Welcome to the Montana Virtual School
We offer online coursework at the high school level that honors our earth's cultural diversity. We combine indigenous pedagogies with modern technologies to create learning opportunities where students may learn from their Elders as they earn credit toward graduation. Our courses use the internet to connect students to certified teachers who can guide the learning process to align with cultural, state and national standards. Students may transfer credits earned with Abaetern to other institutions or they can graduate with us.
Our Vision Accreditation
Student Population
Mastery Learning
Earning a High School Diploma
How to Begin
The Name 'Abaetern'
The word abaetern means "before antiquity." This invokes the idea that even before recorded history, our ancestors craved knowledge and understanding in order to enjoy healthy relationships with their environment and each other. The name 'Abaetern' symbolizes that education is a natural process fundamental to the human experience.
Abaetern's courses use the internet as a tool to bring outstanding teachers and resources to students. Each student, regardless of geographical location, may now gain access to the future he or she desires. Growing up in a rural setting is no longer a barrier to reaching one's dreams!
Abaetern Academy has created an efficient, yet personalized, learning environment: our teachers are facilitators, not lecturers. The students' own interests guide their activities as our state certified teachers facilitate the growth of concepts and skills in alignment with national, state, and cultural education standards. This type of supportive environment ignites the ember of our students' natural curiosity, resulting in their rediscovery of the joy of learning."The achievement of learning is to come to know oneself, to realize the unique talents inherent in our being, to comprehend our role in the greater community, and to become empowered to transform ourselves and our world." --Ivy Merriot, School Director
Abaetern's Vision
Abaetern visualizes a time when all rural youth have equal access to the career of their choice by having equal access to the education that builds that dream into reality.
To this end, Abaetern makes available an efficient and personable learning environment for each student. The power of online technology is focused to simplify, not complicate, the act of learning. This enables the student to grow at a rate that is challenging but not overwhelming.
The foundation of course instruction is the adherence to Mastery Learning. Students revise their assignments, guided by their teacher, until they master the skills and content knowledge of that particular assignment. The revisions are done in a cyclical manner where a student may still be revising week one lessons while starting week three.
Student Population
Public, private and home school students use Abaetern's online courses. Students who are looking for alternative education options, such as gifted, advanced, and at-risk students, find that online courses require them to stay actively engaged. College bound students take our courses to acquire the competitive edge for college admissions by showing their ability to succeed in advanced confidence-based learning environments.
Our current courses, developed for the CAIRN (Coursework for American Indian and Rural Nascent) project, are unique in that they integrate cultural themes and content into every subject area. These courses are available to the general public as well as rural and Native American students under a grant through the Federal Department of Innovation in Education. To gain information about scholarships, please call our school office at 406-920-1778.
The duration of each individual course is nine weeks, but courses often combine to make an entire year of a similar topic, such as in the case of math, astronomy, communication arts, and foreign language. For a catalog of current courses, choose the link on the left sidebar.
Earning Your Diploma
Students may earn their high school diploma entirely online. This does not mean all their learning is computer-based. To graduate from Abaetern, students must complete a senior final project and be involved in on-going community activities.
The final project demonstrates the student's knowledge and skills in all academic subjects. This is an active project of their own choosing, guided by Abaetern mentors and teachers.
Abaetern Academy is seeking distance learning provider status through the Montana Office of Public Instruction.
We currently hold to standards meeting and exceeding those listed in the Administration Rules of Montana 10.55.907 for distance, online and technology delivered learning. Our dedication to Mastery Learning sets our self-imposed standards beyond the criteria set as a minimum for distance education by the state. Our lead teachers are certified by the State of Montana and oversee the development of all courses and curricula. Our courses align with national, state, cultural and local standards for content and pedagogy where applicable.School counselors and parents are encouraged to call or email us with any questions or concerns about our accreditation status and what this means to the student when applying to college or transferring credits to other institutions. Contact Info.
In a mastery learning approach, a student does not receive a grade until they have achieved a mastery level of understanding. Until then, the teacher creates projects which involve a continual feedback interaction between teacher and student until the desired degree of mastery is achieved. Students may be revising the second week's assignment at the same time they are beginning the sixth week's assignment. All assignments must be revised to an 'A' level before the quarter grade is awarded.
In this model of education, the student leaves one course fully prepared for the next course. Students quickly learn that it is to their advantage to do their best on each task because lack of effort only results in more work revising the same assignment.Students enjoy the dedicated attention of their teacher's one-on-one guidance. They thrive in an environment where they have the opportunity to work out misconceptions and increase understanding.
This model of learning best prepares students for the adult world. Mastery learning takes courage as we continually improve our skills and knowledge to achieve our goals. More on Mastery Learning
View the course catalog by clicking on the link to the left. Choose the "Contact Us" link to request courses. Classes cost $220 per nine-week course. Discounts are available for enrolling more than five students from one site. Full and partial scholarships are often available. Ask about your options at our business office: 406-920-1778.
Abaetern Academy honors and admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.