Dodson Public School is located in the small, quaint town of Dodson, Montana, located three miles from the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation on mile marker 455. In north central Montana, the land area for Dodson is approximately 0.19 square miles, and the nearest town is 17 miles away. Surrounded by grassy plains and rolling hills in the distance, Dodson is surrounded by peaceful scenery and the value of a small community.

Dodson was established in 1890 and named for a merchant who owned a store and bar there around the time the Great Northern Railway came to town. The first post office opened in 1891 and by the 1920’s, Dodson’s population was approximately 365. The population has a current population of 124.

The small population does not prevent people from participating in fun events such as festivals, sports, and hobbies. The main festivity in Dodson is the annual fair in August. It is one of the longest-running fairs in Montana and includes a rodeo and concert. The school offers many extracurricular sports, such as football, cross country, basketball, and track and field. Many residents enjoy watching the students compete. Aside from sports, students and community members also spend time working in the community garden.

Outdoor hobbies, such as hunting and fishing, are closely linked to the dry climate and flat geography of Dodson. They allow many residents of Dodson to hunt antelope and deer on the terrain, full of beautiful muted grays, greens, and yellows, when the appropriate hunting seasons are open. When people are not hunting, they are usually fishing for pike and walleye in the Milk River which runs closely to Dodson.

Just as the community is close knit and welcoming, so are the staff and students of Dodson School. The staff at Dodson School is one of the most supportive and caring staff on the Hi-Line. The staff act as family to one another, helping each other both inside and outside of the classroom. The student population is small, with approximately 39 students enrolled in grades K-6, 19 students in grades 7-8, and 25 students in grades 9-12. 94% of students are Native American, as most are enrolled in the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine tribes. Such class sizes are preferable, as teachers have a unique opportunity to get to truly know their students while teaching the subjects they love.