2024 Best Middle Schools in Idaho

Everything You Need to Know About Navigating Middle Schools In Idaho

Middle school is a pivotal period in every student’s education, and the state of Idaho has a substantial amount of middle schools to choose from, with a total of 457 spread throughout cities like Boise, Idaho Falls, Meridian, Nampa and Caldwell. Comparatively, this is about 44% less than the average state, however when adjusted for population, Idaho actually has 21% more per capita than the average state. This means there are plenty of great options for parents to choose from. On average middle schools in the state score a B–, which aligns with the national average. The typical middle school size in Idaho is 349 students, which falls slightly under the national average by about 15%, which can mean the state offers an environment that is more intimate than most places. Nearly half of all Idaho middle schools fall above the national average (47%), which gives parents a wide range of options when looking for the right school. Average student to teacher ratio sits at 16:1, which is 14% higher than the national average class size.

Key Facts About Public Middle Schools in Idaho

When families look at public schools as an option they will find 360 different choices across the state. That puts Idaho at 12th per capita in terms of volume, which is 41% above the national average — so there are plenty of options here. The grade quality for these public schools slightly better than expected with the typical school scoring a B–. The average public school class size is 352 students, which is 14% above national averages.

Traditional Public Middle Schools

As is typical across most states, traditional public schools are prevalent. These make up about 85% of all public schools in Idaho and come in with an average grade of B–, similar to its public school peers. That said there are still 164 traditional public middle schools that exceed the national average in terms of quality rating, which equates to about 53%. It's also worth noting that average class size for traditional public schools is 17% below the nation (339 vs 409).

What is the Best Traditional Public Middle School in Idaho?

In terms of which traditional public middle school stands out amongst its peers, Troy Elementary School is widely considered one of the top contenders. With an A grade and 148 students it's easy to see why this small town close to Spokane Washington has generated such positive reviews from parents and educators alike. The student to teacher ratio here is 15:1, as opposed to the national average being 14:1, so Troy Elementary School can run slightly large — sitting about 7% fewer students per teacher than most other middle schools in America.

All About Charter Schools in Idaho

Charter schools are another popular option for parents looking for something outside the standard public system. There are 45 charter school options across Idaho, which puts it 10th per capita when compared against other states — so not ideal but still enough choices to get through — especially considering 62% of those 45 charter schools score above the national average in terms of quality rating. In terms of school size however, charter schools in this state tend to be larger than your typical school with an average class size being about 6% bigger than most other states (435 vs 409).

What is the best charter middle school in Idaho?

In terms of quality rating, Falcon Ridge Public Charter School in Kuna tops out amongst its peers with a A+ grade and 274 students on campus. This makes it a good option if you’re looking for an alternative approach to public education and want something that could be considered small town charm — although that can vary depending on your definition. Either way Falcon Ridge Public Charter School comes with an 18:1 student teacher ratio compared to America’s overall 14:1, which yields a 29% larger class size on average vs. the typical middle school, so parents should be sure to understand related implications with their child's learning style.

Deep Dive on magnet middle schools in Idaho

Magnet schools are another popular option for parents seeking something outside the traditional system or charter model. There are eight magnet-style middle schools across the state, putting it 19th per capita when compared against other states — so not ideal but still some options available for parents considering these types of models for their children’s education needs and wants. Unfortunately magnet schools don't quite rate as well as some other models when it comes to quality ratings, but still scoring slightly above the national aveage with a solid B grade in the state.