Flathead County students have another avenue to obtain associate’s and bachelor's degrees close to home.

Billings-based Yellowstone Christian College (YCC) has opened a new learning center at 1605 Danielson Road, located west of Kalispell with an enrollment of more than 20 students. The location was the previous site of Summit Preparatory therapeutic boarding school, which closed in 2020 due to declining enrollment.

Facility amenities include dorms, a dining hall, gym, pool and other common areas.

“Within the upcoming year we intend to make this the main campus,” Jones said.

The 13-acre Billings campus, located at 1515 S. Shiloh Road, is listed for sale at $5,650,000. The Billings site currently serves about 30 students, Jones said.

Established in 1974 with a foundation in Baptist teachings, the private Christian liberal arts school is accredited through the Association of Biblical Higher Education. YCC offers degrees in Christian leadership, music and worship, psychology, business, sports management and exercise science.

“We offer the same courses as other colleges but with a distinctive biblical worldview,” YCC President Marvin Jones said during an interview with the Inter Lake. “A liberal arts degree from Yellowstone Christian College demonstrates one can have an integration of faith and learning.”

Between the two campuses, faculty encompasses five full-time professors and 10 adjunct professors.

Building conditions, amenities and property size played a significant role in discussing the college’s future. After looking at what it would cost to renovate existing facilities, the college was looking at what could be accomplished by purchasing another property and constructing new buildings when the 563-acre Summit Preparatory property came up for sale.

“A friend notified us that Summit Preparatory was only $7 million for a full campus,” Jones said, noting that it could take up to 50 years to build new facilities.

“This really does move us ahead on a timeframe,” he said.

“The move to the new campus allows YCC to improve and expand our faculty and staff, and our academic opportunities,” Jones stated in a Sept. 1 press release. “I, and the Board of Directors, believe that the move to the new campus is the will of God. He led us to the campus in Kalispell. That is a conviction that is shared by all involved. Since we have a working relationship with the Montana Southern Baptist Convention, we seek to work with them to impact the world through Christian higher education in Kalispell.”

RILEY PETTY is in her third year at YCC and is continuing her studies at the new campus.

“I’m about to finish my associates for business and I’m also pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Christian Leadership,” Petty said.

Originally from Iowa, Petty said she heard about YCC through her church pastor, who had a friend graduate from the college.

“I’ve decided to make my faith the center of my life, in my work and my education and be able to help other people do the same,” she said about the choice to attend a Christian college.

What appealed to her in addition to the biblical-based education, was the size of the college.

“It’s a smaller college than a lot of the bigger Christian colleges I had heard of. It seemed to be a place where I’d be able to get to know the teachers and fellow students,” she said.

Petty, who is employed in the college’s work-study program, said she enjoys the upgraded facilities and lush landscape of Northwest Montana.

“The great thing is how close we are to Glacier. The college is about 20 minutes from town — just far enough to enjoy the nature aspect of being out here.”

After finishing school, Petty wants to continue working at the college to help further its mission.

“I think moving here is going to open a lot more doors for students to come and learn. I think it’s awesome to be part of that and helping people grow,” Petty said.

The college also has formed an articulation agreement with Little Big Horn College, a public community college on the Crow Indian Reservation, to create a seamless process for transfer students.

Jones, who started working at YCC in December 2020, voiced his gratitude to the people who made the additions and changes possible.

“Although I’ve been here less than a year, I have been privileged to work with the finest Southern Baptists anywhere, whose burden for enriching the Church and for evangelizing the world finds fruition, in part, through the efforts of Yellowstone Christian College. My thanks to you all who support us through the Cooperative Program, individual gifts, and with prayers to the God we all serve.”

For more information call 406-758-8100 or email info@yellowstonechristian.edu.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 406-758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.