Students from Great Falls High and CMR have officially broke ground on what will become the 49th High School House! NeighborWorks Great Falls and Great Falls Public Schools have partnered on this project since 1997 with the first home built by the students completed in 1998. NeighborWorks supplies the lot, arranges subcontractors, and finances construction while working with potential homebuyers to prepare them for homeownership. Students provide the labor and gain hands-on skills in a real-world setting, preparing them for careers in the trades.
“The High School House program gives students valuable hands-on skills while helping create quality homes in our community,” said Sherrie Arey, executive director of NWGF. “Homeownership builds stability, opportunity and stronger neighborhoods, and this program supports all three.”
The home will be completed in May and showcased during a ribbon cutting and open house event. This year the build site is located at 1105 2nd Ave SW. Next year, the 50th High School House will be built right next door.
“The 49th High School House is a great example of what can happen when students, schools, local businesses, and our community work together,” said Pete Pace, teacher for the High School House. “I’m extremely proud of our students and grateful for the continued support of Sletten Construction, M&D Construction, Johnson Madison Lumber, and everyone who helps make this program possible. We’re not just building a house—we’re giving students real-world skills and opportunities they can carry with them long after high school.”
Not only do the students build the home, but they also design the interior. Students in the interior design class create design boards, and after a vote, the winning board is used for the paint, flooring, countertops, and more!
To learn more about the High School House, visit https://nwgf.org/high-school-house/