Somers-Lakeside District 29

08/21/2026

We have some exciting recognition to share about our schools!

Somers Middle School has been ranked #7 out of 167 public middle schools in Montana by Niche, placing it in approximately the top 5% statewide.
Even more impressively, Somers Middle School is currently ranked #1 out of 81 ranked public middle schools in Montana for Best Public Middle School Teachers, with an overall A grade from Niche.

Lakeside Elementary School has been ranked #21 out of 271 public elementary schools in Montana by Niche, placing it in approximately the top 8% statewide.
These rankings are supported by strong academic results as well. Niche reports that 67% of Somers Middle School students are proficient in reading and 58% are proficient in math, while 62% of Lakeside Elementary students are proficient in both reading and math.

For context, the most recent statewide Montana data shows approximately 43% of students in grades 3–8 are proficient in reading and 37% are proficient in math. This means Somers Middle and Lakeside Elementary are performing substantially above statewide proficiency rates in both reading and mathematics.

And this isn't just one ranking system. Public School Review independently places both
Somers Middle School and Lakeside Elementary in the top 10% of all Montana schools, based primarily on academic performance and also ranking in the top 5% of public school districts in Montana overall.

These accomplishments don't happen because of one person or one program. They are the result of the hard work of our students, teachers, staff, families, and community every day.

Niche also provides an opportunity for students and parents to share their experiences through public reviews. Our schools currently have very few reviews, so prospective families have limited first-hand experiences to read.

If you have a child at Somers Middle School or Lakeside Elementary, we would encourage you to consider leaving an honest review of your experience. Positive, constructive, or critical feedback is valuable, it helps us learn and helps prospective families hear directly from the people who know our schools best.

Thank you to everyone who continues to make Somers and Lakeside such special places to learn and grow. We are proud of our schools, and even more proud of the people who make them what they are.

Go Mustangs!

08/13/2026

Here is a link to our most recent Somers Schools Newsletters for those who did not receive them via email!

A lot of important welcome-back information is embedded in the links in the email!

08/12/2026

We are excited to highlight our wonderful office management team across the district!

Hayley Beattie – Somers Office Manager
Hayley enters her second year with our district team at Somers! After coaching 6th-grade girls basketball the past 2 seasons, she stepped into the office manager role inspired by the caring, fun environment her two daughters experienced as district students. Originally from Ridgefield, Washington, Hayley earned her Bachelors of Landscape Architecture from Washington State University. A Flathead Valley resident since 2015, she loves being a helpful resource for our families, coaching basketball, gardening, camping, and supporting district events. This school year she is expanding her role within our team as one of our district’s activities directors!

Brandi Walker – Lakeside Office Manager
We are also thrilled to give a warm welcome to Brandi Walker, who is brand new to our team over at Lakeside! Before moving to Montana she spent numerous years as a paraprofessional and front office manager in the state of Georgia. We are excited to have her join the district family and bring her energy to supporting our Lakeside students, staff, and community.

Be sure to say hello when you see Hayley in Somers and Brandi in Lakeside!

08/09/2026

Old faces in new places at Somers Schools! We are thrilled to announce some exciting transitions within our district physical education program as two of our wonderful staff members bring their passion and experience into the gymnasium!

Nate Dorcheus — Elementary PE at Lakeside
A true pillar of our district, Mr. Dorcheus is making a triumphant "second go around" as the Lakeside Elementary PE teacher! Having served in a variety of roles across the district since 2003, including most recently teaching 4th grade, Nate brings his deep dedication to being a positive role model and mentor for our youngest learners. Outside of school, he is an avid outdoor enthusiast who loves hunting, fishing, and exploring Montana’s beauty with his family, and he is eager to get our Lakeside students moving, building skills, and enjoying active lives!

Joshua Espinosa — Middle School PE at Somers
After making a wonderful impact in our math and Title programs, Mr. Espinosa is stepping onto the court as the new Somers Middle School PE teacher! A passionate soccer coach who strongly values physical and mental well-being, Joshua sees a powerful bridge between the classroom and the gym—using structure, play, discipline, and teamwork to help students thrive. While he will miss working side-by-side with our math team, he is thrilled to help SMS students build healthy foundations, build community through sports, and have fun along the way!

Please join us in celebrating Mr. Dorcheus and Mr. Espinosa as they embark on these exciting new chapters at Lakeside and Somers!

08/06/2026

As we end the first week of August, we want to let everyone know that enrollment for the upcoming school year is now open!

Whether you are a returning family or new to our wonderful community, we are so excited to welcome your students for another great year of learning and growth.

Get a head start on the school year by completing your registration today.

Enrollment Link Below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIHKz_RkfFoXY1npcpjOflQ8IaHw1b1RP3yVeThW2Z-DsWDw/viewform?usp=header

Help us spread the word by sharing this post, tagging your friends, or passing this link along to any neighbors with school-aged children so every family in our district gets registered and ready to go.

Also, the Supply List and School Calendars are updated on the School Webpage!
www.somersdist29.org under the menu tab!

We are working on our welcome back newsletters with other information such as fall sports starting dates, open house, and all the things!

We can't wait to see everyone back in school on Tuesday, September 8th!

08/04/2026

We are excited to announce a few updates to our teaching staff and roles at Somers Middle School!

