Billings Early College Students Began Campus Classes

Juniors at the Billings Early College School have started taking college-level courses directly on the MSUB campus.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Secondary Education

Billings Early College Students Began Campus Classes

Live Poll

Would you encourage a high school student to pursue college credit programs to save future costs?

Billings Early College School juniors have officially begun attending courses on the Montana State University Billings campus. This program allows local students to earn up to 60 college credits before finishing their high school requirements.

Why it matters

The program helps families navigate rising college costs by providing a tuition-free path to earning substantial university credit during high school. It offers students a significant head start on degree completion while developing the academic skills necessary for post-secondary success.

Students can earn up to 60 college credits before graduation, with tuition covered through the school program. Eligible students may also utilize the Montana University System One-Two-Free program to have six college credits fully covered.

The players

Billings Early College School

An educational institution in Montana that offers students a path to earn college credit while completing their high school diploma.

Montana State University Billings

A public university campus that hosts high school students for advanced academic coursework.

The details

Students at the Billings Early College School integrate college-level coursework into their standard high school curriculum. By attending classes on the Montana State University Billings campus, participants gain exposure to collegiate environments and expectations. This model is designed to build academic proficiency and college readiness incrementally over the students' final two years of secondary education.

• The school opened in 2023.
• The first group of students began their junior year in October 2026.

The Home Front

This program aligns with broader state efforts like the Montana University System One-Two-Free program to reduce the financial burden of higher education on families. It marks a departure from traditional secondary schooling by embedding university-level requirements into the high school experience.

Families with students in the program should audit their projected annual course fees and prepare a budget for required textbooks. Contact the school administration to confirm which specific credits are eligible for the One-Two-Free waiver program this semester.

The takeaway

The Billings Early College School provides a strategic way for families to mitigate future tuition costs by front-loading college credits. Parents should maintain a file of all completed course transcripts to ensure proper credit transfer upon high school graduation.