How School Works Inside Missoula County Juvenile Detention

Certified teachers from Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS) teach classes inside the detention center. Your child won't leave the facility for school - instruction happens on-site.

School becomes available immediately after a judge orders detention. There's no long intake period to wait through - if you're trying to plan around a sudden stay, that quick start matters.

Coursework completed in detention doesn't disappear. Through an agreement with MCPS, credits earned inside transfer after release - back to your child's regular school or to a certified alternative education program. This is what keeps detention from becoming a lost semester.

1. Ask where credits should be sent after release - confirm whether the destination will be your child’s current school or a certified alternative education program.
2. Request the detention coursework/credit documentation - you’ll want whatever record shows what was completed and what credit was earned.
3. Share the records with the receiving school/program - provide the documentation so the school can apply the transferable credits in the right place.

Practical Advice Families

• ✓ If a judge orders your child to remain in detention, ask staff how your child can start accessing school right away.
• ✓ Keep track of what classes or coursework your child completes while detained so you can advocate for the credits later.
• ✓ After release, ask for the records that show what was completed in detention so the credits can be transferred.
• ✓ Confirm whether credits should go back to your child’s current school or to a certified alternative education program.
• ✓ If you’re unsure who should receive the paperwork, start by asking MCPS how they want detention coursework submitted for credit evaluation.

For administrative questions about the Youth Court side of the process, you can contact the Youth Court Office at 311 Woody Street or call (406) 258-4735.