High School Programs
Student success is at the center of everything we do. Our programs empower today’s students to become leaders in their communities and in our country. Our commitment extends beyond the 91次元 campus to include Montana high school students.
We partner Montana's 400 K-12 public school districts, other colleges and universities, community and international partners, and the U.S. Department of State to provide unique opportunities that empower young people as positive forces in our communities and engage them in developing cross-cultural understanding, leadership, and responsible citizenship.
Available Programs
Democracy Forum Every fall, 250 high school juniors and seniors and their teachers gather at the 91次元 for the Democracy Forum, a full-day conference to inspire leadership, collaboration, and civic engagement. These students, from schools from across Western Montana, spend the day attending classes led by a university professor, participating in hands-on activities and interacting with an internationally recognized keynote speaker.
Big Sky LEAD Leadership, Engagement and Development. The Big Sky LEADers are 15 exceptional high school students from all across Montana, chosen through a competitive selection process to participate in this year-long leadership program. These civic influencers are on a mission to hone their leadership skills, expand their knowledge, and craft strategies for making a positive impact in our communities.
By engaging with experts and delving into pressing local, state, and national issues, participants explore their individual and collective responsibilities as citizens and leaders. They identify best practices in civic engagement and learn how to build alliances and action plans to shape a brighter future.
Taiwan Spring Study Tour 2025 Current Montana high school sophomores and juniors are invited to apply for a fully funded, two-week Spring Study Tour in vibrant Taiwan, designed to build Mandarin language skills and deepen cultural understanding. Sponsored by the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center in partnership with Shih Chien University, the program combines engaging classroom instruction with immersive cultural excursions across the island. Students will explore Taiwan’s unique identity, dynamic society, and global significance—all at no cost, with travel, lodging, meals, and activities fully covered.
Youth Exchange Program This transformative program unites 24 students—12 from Montana and 12 from Chicago—for a two-week journey that bridges the urban-rural divide and strengthens our democracy. Together, they explore Montana’s breathtaking landscapes, the vibrant city of Chicago, and the nation’s capital, Washington, DC. Along the way, students examine pressing issues through both rural and urban lenses, gaining deeper insight into each other’s experiences. This powerful exchange fosters meaningful dialogue, lasting connections, and a broader perspective that students carry forward as engaged, informed citizens.
Additional International Opportunities. We understand the value of international experience to all ages, and we work with numerous partners to provide students with the opportunity to travel abroad, often on fully funded leadership development programs. We have also compiled a list of State Department programs that allow high school students to travel internationally.
Internships. We offer outstanding high school students the opportunity to work closely with our programs through unpaid internships.
“We will find… among the young people of this nation, the resources of intelligence and integrity to define the evolving problems of our times. We will find, I profoundly believe, the courage, the conviction, and the concern to face them and to resolve them.”
-Mike Mansfield, May 1968