Growing in Good Faith

Gianforte Family Foundation: May 27, 2026

Kalispell is growing fast. Since 2020, the city’s population has climbed nearly 25 percent, reaching an estimated 31,296 residents in 2024. More than 1,100 new residents moved to the area between 2023 and 2024 alone, making Kalispell the fastest-growing city in Montana.

As more young families settle in the Flathead Valley, local schools are feeling the impact—and responding to the need.

Stillwater Christian School is expanding its campus with a new Early Learning Center designed to serve the area’s growing number of families with preschool and kindergarten aged students. Leaders at the private, Christian school say the project reflects both the community’s rapid growth and the increasing demand for early childhood education.

“The Valley has been growing, with many new, young families moving into the area, so we anticipate increased enrollment, especially at the preschool level,” said Dr. Laura McCollum, head of school. “The new center will allow us to open up more enrollment for children in our preschool and kindergarten programs, with intentionally designed spaces, so that all of our learners’ developmental needs are met with excellence.”

The new 17,500-square-foot facility will feature five new classrooms dedicated to early childhood education, including two kindergarten classrooms and three preschool learning spaces. The building will also include child-friendly restrooms, a teacher and staff workroom, a small gymnasium for elementary physical education, and a dedicated Lower School music classroom (preschool-6th grade).

Stillwater Christian School has served families in the Flathead Valley for more than 45 years, offering Christ-centered education for students in preschool through 12th grade. The school currently enrolls approximately 410 students.

Construction is moving forward, with most of the site work and building now completed. School officials expect the Early Learning Center to open this fall, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony tentatively planned during the school’s annual Open House on September 1.