2025-06-14T12:18:47-04:00 2024-07-31 933962119 SWIFTCURRENT ACCOUNTING & TAX INC 19 APPLEWAY DRIVE KALISPELL MT 59901 990 2024-01-01 882649209 THE SKOLA THES 4068711524 300 EAST SECOND ST UNIT 2 WHITEFISH MT 59937 COURTNEY LAABS CHAIRPERSON 4068711524 2025-06-13 true false CHRISTIAN SHAEFFER CPA P01458458 4067555428 2025-06-13 X 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z COURTNEY LAABS 3521766 false X WWW.THESKOLA.ORG X 2022 MT WE ARE CHANGING THE CULTURE OF LEARNING BY PAIRING WHAT TO KNOW WITH HOW WE GROW. 6 6 29 60 0 61339 3227935 306909 293831 0 0 368248 3521766 0 0 242053 292354 1040 0 41542 155257 132298 398350 424652 -30102 3097114 218367 3461455 234245 380219 -15878 3081236 X WE HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS INSIDE AND OUT, FORM HEALTHY LEARNING HABITS USING THE BEST ACADEMIC RESEARCH, AND BUILD CONNECTIONS IN TOWN AND BEYOND WHERE STUDENTS FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PURPOSE AND PLACE. false false 250910 293831 WE ARE CHANGING THE CULTURE OF LEARNING BY PAIRING WHAT TO KNOW WITH HOW WE GROW OVER THE LAST YEAR THE SKOLA HAS CONTINUED TO GROW THROUGH MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY CONNECTION AND FUNDRAISING MOMENTUM. THANKS TO THE GENEROUS DONATION OF OUR NEW CAMPUS IN JUNE, OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER AT THE END OF 2024, RAISING OVER 200,000 TO SUPPORT ESSENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS AND BRING OUR PROGRAMMING TOGETHER ON ONE SITE. WE ENGAGED IN STRATEGIC CONVERSATIONS WITH THE WHITEFISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TO PREPARE FOR APPLYING FOR GRANTED FUNDS AND PARTICIPATING IN THEIR ANNUAL COMMUNITY CHALLENGE EVENT. IN ADDITION, THE SKOLA HAS SECURED GRANT FUNDING FROM NUMEROUS FOUNDATIONS OVER THE PAST YEAR AS WE EXPAND OUR PROGRAMS, AND WE CONTINUE TO BUILD STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH FUNDERS WHO BELIEVE IN OUR MISSION AND VISION. IN JNAUARY 2024 THE SKOLA SECURED APPROXIMATELY 140,000 IN SSO FUNDS TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN OUR PROGRAMS. THESE MILESTONES REFLECT MORE THAN JUST FINANCIAL PROGRESSTHEY REPRESENT THE DEEPENING SUPPORT OF FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND PARTNERS WHO ARE HELPING US BUILD SOMETHING LASTING. THE SKOLA WAS FOUNDED IN 2021 TO MEET THE COMMUNITYS GROWING NEED FOR AN ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL MODEL THAT EMPHASIZED PROJECT-BASED LEARNING, OUTDOOR EXPLORATION, AND A STRONG CONNECTION TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. THE SCHOOL EXPANDED FROM ITS SCANDINAVIAN-INSPIRED FOREST PRESCHOOL, FOXTAIL FRSKOLA, WHICH BEGAN IN 2018, BUILDING ON A FOUNDATION OF FOSTERING PLAY, CURIOSITY, AND A LOVE FOR NATURE. THE SKOLAS MISSION IS TO CULTIVATE A DYNAMIC LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WHERE CHILDREN ARE EMPOWERED TO EXPLORE THEIR WORLD, THINK CRITICALLY, AND DEVELOP A LIFELONG PASSION FOR LEARNING. WE USE RESEARCH-BASED CURRICULUM AND TEACHERS WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO CREATE PROJECTS THAT EMBED THE LEARNING INTO AN EXPERIENTIAL MODEL. PLACE-BASED LEARNING IS AT THE CORE OF OUR PHILOSOPHY, IMMERSING STUDENTS IN THEIR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT AND CULTIVATING A PROFOUND UNDERSTANDING OF SELF AND THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF ALL THINGS. FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE DONE ACADEMIC PROJECTS CONNECTED TO COMMUNITY NONPROFITS SUCH AS THE HUMANE SOCIETY, THE FOOD BANK, AND THE SAMARITAN HOUSE. THROUGH INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING, STUDENTS