Best Idaho Public Schools

Idaho is the #39 largest school system in the United States, serving 314,729 students across the 799 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 167 private schools, serving 21,612 students). 94% of all K-12 students in Idaho attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Idaho is 41%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 55%.
Minority enrollment is 28%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 18:1.

Top-Ranked Public Schools in Idaho (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Renaissance High School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1307 East Central Drive
Meridian, ID 83642
(208) 350-4380
Rank: #22.
North Idaho Stem Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 88% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-12
15633 North Meyer Road
Rathdrum, ID 83858
(208) 687-8002
Rank: #33.
Coeur D'alene Charter Academy School
Charter School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 86% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-12
4904 North Duncan Drive
Coeur D Alene, ID 83815
(208) 676-1667
Rank: #44.
Meridian Technical Charter High School
Vocational School
Charter School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
3800 North Locust Grove Road
Meridian, ID 83646
(208) 288-2928
Rank: #55.
Sorensen Magnet School Of The Arts And Humanities
Magnet School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
311 North 9th Street
Coeur D Alene, ID 83814
(208) 664-2822
Rank: #66.
Paramount Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 86% (Top 1%)
Reading: 82% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
550 West Producer Drive
Meridian, ID 83646
(208) 350-4120
Rank: #77.
Galileo Stem Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
Math: 80% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-8
4735 West Saguaro Drive
Eagle, ID 83616
(208) 350-4105
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Edahow Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Math: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
2020 Pocatello Creek Road
Pocatello, ID 83201
(208) 233-1844
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Highlands Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Math: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-6
3434 Bogus Basin Road
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 854-5050
Rank: #1010.
Meridian Medical Arts Charter
Vocational School
Charter School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
Math: 70-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1789 East Heritage Park Lane
Meridian, ID 83646
(208) 855-4075

Overview

This State (ID)
US
# Schools
799 Schools
100,280 Schools
# Students
314,729 Students
49,274,194 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
17,458 Teachers
3,176,891 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
15:1

Student By Grade

State Acdeamy

State Average (ID)
National Average
41%
41%
52%
47%
41%
43%
81.1%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
32%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
7%
5%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.44
0.71
# American Indian Students
3,454 Students
465,609 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
# Asian Students
3,564 Students
2,805,352 Students
% Asian Students
1%
6%
# Hispanic Students
64,876 Students
14,933,214 Students
% Hispanic Students
21%
30%
# Black Students
3,786 Students
7,261,972 Students
% Black Students
1%
15%
# White Students
227,062 Students
20,989,427 Students
% White Students
72%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
1,119 Students
196,828 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
10,868 Students
2,585,806 Students
% of Two or more races Students
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups

State Revenue and Spending

This State (ID)
Statewide Total Revenue
$3,754 MM
Statewide Total Spending
$3,545 MM
Revenue / Student
$11,927
Spending / Student
$11,263

Best Idaho Public Schools by County (2026-27)

County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
152
78,550
25%
3
430
10%
34
14,295
22%
7
1,437
6%
9
1,414
37%
37
11,628
27%
9
3,343
49%
6
821
9%
19
4,906
11%
55
26,477
23%
5
1,362
13%
3
390
12%
2
168
10%
85
42,303
44%
9
1,536
9%
19
5,565
37%
2
109
58%
7
1,061
13%
5
551
12%
17
4,590
35%
8
3,212
12%
10
2,252
21%
9
2,566
20%
12
3,095
45%
9
1,718
11%
18
8,046
15%
11
4,754
59%
52
22,630
14%
24
6,640
19%
8
935
6%
5
727
23%
6
906
46%
17
7,379
13%
10
4,360
48%
19
5,328
21%
6
8,705
16%
9
2,351
35%
12
4,273
31%
7
1,726
50%
7
1,592
7%
7
1,915
34%
41
16,173
30%
8
1,659
12%
8
1,815
26%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Idaho?
How many public schools are located in Idaho?
799 public schools are located in Idaho.
What percentage of students in Idaho go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Idaho attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Idaho?
Minority enrollment in Idaho is 28%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in Idaho are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

How Often Does Your Child's School Change Teachers Between Grade Levels?
How Often Does Your Child's School Change Teachers Between Grade Levels?
Learn how teacher movement between grade levels affects continuity, experience, instruction, and school stability, plus the questions parents should ask about staffing patterns before choosing a public school today.
The School Pickup Test: What Arrival and Dismissal Reveal About a Public School
The School Pickup Test: What Arrival and Dismissal Reveal About a Public School
Discover what school arrival and dismissal reveal about safety, supervision, organization, communication, student behavior, transportation, and school climate before choosing the right public school for your child and family.
Should Siblings Attend the Same Public School?
Should Siblings Attend the Same Public School?
Should siblings attend the same public school? Learn when academic needs, learning styles, programs, social fit, support services, and individual interests may make different schools better choices for children.