School Years

By Luella Brien

The towns on the reservation Crow Agency, Lodge Grass, Wyola, St. Xavier, Ft. Smith all have grade schools giving Apsáalooke elementary students the ability to develop close friendships with their schoolmates. Grade schools across the reservation feed high schools at Lodge Grass, Ashland and Busby on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation and Hardin, just off the reservation. There are large populations of Apsáalooke students at Montana State University Billings, Montana State University in Bozeman and the University of Montana in Missoula. Many students choose to attend Little Big Horn College in Crow Agency. Chartered in 1980, LBHC opened its doors in 1981, offering higher education and vocational training. In 1984, the College applied for and received candidacy for accreditation with the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. The Trustees, faculty and staff worked diligently over the next six years to acquire accreditation at the community college level in June of 1990. The college offers associate degrees in 11 majors including Crow studies, business administration and human services.