ASK QUESTIONS AND SEEK ANSWERS AMID THE SURROUNDING NATURAL WORLD AND LOCAL COMMUNITY. WE US A "DRIVING QUESTION" FOR EACH PROJECT, FOLLOWED BY "NEED TO KNOW QUESTIONS" IN ORDER TO ANSWER OUR LARGER DRIVING QUESTION. FOR EXAMPLE, HOW CAN FIRE HARM AND HELP OUR COMMUNITY? BY INTEGRATING HANDS-ON PROJECTS, OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES, AND A COMMUNITY-FOCUSED CURRICULUM, THE SKOLA PREPARES STUDENTS TO BECOME RESILIENT, INNOVATIVE, AND COMPASSIONATE CONTRIBUTORS TO SOCIETY. THE SKOLA IS IN ITS THIRD SCHOOL YEAR AND HAS EVOLVED AND GROWN. IN THE FIRST YEAR, THE SCHOOL (THEN CALLED LARK SKOLA) EDUCATED CHILDREN FROM 1ST AND 2ND GRADE AS A NONPROFIT ENTITY. IN ITS SECOND YEAR, IT PURCHASED A NEIGHBORING NATURE-BASED FOR-PROFIT PRESCHOOL, BRINGING THESE AGES TOGETHER UNDER THE CURRENT NAME, THE SKOLA, ON THREE SEPARATE CAMPUS LOCATIONS. NOW THE SKOLA HAS 73 STUDENTS FROM PRESCHOOL TO 4TH GRADE, WHO ATTEND SCHOOL ON A 10-ACRE CAMPUS DONATED TO THE SCHOOL BY A LOCAL COMMUNITY SUPPORTER. WE HAVE A STRONG SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE THAT IS FUNDED THROUGH PRIVATE DONATIONS AND GRANTS. CURRENTLY OVER 23% OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE SCHOLARSHIPS, MAKING SURE ALL STUDENTS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS EDUCATION. STAFF TRAININGS HAPPEN FREQUENTLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO STAY UP-TO-DATE ON THE LATEST RESEARCH AND TO DEEPEN UNDERSTANDING OF OUR TEACHING MODELS. AND WE ARE WORKING TO INCREASE OUR PAY FOR STAFF AND/OR OFFER MORE BENEFITS, KNOWING THE HOUSING AND COST DEMANDS IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE HIGH. PARENT VOLUNTEERS ARE PRESENT WEEKLY TO ASSIST IN MAINTAINING THE CAMPS, BRING THEIR OWN EXPERTISE INTO THE CLASSROOM, AND ASSIST THE TEACHERS AS NEEDED. WE HAVE MANY GOALS FOR OUR FUTURE, INCLUDING ACQUIRING IB ACCREDITATION AND GROWING ONE GRADE PER YEAR UNTIL WE HAVE STUDENTS IN PRESCHOOL THROUGH 8TH GRADE. THIS WILL ENTAIL A DETAILED REVIEW OF HOW WE USE OUR CAMPUS CURRENTLY AND WHAT WILL NEED TO CHANGE TO SUPPORT FOUR MORE GRADES/AGES OF STUDENTS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL. ALSO, AS A YOUNG SCHOOL, WE CONTINUE TO BUILD OUR STAFF MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL FOUNDATION. 250910 true true false false false false false false false false true false false false true false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 3 0 true 29 true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false X 6 6 false false false false false false false true true false false false true true true true true true false false X X BRITTNEY CREST 4068711524 300 EAST SECOND ST UNIT 2 WHITEFISH MT 59937 BROOKE WHITE OBER EXECUTIVE DI 44.00 X X 35000 0 0 BRITTNEY CREST TREASURER 4.00 X X 0 0 0 KIMBERLY HUDSON DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 LAUREN JARROLD SECRETARY 4.00 X X 0 0 0 COURTNEY LAABS CHAIRPERSON 4.00 X X 0 0 0 CHRIS WRIGHT DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 35000 false false false 3227935 3227935 TUITION 238548 238548 SUMMER CAMP 54983 54983 SUBLEASE 300 300 293831 3521766 293531 300 55873 20873 35000 211146 147802 63344 1806 1264 542 23529 16584 6945 2439 2439 3469 3469 17945 17945 1465 1465 4056 3156 900 50445 7896 1007 41542 1100 1100 20 20 21747 21747 2075 1867 208 PROGRAM SUPPLIES 14454 14454 DUES AND FEES 7947 7133 814 OTHER 2186 2186 CC FEES 1889 944 945 1061 1061 424652 250910 132200 41542 31503 144283 6300 6300 3207551 18523 53673 3189028 126891 121844 218367 3461455 8715 6300 201954 219230 177765 500 234245 380219 X -15878 3081236 -15878 3081236 218367 3461455 3097114 X false false X SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION SCHEDULE A, PART 1: THE ORGANIZATION REQUESTS AN UPDATE FROM IRC CLASSIFICATION 509(A)(2) (SCHEDULE A ITEM 10) TO SCHOOL UNDER IRC SECTION 170(B)(1)(A)(II) (SCHEDULE A ITEM 2). THE ORGANIZATION IS A SCHOOL AND OPERATES AS SUCH UNDER THE DEFINITION OF IRC 170. THE 1023 APPLICATION CORRECTLY DESCRIBES THE SCHOOL OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZAITON, HOWEVER, THE 1023 APPLICATION INCRRECTLY REQUESTED SECTION 509 ON PAGE 15. