Schools see rise in enrollment; Ruder Elementary a hit with students

Columbia Falls schools opened their doors Aug. 26 and the new remodeled wing and playground of Ruder Elementary School proved to be a hit.

The new addition includes 10 new classrooms, a new administration building, a multipurpose space and other amenities, such as a cafeteria that doubles as an auditorium, complete with a raised stage.

While the teachers were enjoying the new classrooms, the big hit with the kids was the new playground, which features a host of different climbing apparatuses and a couple of zip lines.

Youngsters James and Nathan Sullivan said they really liked the school. They had previously gone to Whitefish.

Youngster Gwendolynn Watkins was also impressed.

“It’s totally different,” she said. “I can’t believe there’s a stage in the music room. I’m thinking of signing up for the talent show.”

The school is also more secure as the office looks out over the parking lot and in order to get in, one must be buzzed into the entryway and then the school. With the remodel, it is now one contiguous building. The open space between the gym and the classrooms is no more.

The remodel is part of a voter-approved $37 million bond to revamp Ruder and build a new Glacier Gateway Elementary School. The Gateway project is underway and is expected to be completed by fall of 2022.

There’s still work to be done at Ruder. The old building will see new trusses and a roof as well as remodeled classrooms. That work will continue this year while school is in session. The construction site has been temporarily walled off.

Enrollment at Ruder is way up as well. Last year it had about 460 students. To start the year, it has about 530, principal Brenda Krueger said.

Due to the pandemic, all schools are still providing remote learning for families who request it. Masks are optional for students and staff. Most staff and students were not wearing masks at Ruder on opening day, but some were.

Ruder currently has 10 students enrolled in remote learning.

Other school enrollment was robust as well.

The junior high first day enrollment was 535 with 10 remote students; at the high school it was 676 with three remote students. The freshmen class was the largest, with 194 students. The remaining classes had about 160 students, give or take a couple either way.

At Glacier Gateway Elementary enrollment was 509, up from 486 the year before. Gateway has 12 remote-learning students.