Sprint Program – CORE School in Great Falls
Creation of teachers | Opportunities for students | Respect our unique community | Educational excellence
The University of Montana Western is proud to implement the Sprint Program for Elementary Education in partnership with Great Falls Public Schools (GFPS). Awarded grant funding through the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE), this program compacts a 4-year degree into a 9-semester sequence, which includes summers. Students take their general education courses through UMW and will complete their teaching program through UMW.
The Sprint Program’s original home is The CORE School at Morningside Elementary in Great Falls. Through this innovative public charter school, UMW students work full time as paraprofessionals at the school while they take their UMW classes primarily on-site, which are taught by K-6 classroom teachers who serve as UMW adjunct instructors. This unique model allows UMW students to see connections between their coursework and real classrooms, as they gain valuable experience in the field.
Students in the program spend their third and final year participating in the Montana Teacher Residency. This culminating experience will provide students with an immersive, paid, full-year experience in a single classroom.
The Sprint Program is expanding a site based in Lewistown and serving rural Central Montana. UMW students will take their classes at night, taught by experienced local teachers, while working in schools during the day. More details to come.
Who’s Who:
Support Personnel
Marni Napierala
Program Coordinator and Onsite Mentor, Great Falls Core School
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 406-799-3534
Marni is a retired teacher with 29 years in Great Falls Public Schools, served as adjunct faculty at MSU–Northern for 22 years, and spent four years as an education coordinator in Great Falls for MSUN. She is a fierce advocate for supporting new teachers to ensure the success of K–12 learners.
Katrina Kennett
Associate Professor of Education, University of Montana Western
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 406-683-7043
Katrina is the grant lead and on campus faculty coordinator. She is also 2025-2026 Montana University System Teaching Scholar.
News:
- Built from scratch, Great Falls school brings a college degree program to an elementary setting
- UMW Announces Sprint Program Partnership with Great Falls College & Public Schools
- New Elementary Education Sprint Program to be Offered by UM Western (NBC Montana)
- Montana School Districts Weigh Public Charter Proposals (MTFP)
- GFPS Approves Plan for New Public Charter School (The Electric)
- CORE School at Morningside reflects on first year
FAQs
View frequently asked questions about the CORE school.