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 3207551 18523 3189028 3189028 FIB LOC 500 500 true true true true true true true false false false false false false false false false false true SCHEDULE E, LINE 3 THE NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY IS LISTED ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE: NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS THE SKOLA ADMITS STUDENTS OF ANY RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL AND ETHNIC ORIGIN TO ALL THE RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, PROGRAMS, AND ACTIVITIES GENERALLY ACCORDED OR MADE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS AT THE SCHOOL. IT DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL AND ETHNIC ORIGIN IN ADMINISTRATION OF ITS EDUCATIONAL POLICIES, ADMISSIONS POLICIES, SCHOLARSHIP AND LOAN PROGRAMS, AND ATHLETIC AND OTHER SCHOOL-ADMINISTERED PROGRAMS. FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION WE HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS INSIDE AND OUT, FORM HEALTHY LEARNING HABITS USING THE BEST ACADEMIC RESEARCH, AND BUILD CONNECTIONS IN TOWN AND BEYOND WHERE STUDENTS FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PURPOSE AND PLACE. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A WE ARE CHANGING THE CULTURE OF LEARNING BY PAIRING WHAT TO KNOW WITH HOW WE GROW OVER THE LAST YEAR THE SKOLA HAS CONTINUED TO GROW THROUGH MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY CONNECTION AND FUNDRAISING MOMENTUM. THANKS TO THE GENEROUS DONATION OF OUR NEW CAMPUS IN JUNE, OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER AT THE END OF 2024, RAISING OVER 200,000 TO SUPPORT ESSENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS AND BRING OUR PROGRAMMING TOGETHER ON ONE SITE. WE ENGAGED IN STRATEGIC CONVERSATIONS WITH THE WHITEFISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TO PREPARE FOR APPLYING FOR GRANTED FUNDS AND PARTICIPATING IN THEIR ANNUAL COMMUNITY CHALLENGE EVENT. IN ADDITION, THE SKOLA HAS SECURED GRANT FUNDING FROM NUMEROUS FOUNDATIONS OVER THE PAST YEAR AS WE EXPAND OUR PROGRAMS, AND WE CONTINUE TO BUILD STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH FUNDERS WHO BELIEVE IN OUR MISSION AND VISION. IN JNAUARY 2024 THE SKOLA SECURED APPROXIMATELY 140,000 IN SSO FUNDS TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN OUR PROGRAMS. THESE MILESTONES REFLECT MORE THAN JUST FINANCIAL PROGRESSTHEY REPRESENT THE DEEPENING SUPPORT OF FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND PARTNERS WHO ARE HELPING US BUILD SOMETHING LASTING. THE SKOLA WAS FOUNDED IN 2021 TO MEET THE COMMUNITYS GROWING NEED FOR AN ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL MODEL THAT EMPHASIZED PROJECT-BASED LEARNING, OUTDOOR EXPLORATION, AND A STRONG CONNECTION TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. THE SCHOOL EXPANDED FROM ITS SCANDINAVIAN-INSPIRED FOREST PRESCHOOL, FOXTAIL FRSKOLA, WHICH BEGAN IN 2018, BUILDING ON A FOUNDATION OF FOSTERING PLAY, CURIOSITY, AND A LOVE FOR NATURE. THE SKOLAS MISSION IS TO CULTIVATE A DYNAMIC LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WHERE CHILDREN ARE EMPOWERED TO EXPLORE THEIR WORLD, THINK CRITICALLY, AND DEVELOP A LIFELONG PASSION FOR LEARNING. WE USE RESEARCH-BASED CURRICULUM AND TEACHERS WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO CREATE PROJECTS THAT EMBED THE LEARNING INTO AN EXPERIENTIAL MODEL. PLACE-BASED LEARNING IS AT THE CORE OF OUR PHILOSOPHY, IMMERSING STUDENTS IN THEIR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT AND CULTIVATING A PROFOUND UNDERSTANDING OF SELF AND THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF ALL THINGS. FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE DONE ACADEMIC PROJECTS CONNECTED TO COMMUNITY NONPROFITS SUCH AS THE HUMANE SOCIETY, THE FOOD BANK, AND THE SAMARITAN HOUSE. THROUGH INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING, STUDENTS ASK QUESTIONS AND SEEK ANSWERS AMID THE SURROUNDING NATURAL WORLD AND LOCAL COMMUNITY. WE US A "DRIVING QUESTION" FOR EACH PROJECT, FOLLOWED BY "NEED TO KNOW QUESTIONS" IN ORDER TO ANSWER OUR LARGER DRIVING QUESTION. FOR EXAMPLE, HOW CAN FIRE HARM AND HELP OUR COMMUNITY? BY INTEGRATING HANDS-ON PROJECTS, OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES, AND A COMMUNITY-FOCUSED CURRICULUM, THE SKOLA PREPARES STUDENTS TO BECOME RESILIENT, INNOVATIVE, AND COMPASSIONATE CONTRIBUTORS TO SOCIETY. THE SKOLA IS IN ITS THIRD SCHOOL YEAR AND HAS EVOLVED AND GROWN. IN THE FIRST YEAR, THE SCHOOL (THEN CALLED LARK SKOLA) EDUCATED CHILDREN FROM 1ST AND 2ND GRADE AS A NONPROFIT ENTITY. IN ITS SECOND YEAR, IT PURCHASED A NEIGHBORING NATURE-BASED FOR-PROFIT PRESCHOOL, BRINGING THESE AGES TOGETHER UNDER THE CURRENT NAME, THE SKOLA, ON THREE SEPARATE CAMPUS LOCATIONS. NOW THE SKOLA HAS 73 STUDENTS FROM PRESCHOOL TO 4TH GRADE, WHO ATTEND SCHOOL ON A 10-ACRE CAMPUS DONATED TO THE SCHOOL BY A LOCAL COMMUNITY SUPPORTER. WE HAVE A STRONG SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE THAT IS FUNDED THROUGH PRIVATE DONATIONS AND GRANTS. CURRENTLY OVER 23% OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE SCHOLARSHIPS, MAKING SURE ALL STUDENTS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS EDUCATION. STAFF TRAININGS HAPPEN FREQUENTLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO STAY UP-TO-DATE ON THE LATEST RESEARCH AND TO DEEPEN UNDERSTANDING OF OUR TEACHING MODELS. AND WE ARE WORKING TO INCREASE OUR PAY FOR STAFF AND/OR OFFER MORE BENEFITS, KNOWING THE HOUSING AND COST DEMANDS IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE HIGH. PARENT VOLUNTEERS ARE PRESENT WEEKLY TO ASSIST IN MAINTAINING THE CAMPS, BRING THEIR OWN EXPERTISE INTO THE CLASSROOM, AND ASSIST THE TEACHERS AS NEEDED. WE HAVE MANY GOALS FOR OUR FUTURE, INCLUDING ACQUIRING IB ACCREDITATION AND GROWING ONE GRADE PER YEAR UNTIL WE HAVE STUDENTS IN PRESCHOOL THROUGH 8TH GRADE. THIS WILL ENTAIL A DETAILED REVIEW OF HOW WE USE OUR CAMPUS CURRENTLY AND WHAT WILL NEED TO CHANGE TO SUPPORT FOUR MORE GRADES/AGES OF STUDENTS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL. ALSO, AS A YOUNG SCHOOL, WE CONTINUE TO BUILD OUR STAFF MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL FOUNDATION. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE DRAFT 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE BOARD VIA EMAIL PRIOR TO E-FILING. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS REVIEWED ANNUALLY BY THE BOARD. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMPENSAITON IS REVIEWED AT LEAST ANNUALLY BY THE BOARD. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 WRITTEN REQUEST IS REQUIRED TO SEE PUBLIC DOCUMENTS. MAY REQUIRE PRINT AND COPY AND POSTAGE CHARGES. PLEASE ALLOW 2-3 DAYS FOR RESPONSE.