Trading Places

Connecting schools and community through shared experience.

Trading Places provides a bi-annual opportunity for learning and collaboration among school administrations and Helena’s business, governmental and nonprofit community. Administrators are matched with community members for a day – the pairs spend the morning in the schools and switch venues for the second part of the day. Participants who haven’t been in a classroom for years have a chance to see the exciting and innovative changes in Helena schools. All participants attend a casual reception at the end of the day and where possible the Foundation facilitates ongoing collaboration.

This event allows business and community leaders an opportunity to learn more about the role of administrators in our schools and to witness the decisions and responsibilities principals face each day. Principals learn more about other sectors and see how schools can play a role in supporting local businesses and community organizations.

“The collaboration time was quite valuable in understanding the contributions of both entities and their impact. Continued networking allows our team to remain current in what is occurring in our local community and opportunities for our students to get further involved.”

– HPS Administrator

“Trading Places had many meaningful layers for me. As a taxpayer, business owner, and hopeful leader in our community, I appreciated meeting the teachers and the students were wonderful. And getting a glimpse into a busy administrator’s day was eye-opening.”

– Business participant in Trading Places

Trading Places

The next Trading Places will take place March 2028.