In August 2010, Highland View Christian School in Butte, Mont., opened with six students and one teacher. A large classroom was set up in the basement of the church with a smaller room for the library and computer lab. The Town Council had given permission for them to hold school in the basement for a year. The church and HVCS board began planning for the following 2011–2012 school year. The property around the church was large enough to build on — but would this work? They needed a building and money.
Members began praying for direction. A large donation was made specifically for a school building. Additionally they hired ThinkOne Architects. Many meetings later, they stepped out in faith and presented plans to the Town Council on April 21. The council approved plans for a new structure. So on Friday, April 29, at 2 p.m., the groundbreaking took place.
Ben Nagel, HVCS board chair, organized the ceremony and introduced speakers. Paul Babb, mayor, and Judy Martz, former Montana governor, attended. During his speech, Babb expressed his pleasure in having a Christian school in the community. Archie Harris, Montana Conference education superintendent, cited the benefits of an Adventist education, and Danny Flower, pastor, closed with prayer. Refreshments were served.
The new building will house two classrooms, a library/computer lab, a kitchen and a multipurpose room. Plans include more classrooms and a gymnasium. Members are praying for two full classrooms, another teacher and a teacher's aide for the next school year. They are already receiving calls from the community requesting information.
This is a faith endeavor with all the funding not yet in place. However, the Butte Church trusts God for the future. Butte is a hard town with a mining history and casinos on almost every corner. The members' goal is to offer something better — Jesus.
Pictured from left are: Paul Babb, mayor; Judy Martz, former Montana governor; Archie Harris, Montana Conference education superintendent; Kathy Edwards, Highland View Christian School teacher; Brooke Flower, HVCS 8th grader; and Ben Nagel, HVCS board chair, break ground on the new HVCS building.
Pictured from left are: Highland View Christian School students Bianca Pratt, Krystina McLure, Brooke Flower and Mackenzie Flower with teacher Kathy Edwards, help break ground for the new HVCS building.
The floor plan for Highland View Christian School in Butte, Mont., includes two classrooms and a library/computer lab.
