High School House Program: 2020 Open House

The 42nd High School House, located at 1724 4th Avenue South, is almost complete thanks to 26 students from CMR and Great Falls High who came together to not only learn valuable employment skills but also provide a new affordable home in Great Falls. In addition to learning various hands-on skills, students are faced with situations throughout the year that teach them the significance of teamwork, structure, and discipline.

Each year, NeighborWorks Great Falls and Great Falls Public Schools come together to host the High School House Open House to show off the students’ hard work and provide an opportunity for parents and community members to see first-hand what these students accomplished. Our Open House looked different this year, allowing only high school students in the program along with their parents to tour the home. As students walked through the house, parents beamed with pride as their children showed off different parts of the home and told stories about this unique experience. Additionally, we awarded four exemplary students who were nominated as our Builders of the Year and Designers of the Year:

Kaleb Stringer – CMR Builder of the Year (top left)

Shane Borger – Great Falls High Builder of the Year (top right)

Christine Margaris – Great Falls High Designer (bottom left)

Natalie Garner – CMR Designer of the Year (bottom right)

These four students were nominated by their teachers for going above and beyond throughout the process of building and designing this year’s house. We also want to congratulate Christine, GFH Designer of the Year, whose design is coming to life in this year's home. As students are looking toward the future, many are entering the trade and interior design industry with experience and direction because of their time in the High School House Program.

NeighborWorks Great Falls appreciates the support of this community as well as the partners who help make the High School House Program possible including Great Falls Public Schools, the City of Great Falls, and the Browning Kimball Foundation.

Stay tuned for more information and photos of the house once it is complete in June.