BPE).
The Board of Trustees is also responsible for approving and administering the annual operational budget as calculated by the OPI in relation to the annual student enrollment within the district.
Student enrollment numbers, as reflected in the Annual Number Belonging (ANB) calculations, make up the basis of the general funding and annual operating budget for the district.
Under the operational plan, the district, through formal agreements with the colony community who provide the physical built space for the colony school, and who also provide at no additional expense to the district, critical infrastructure support in the form of building custodial services, grounds keeping, routine maintenance/repairs, and security, all while guaranteeing regular and consistent access to each school building and associated classrooms.

Curriculum, Classroom Instruction and Student Achievement

Liberty Elementary School District has adopted an educational curriculum which is aligned to both State of Montana and national standards.
Classroom instruction in all associated subjects, grade levels and student performance measures are in accordance with the recently approved federal and state Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Teaching across the curriculum in the classroom requires certified staff who have a demonstrated ability to teach and facilitate learning by students from several grade levels (K-8) simultaneously, and in many instances, within the same physical space while addressing the specific educational needs of individual students.
Students enrolled in the district are provided an opportunity to study and learn in a classroom environment which is familiar, secure, safe and academically and culturally appropriate.
Within the context of student achievement and measurement, all students, regardless of grade level, participate in academic instruction and programs which is geared toward promoting intellectual mastery of recognized concepts, skills and information.
Unlike many public education classrooms within comparable size schools and districts, the instructional staff at Liberty Elementary School District are afforded an opportunity to focus almost entirely on instruction, teaching and learning as opposed to excessive time spent on classroom management and corrective actions aimed at improving disruptive student behavior.
A review of annual student achievement and performance measures as determined by a variety of federal and state standardized testing procedures, at all grade levels and across all schools indicate that students enrolled at Liberty Elementary School District continue to rank at or above state and federal standards within each of the fields of academic performance.
As reflected on the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) annual Accreditation Status Report as compiled and reported to the Board, teachers and parents, as reflected in the “System Level Summary”, Student Performance Standards (SBAC) remain consistently at the “Regular” levels (greater than 15% proficient). Despite the challenges presented by managing the scope of educational services that are delivered to the comparatively small student population within the District, along with the rural location of the remote classroom sites, annual budget allocations and related expenditures indicate that under the guidance of the Board of Trustees, district Superintendent, and administrative team the Liberty Elementary School District continues to demonstrate responsible appropriation and accountability for the public finances entrusted to the district in ensuring that students receive continued equitable access to a variety of high quality learning opportunities.

Academic Collaboration and Cross-Cultural Instructional Partnerships

In conjunction with the standard educational curriculum provided by the public education system, students attending Liberty Elementary School District are also dually enrolled in a traditional “German School” curriculum which, although independent from the conventional public instruction model, acts as an academic, and social-emotional compliment to and extension of the state and federal curriculum.
As the entire enrollment of the district qualifies categorically as English Language Learners (ELL) or English as a Second Language (ESL) students, exposure to concepts, ideas and information which has been translated from their primary language (German), assists students in connecting vocabulary, mathematical formulas, grammar, and related cross-cultural knowledge through their bi-lingual education.
Instruction in the German school curriculum is the sole responsibility of the colony community who selects, manages and supports the position of a German language and culture instructor.
Collaboration between the public school certified and classified support staff with the German school instructor in sharing curricular resources and materials provides a vital link to connecting student progress, growth and mastery of the instructional concepts being taught in each area, while reinforcing the awareness and understanding of all classroom teachers of each individual student’s strengths and weaknesses.
Taking advantage of the guidance provided for in Montana’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) model, Local Education Associations (LEAs) like the Liberty Elementary School District may also offer ELL or ESL programs that include grade-level content instruction in the student’s primary language.