Vision, Mission & History

      Our Vision

Enriching and life enhancing experiences to be available to all students.

          Our Mission

The Keystone Program introduces students to new techniques and ideas while building on the knowledge they already have.  We provide students with a safe, nurturing environment during those critical hours after school, while encouraging their families to become more involved in their education.  We offer at least 16 different activities a week allowing our participants the opportunity to demonstrate their strengths while building confidence in new skills.  From fly fishing to archery, theater to architecture, Keystone offers a wide range of engaging activities by quality instructors.

         Our History                                                         

In 2004, the Hamilton School District was the recipient of a five-year renewable 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant through the Department of Education.  This grant has allowed for the creation of the Keystone to Discovery Enrichment Program.  We are now in our 6th year of operation and now have 60% of the funding that we have had in the previous years.

        Who Do We Serve?  

From recent immigrants who share their language and culture, to multigenerational Bitterrooters, students at   Keystone learn to come together and respect and appreciate each others' differences.  Keystone's programs are available to all children in the Hamilton School District, regardless of family income.  Over half of our participating families qualify for the free and reduced lunch program, and no child is turned away due to inability to pay.  We serve an average of 300 students per year with the after school and summer program.  Of those, over 55% qualify for free or reduced lunches because of low income levels.  In the past year we have seen an increase in the number of families who have needed to apply for scholarships in addition to the sliding scale.

•  72% of Montana's elementary school students live in working parent households (Kids Count, 2003)
• 60% of parents say they missed less work when their child was in an after school program (Policy Studies Associates, 2001)
• Nearly three fourths (72.1) of Montana families of children ages 6 to 17 have both parents working outside the home, and only 1 in 5 Montana children ages 6 to 12 with working parents attend after school programs.
• Over 18% of Montana children ages 5 to 17 live in poverty, and 26% of Montana's children live in single-parent families.
• 24% of Montana children are responsible for taking care of themselves during the hours after school