Families choose OptOut because it provides students with a consistent, nurturing, informed environment in which their needs are met, they are deeply understood. Students are held to a high standard while given space to work through social, emotional, and academic challenges.

Families who value lifelong learning, time spent outdoors, community engagement and failure as a form of growth are happy here.

The research is clear: strong school community is the foundation of student success. When students feel safe, engaged, connected, and supported, they are more motivated to learn and better equipped to reach their full potential. By fostering meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging, schools have the power to create the conditions where every child can blossom—academically, socially, and emotionally.

Beyond our school community, the school thrives on collaboration with families, local farms, and Bozeman’s small business community. Parents volunteer as mentors, community experts visit to share their craft, and students regularly take part in service projects that strengthen their sense of belonging and purpose. Through these real-world connections, learning becomes meaningful and memorable.

We begin mornings outside, waking up our brains and connecting with our classmates. At Morning Meeting, we engage in a socratic discussion - sometimes these are inspired by our current learnings or are centered around personal/social development topics such as building integrity or how to solve interpersonal problems. We then move on to ‘Core Skills’ time, a series of short work periods and brain breaks that allow students to focus on individualized math, reading and writing goals. Small groups are used to deliver targeted instruction and are based on ability rather than age.

Next, comes studio maintenance. Students are expected to fully take care of their learning space. After lunch (which is outside whenever possible) it’s time for ‘Connection’. Sometimes this means engaging with local experts, spending time in nature or exploring out in the community. This time allows space for students to ‘connect’ their in-class learning to the real world.

If all goes well and no time is wasted, we end our days outside at Elk Grove Park. We believe there is no ‘bad weather’, just bad gear. School days run from 8:30am-3:30pm Monday-Thursday, 8:30am-12:00pm on Fridays.

Because each child learns and matures at their own pace, we organize students by grade bands to give a bit more grace and space. While teachers are teaching to and tracking traditional grade levels, students refer to each other as “Huckleberries, Juniper Berries or Elderberries” rather than by age or grade, helping them keep an open mind in a multi-age setting.

K-1st: Huckleberries

2nd-3rd: Juniper Berries

4th-5th: Elderberries

We plan our year seasonally, taking advantage of what Fall, Winter and Spring can offer. We work with several professionals on a trimester basis including a music therapist and an art educator and partner with HybridMotion so we have a safe space to bounce around while the weather is chilly.

Each year we partner with Missoula Children’s Theatre to give students experience in performing arts and Crosscut for their nordic skiing and ecology programming. We also partner with local businesses, galleries, museums and nonprofits who have programs built for students to give them a wide range of experiential learning.

Students are introduced to Spanish in primary grades and delve into Greek & Latin studies as they progress to upper elementary grades.

Educators at OptOut are formally trained teachers who have the freedom to collaborate and infuse lessons with enriching activity, adjust pacing as needed and utilize a variety of resources rather than being tied to a mandated daily curriculum. We take pride not in reinventing the wheel, but delivering quality instruction free of bureaucratic issues.

Students will meet or exceed state (Common Core) learning standards, the 1,080 mandated hours of class time, and complete nationally normed MAP progress monitoring each trimester to ensure that the transition in & out of other school settings is as smooth as possible.

Conferences take place once per trimester and additionally as needed. We are happy to collaborate with other supportive parties in your child’s life such as tutors, specialists or therapists.

OptOut is committed to a maximum 1:10 teacher to student ratio.

Opt Out does not have the resources required to service students with acute learning disabilities or behavioral challenges. We all abide by ‘Tribal Agreements’ or student-set standards for our behavior. Students who cannot consistently meet these standards are placed on a probationary contract or asked to leave. Psychological safety is too high a price to pay - we must all feel safe and supported for an intimate environment like ours to function in a healthy manner. We do not expect perfection, we expect consistent efforts to improve.

Currently, our Agreements read as such:

WE AGREE TO: 1) Bravely and honestly hold ourselves and others accountable. 2) Speak to and treat other beings with kindness and respect. 3) Contribute to the tribe’s success; be givers, not takers. 4) Avoid wasting time or resources. 5) Work hard (make academic progress), Play hard (with gratitude for special experiences & opportunities). 6) Be great sports!

Each fall and spring we host ‘family camp’ which is an opportunity for everyone in the learning community (students, parents, grandparents, and staff) to get to know one another in a setting that underscores place-based and outdoor learning. Huckleberry students are required to have an adult accompany them while Juniper Berry and Elderberry students may attend solo.

Juniper Berry students are gaining independence and practice for future overnight trips with a camp out close to home.

Elderberry students are invited to travel overnight to more remote locations (usually a national park) without parents present.

All travel is student fundraised through our annual wreath fundraiser in November.

Tap to see 2025-2026 School Calendar

OptOut is a great environment for students who are naturally curious, crave independence and enjoy movement. Our multi-age classroom offers a broader range of developmental stages allowing ‘more space for your pace’. Many students who were stressed or lost in the shuffle of larger settings find their voice, their balance, and their stride here.

Of course, you never know until you try! After touring, your student will be invited to visit for the day so all parties can better sense: Is this the right fit?