College math classes to be offered at Bigfork High School
In 2015 Bigfork students could graduate high school with 13 college credits, without ever leaving campus.
The school is expanding its Running Start partnership with Flathead Valley Community College by offering two college level math courses at the high school.
As of the 2013-14 school year there were six possible college credits available to students at Bigfork High School, WRIT 101, and GIS 270, both for three credits. The new additions MATH 115, for three credits and STAT 216 for four credits, were proposed to the board of trustees on April 30, and approved.
Dan Paine, a BHS parent, and FVCC faculty member was instrumental in bringing this opportunity to Bigfork.
The college has similar successful programs with St. Ignatius, Columbia Falls, and Flathead High Schools, so Paine proposed the idea to BHS principal Matt Porrovecchio and FVCC. Both were enthusiastic about the idea.
“If there’s an opportunity to provide something for our students, we’re going to look into it,” said Porrovecchio.
“It’s really a win, win, win situation,” said Paine. Students don’t have to travel to get college credit, they get those credits at a lower cost, and the college increases it’s enrollment numbers.
Through the Running Start program, high school students can take six college credits for free. Any further credits they choose to earn are discounted, at $49.30 per credit hour. One credit hour through regular FVCC in-district enrollment is $98.60.
To be certified to teach these courses, the instructor must have a master’s degree. Currently, none of the Bigfork math teachers are qualified, though they are working on it. In the interim, Paine will teach the courses.
“I’m trying to be the two year bridge for them,” he said.
The classes will be offered back to back, MATH 115 in the fall, and STAT 216 in the spring.
Both classes are common college requirements for various fields of study. MATH 115, or linear math, is typically the first 100 level math course available for students to fulfill their basic math requirement. Paine said 26 fields of study offered at FVCC require STAT 216, which is an introduction to statistics.
The high school is in the process of acquiring textbooks and other necessary resources that students would normally have to buy.
“I’m pretty happy we can do these kinds of things,” said Paine. “I’m looking forward to it, I totally am. I’m looking forward to working with the Bigfork kids.”