COMMITMENT TO PLACE

The landscape and people of the Missoula Valley are integral to CFP’s educational vision. In addition to Missoula’s beautiful mountains and rivers, we also recognize the value of this community’s local expertise–the researchers and poets, the non-profits and local businesses–that reside here too. CFP students connect to their community through their core classes, weekly Explorations, Immersive blocks, and as part of their service learning.

Whether students are studying AP Environmental Science, learning Montana History, or mastering a new piece of music, CFP’s commitment to place is part of their educational experience. This might mean analyzing the native cutthroat trout populations, taking a field trip to Fort Missoula, or working with a local musician from the University of Montana. No matter the discipline, CFP’s focus on place-based education helps students understand material in new and meaningful ways.

In our weekly Explorations classes, students have opportunities to learn from community experts. During CFP’s three-week Immersives, teachers and students take advantage of extra time to get outside the classroom and delve into experiential learning. And throughout the year, the Clark Fork Prep community grounds its traditions and events in Missoula’s landscape and culture.

Place-based education also provides the backbone for service learning at CFP. When students care about the place they live and the people they inhabit it with, they learn to be ethical citizens. By connecting with local mentors, teenagers can bring their enthusiasm and passion to worthwhile projects and make a real difference in their world.