Photo: Tamanoeconomico · CC BY-SA 4.0Payette’s public schools score below 86% of Idaho districts on tests and graduation
28% of students in Payette’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Idaho average (42%). The grade covers the public school district serving Payette, 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 100% 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.
Payette’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 28% in math, against 55% and 42% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
70–74% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 81% across Idaho (the state reports Payette’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending, and where it came from
The district spent $11,867 per student in FY2024, against $11,119 across Idaho. 24% of its revenue that year was federal (Idaho 12%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 5 the district’s path is McCain Middle School, then Payette High School. Enrollment is up 18% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
River of Life Christian School (private) and Treasure Valley Seventh-Day Adventist School (private) are in town. 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 Payette’s grade
D: better than 14% of Idaho school districts, #57 of 59 Idaho towns. Both inputs trail the Idaho average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Payette, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Payette
Payette Primary School
Grades PK–4 · 477 students · 19:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Payette
Payette Primary School
Grades PK–4 · 477 students · 19:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Payette
Payette Primary School
Grades PK–4 · 477 students · 19:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Payette
Payette Primary School
Grades PK–4 · 477 students · 19:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Payette
Payette Primary School
Grades PK–4 · 477 students · 19:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Payette
McCain Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 375 students · 16:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Payette
McCain Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 375 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Payette
McCain Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 375 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Payette
McCain Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 375 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Payette
Payette High School
Grades 9–12 · 319 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Payette
Payette High School
Grades 9–12 · 319 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Payette
Payette High School
Grades 9–12 · 319 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Payette
Payette High School
Grades 9–12 · 319 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Payette’s public schools are run by Payette Joint School District 371. 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.
Well below the state in reading
Payette vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Idaho towns that share Payette’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Payette | D | Payette Joint School District 371 |
Every school in Payette
6 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).
Questions about Payette’s schools
Are Payette’s schools good?
On Idaho’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Payette children attend score below 86% of Idaho’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #57 of 59 Idaho towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 12%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Payette in?
Payette Joint School District 371, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,274 students in 4 schools (2024–25).
Where do Payette kids go to high school?
Payette High School, with 319 students; its own test results earn a D.
What is Payette’s graduation rate?
70–74% of the class of 2023 in Payette Joint School District 371 graduated in four years, against 81% across Idaho.
How much does Payette spend per student?
$11,867 in Payette Joint School District 371 (FY2024), against $11,119 across Idaho. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Payette?
Yes: River of Life Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 43 students) and Treasure Valley Seventh-Day Adventist School (religious, grades 1–8, 12 students).
Parents talk
What Payette families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Payette → 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.