Kara Basko – 5–8 Art
We are thrilled to welcome Kara Basko into her new role teaching 5–8 Art! Kara brings extensive experience as an artist and educator, having spent nine years teaching at Elrod Elementary School where she excelled at integrating art into core curricula. With a Bachelor’s in Studio Arts, an Elementary Education licensure, and a recently added K-12 Art Endorsement, Kara is excited to bring her passion for artistic expression to our middle schoolers.

Katie Carey – 5–6 Title Reading
Katie Carey is transitioning from her previous role in 7–8 Title to take on 5–6 Title Reading! She will continue in her roles as band director and play director as well! Katie joined the Somers/Lakeside School District in 2024, stepping into multiple substitute roles and directing Alice in Wonderland, Jr. before joining full-time. With degrees in Theatre Arts, Music, and Spirituality, plus a rich background in music and theater performance, she is passionate about helping students find their voices and build confidence through reading and creative expression.

Samantha Aklestad – 7–8 Title Reading
We are also delighted to announce that Samantha Aklestad is joining the district to teach 7–8 Reading! We are excited to have her team up with our middle school educators to support our students in reading and literacy growth.

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Kara and Sam as they join our district, and in celebrating Katie as she steps into her new position!

08/04/2026

Help us spread the word!

What if you could choose exactly where your state tax dollars go, and direct them straight to classrooms in our own community?

Through the Montana Innovative Educational Program (IEP) Tax Credit, you can. Every dollar you donate to Somers School District 29 comes back to you as a dollar-for-dollar credit on your state tax return (up to $200,000 per individual or business, or $400,000 for married couples filing jointly).

Your contribution directly funds hands-on learning experiences, updated technology, specialized equipment for students with disabilities, and career training programs right here at home. Plus, if your credit exceeds what you owe in state taxes this year, you can carry the remainder forward for up to three years.

While the statewide tax credits claimed rapidly earlier this year, a second window is opening. On October 7, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. MDT, the state is releasing $236,000 in unused tax credits back into the pool. Because these credits are approved on a strict first-come, first-served basis, speed is everything.

How to Participate

Reach Out Before Oct. 7: Contact Superintendent Alex Ator now so District 29 can collect your basic information ahead of time.
District Submission: Right at 9:00 a.m. on October 7, the district logs your donation details into the state's portal to lock in your credit reservation.
Claim Your Credit: Once preapproved, you’ll receive an official state receipt and confirmation code to attach to your Montana state tax return.

Try to keep your state tax dollars local before leaving our community and help fuel local innovation. You can track real-time portal updates on the Montana Education Donation Portal.

There is also a spring window every year, that last years lead to over 14 million in directed tax credits to local schools, public and private throughout the state of Montana!

Please email Superintendent Alex Ator today at [email protected] for more information!

Send a message to learn more

07/16/2026

Announcing Our New Middle School Principal at Somers Middle School

We are proud to officially announce the appointment of Julia Maxwell to our school leadership team. Julia brings a deeply rooted passion for whole-child learning, a wealth of administrative expertise, and a proven track record of systemic and academic success.

An Accomplished Career in Education Julia most recently served as the Superintendent and Principal for Marion Public Schools. Holding a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and a Superintendent Certification, she has spent the last four years expertly managing all facets of district operations. Her leadership extends statewide through her Governor-appointed position on the Montana State Board of Public Education, where she helps shape policies, accreditation standards, and educator licensure.

With a professional background as a K-12 Reading Specialist and a middle school teacher in history, English, and Spanish, Julia understands the unique developmental needs of students. She is highly regarded for implementing impactful initiatives, including the Science of Reading curriculum and the Ron Clark Academy House System, to foster both academic growth and school pride.

A "Whole-Child" Leader Who Wears Every Hat Julia is known by colleagues and board members as a tireless advocate for students. Known for her relational warmth, she is a leader who leads by example—whether that means stepping in to teach a class when needed or greeting students in creative costumes to make the school environment welcoming.

Welcoming the Maxwell Family Beyond her professional accolades, Julia is deeply committed to community integration. She is thrilled to have her family joining our school community alongside her. As a family that is actively involved in local athletics and youth development, they look forward to supporting our students both in the classroom and on the field.

As a school, we are not just welcoming a new administrator; but we are also welcoming a new family who shares our values of community, dedication, and holistic educational support.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Julia Maxwell and her family as we look forward to a bright future together!

07/16/2026

Fresh, local, and grown right here! 🌱

This week's Summer Food Program menu is getting a delicious boost with Swiss chard harvested from our school garden. It will be featured in both our pasta salad and garden salad, bringing fresh, nutritious ingredients straight from our garden to our families' tables.

A heartfelt thank you to our Agriculture program and the dedicated students and staff who have spent countless hours planting, tending, and harvesting the garden. Their hard work is helping provide healthy, locally grown food for our students and families throughout the summer.

We're proud to see learning extend beyond the classroom and into our community—one harvest at a time! 💚🥬

07/10/2026

We are currently looking for some support with fall extracurriculars. If you are interested in coaching volleyball or football, please contact superintendent Alex Ator via email by Friday July 14th @ 5pm!

Thank you for supporting our students, and Go Mustangs!