Photo: Jyoni Shuler · CC BY-SA 4.0Boise City’s public schools outscore 66% of Idaho districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Boise City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Idaho, not nationally.
From Idaho state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Boise City’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 111 Idaho towns with household incomes within a quarter of Boise City’s, its schools beat 56%, lower than their 66% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 57% and math 46% in spring 2022, against 55% and 42% statewide; 83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 81%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,138 per student, against $11,119 across Idaho (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
32 elementary schools, then ten middle and six high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 12% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Rolling Hills Public Charter, Empower Connections Academy, iSucceed Academy, Sage International School of Boise, Peace Valley Charter School, Cardinal Academy, Pathways in Education - West Ada, Bishop Kelly High School (private), Riverstone International School (private), St. Joseph's Catholic School (private), St. Marks Elementary School (private), Calvary Christian School (private), Sacred Heart Catholic School (private), St. Marys School (private), Montessori Academy on Parkcenter (private), One Stone (private), Boise Valley Adventist School (private), Boise State University Trio Upward Bound (private), The Children's School of Boise (private), Kidz Connection Montessori (private), Learning Tree Inc (private), Wesleyan Preschool & Kindergarten (private), Northview Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten (private), Rose Hill Montessori School (private), Cloverdale Montessori (private), Overland Montessori (private), Montessori School of Boise, Casa Dei Bambini (private) and Hillside Academy (private) are in town. Inspire Virtual Charter School, iSUCCEED VIRTUAL HIGH SCHOOL, Idaho Connects Online Alternative School and Boise Online School - Secondary, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Boise City’s grade
B+: better than 66% of Idaho school districts, #21 of 59 Idaho towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Idaho average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Boise City, with each school’s own grade.
Boise City’s public schools are run by Boise City Independent School District 1, which also serves Garden City. Parts of Boise City (14% of its land) are served by Meridian Joint School District 2 instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Boise City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Idaho towns that share Boise City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Boise City | B+ | Boise City Independent School District 1 |
| Garden City | B+ | Boise City Independent School District 1 |
| Meridian | A− | Meridian Joint School District 2 |
| Eagle | A− | Meridian Joint School District 2 |
Every school in Boise City
91 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Idaho’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Robert Janss School, Ada County Juvenile Center and Dehryl A Dennis Prof-Tech Center).
Questions about Boise City’s schools
Are Boise City’s schools good?
By Idaho’s own tests, yes: the public schools Boise City children attend outscore 66% of Idaho’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #21 of 59 Idaho towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 56%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Boise City in?
Boise City Independent School District 1, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 22,134 students in 52 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Boise City are served by Meridian Joint School District 2.
Where do Boise City kids go to high school?
One of 6 high schools, depending on your address: Boise Senior High School, Borah Senior High School, Timberline High School, Capital Senior High School, Boise Online School - Secondary and Treasure Valley Math/Science.
What is Boise City’s graduation rate?
83% of the class of 2023 in Boise City Independent School District 1 graduated in four years, against 81% across Idaho.
How much does Boise City spend per student?
$14,138 in Boise City Independent School District 1 (FY2024), against $11,119 across Idaho. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Boise City?
Yes: Bishop Kelly High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 967 students), Riverstone International School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 403 students), St. Joseph's Catholic School (Catholic, grades K–8, 367 students), St. Marks Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 356 students), Calvary Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 287 students), Sacred Heart Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 224 students), St. Marys School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 125 students), Montessori Academy on Parkcenter (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 121 students), One Stone (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 87 students), Boise Valley Adventist School (religious, grades PK–8, 81 students), Boise State University Trio Upward Bound (nonsectarian, grades 9–11, 80 students), The Children's School of Boise (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 80 students), Kidz Connection Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 75 students), Learning Tree Inc (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 69 students), Wesleyan Preschool & Kindergarten (religious, grades PK–K, 68 students), Northview Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 63 students), Rose Hill Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 37 students), Cloverdale Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 36 students), Overland Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 28 students), Montessori School of Boise, Casa Dei Bambini (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 27 students) and Hillside Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 15 students). Boise City also has 7 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Boise City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Boise City → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Idaho. Stars are from neighbors.