Small school, statewide impact: Skola looks to boost student scholarships

The Skola in Whitefish is in search of support to raise at least $500,000 this year to become a statewide resource for Montana students.  

The Skola, located off East Edgewood Drive, is an independent school that focuses on the traditional Scandinavian philosophy of nature-based learning.  

For the past three years, the school has been a part of a successful statewide scholarship program. This program, The Student Scholarship Organization, or SSO, has one of the best tax incentive options in the state.  

“Our mission is to raise scholarship funds and award them to eligible students attending qualified private schools throughout Montana - not just The Skola,” said Ian Hudson, The Skola board member.  

This past year, the school was able to award funds to students outside of The Skola for the first time. 

“We’re a small school with a statewide impact,” Hudson said. “The fact that families from places like Missoula are applying for scholarships through an organization based in Whitefish shows that we’re beginning to build a reputation for helping students across Montana.” 

Despite being one of the best tax incentive options, the Montana SSO tax credit program is not extremely well known. Through the program, eligible Montana taxpayers can redirect a portion of their Montana income tax liability into scholarships for Montana students, primarily at private schools.   

The SSO program is like the Innovate Educational Program, which supports public schools. Individuals and businesses in both programs get 100% of their contribution back when they file income taxes. 

Tax credits are reserved by registered private schools throughout Montana on a first-come first-served basis. Last year, the entire allocation of $7.2 million was claimed less than 10 minutes after registration opened.  

This year’s allocation will increase by 20% to about $8.6 million.  

The Skola is hoping to get the community of Whitefish more involved in the scholarship this upcoming year and is looking for major donors.  

“This program is perfect for charitably minded individuals and businesses who want to support local organizations while achieving a statewide impact,” Hudson said.  

As an opportunity for taxpayers to choose where a portion of existing tax dollars are directed, SSO is “a win-win-win for the donors, for the school, and for the students,” Hudson said.  

The Skola is one of Montana’s most successful SSOs, being the fifth largest in terms of funds raised statewide. In 2026, they raised $322,000, growing from $144,000 in their inaugural year as part of the program. 

While the amount of money raised has increased, so has the demand for scholarships from students.  

This past year, The Skola received 42 scholarship applications, seven of whom are students at different schools in Montana including Sussex School and Missoula Christian Montessori School.  

Demand continues to outpace available dollars which leaves many qualified families without the level of scholarship assistance that they have requested. 

“One common misconception is that families choosing private education don’t need financial assistance,” Hudson said. “Scholarship assistance is essential for many working families.” 

The Skola’s goal for this year is to meet the needs of students applying for the scholarships as well as be able to roll 50% of raised funds into a forward year.  

According to Hudson, each individual contribution requires its own registration through the state portal. With the funds being claimed in matter of minutes, they start by registering the larger donations. By the time they do small donations, often the first-come first-served funds are out. This is why big donations can make a larger impact.  

“[Registration] all takes time, and the pot ticks down,” Hudson says. 

While the window does not open until January, The Skola is encouraging taxpayers to start the conversation early. The donation limit for individuals and businesses is $200,000 and the limit for couples is $400,000.  

The Skola hopes that the success of this program can demonstrate what the small community of Whitefish can accomplish when people rally behind an educational opportunity. 

For more information, visit theskola.org/sso-tax-credit. 

    The Skola in Whitefish. (Kristen Lee Fortier photo)
  

    The Skola in Whitefish. (Kristen Lee Fortier photo)