Article by Stephanie Hobby 

Learning to read is one of the most exciting milestones in a child's early life, and one of the most consequential. For students who need extra support, Billings Public Schools offers Jumpstart, now in its third year. Part of a statewide initiative, the program builds reading skills for students in kindergarten, first, and second grades. 

While the district has long had early reading programs, Jumpstart was established through House Bill 352: Early Literacy Targeted Interventions to provide additional support for children at risk of reading deficiencies. 

The stakes are high. National statistics show that children not reading at grade level by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of school. 

"It's called the silent epidemic," says Billings School District 2 Superintendent Dr. Erwin Garcia. "If a student can't read on grade level and lives in poverty, that kid is six times more likely to drop out." For Native American, African American, or Hispanic children living in poverty who aren't reading at grade level by third grade, that likelihood rises to eight times. 

Third grade is a critical benchmark because it marks the shift from learning to read to reading to learn. "They have to be able to read to understand science, social studies, and deeper math concepts. And so, if our kids are at a disadvantage because they aren't reading at grade level yet, then it's really difficult for them. Now, not only are they behind in reading, but they are also falling behind in other curriculum areas because they're not able to read the content for understanding and comprehension," says Jumpstart Coordinator Traci Piltz. 

Early identification is key. "It's not only at the end of the equation that we have to focus. We have to start early," Garcia says, noting that Jumpstart brings together curriculum, resources, and quality instruction to support children in those vital early years. 

Jumpstart is taught by certified teachers using the same Wonders Curriculum used during the school year, reaching roughly 250 students each summer. Classes are intentionally small, with two teachers per 15-student classroom. The program runs in half-day sessions at Sandstone and Newman elementary schools. Students also receive breakfast, outdoor play, lunch, and a field trip to ZooMontana, but the focus remains firmly on literacy. 

“They come and have a lot of really focused, targeted time working on specific literacy skills to help them be more successful, so they’ll go into the next grade level hopefully with the same skillset as their peers,” said Piltz. “It’s important. We just want all of our kids to have a level playing field for being successful. And so having this opportunity available, free of charge, for our families to get that extra boost throughout the summer, we hope will be engaging for them throughout the summer, keeping the students active, and connecting with reading and developing those literacy skills.”  

Originally printed in the July 2026 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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