Boise County Schools & Education

Boise County, Idaho

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

26/100

Higher = better

Rating

Below Average

Graduation Rate

78.7%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

78.7%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 83.6%

Per-Pupil Spending

$7,207

National avg $13,239

State avg $6,288

School Score

26/100

Higher = better

State avg 28/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#21

of 44 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Boise County

School Verdict

Boise County faces educational challenges with a school score of 26/100 and a graduation rate of 78.7%, falling below typical benchmarks.

Funding Context

At $7,207 per pupil, Boise County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Boise County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 6% below the Idaho average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 4.9 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 15% higher than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Boise County, Idaho

Education in the Mountains of Boise County

Boise County manages a compact system of 6 public schools serving 837 students across three districts. The landscape includes 3 elementary schools, 2 high schools, and 1 combined PK-12 facility. There are currently no charter schools, keeping the focus on local district community hubs.

Rural Investment Above State Averages

The county spends $7,207 per student, notably higher than the Idaho state average of $6,288. However, the graduation rate currently sits at 78.7%, which is lower than the state benchmark of 83.6%. These metrics combine for a composite school score of 48.0, matching the state average.

Basin, Garden Valley, and Horseshoe Bend

The Basin School District is the largest of the three, serving 336 students across two schools. Garden Valley District and Horseshoe Bend School District manage the remaining student population, with Garden Valley's K-12 school being the largest single campus. Each district functions as a vital center for its respective mountain community.

Exclusively Rural Learning Environments

Every single school in Boise County is located in a rural setting, offering students a true small-town educational experience. Garden Valley School is the largest campus with 272 students, while the countywide average school size is a very intimate 140. This environment allows for highly personalized attention and a quiet learning atmosphere.

Find Your Home in a Quiet District

Families seeking to escape the bustle of the city will find Boise County’s rural schools incredibly peaceful. Homes in Idaho City, Garden Valley, or Horseshoe Bend offer close proximity to these small-scale, community-focused campuses. Consider the unique benefits of a 140-student average school size when planning your move.

School Overview

Total Schools

6

in Boise County

Total Enrollment

837

students

School Districts

3

districts

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary3
Middle0
High2
Other1

3 School Districts in Boise County

BASIN SCHOOL DISTRICT

2 schools
336 students

GARDEN VALLEY DISTRICT

2 schools
276 students

HORSESHOE BEND SCHOOL DISTRICT

2 schools
225 students

6 Public Schools in Boise County

GARDEN VALLEY SCHOOL

GARDEN VALLEY DISTRICT

PK–12Other272 students
BASIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

BASIN SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–6Primary181 students
IDAHO CITY HIGH SCHOOL

BASIN SCHOOL DISTRICT

7–12High155 students
HORSESHOE BEND MIDDLE/SR HIGH

HORSESHOE BEND SCHOOL DISTRICT

6–12High118 students
HORSESHOE BEND ELEMENTARY

HORSESHOE BEND SCHOOL DISTRICT

PK–5Primary107 students
LOWMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

GARDEN VALLEY DISTRICT

PK–6Primary4 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$7,207

State avg $6,288

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Boise County rate?
Boise County has a school score of 26/100, which is considered below average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Boise County?
The high school graduation rate in Boise County is 78.7%, which is below the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Boise County spend per student?
Boise County spends $7,207 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Boise County, Idaho — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Boise County, Idaho?

Boise County manages a compact system of 6 public schools serving 837 students across three districts. The landscape includes 3 elementary schools, 2 high schools, and 1 combined PK-12 facility. There are currently no charter schools, keeping the focus on local district community hubs.

How do schools in Boise County perform academically?

The county spends $7,207 per student, notably higher than the Idaho state average of $6,288. However, the graduation rate currently sits at 78.7%, which is lower than the state benchmark of 83.6%. These metrics combine for a composite school score of 48.0, matching the state average.

What are the major school districts in Boise County, Idaho?

The Basin School District is the largest of the three, serving 336 students across two schools. Garden Valley District and Horseshoe Bend School District manage the remaining student population, with Garden Valley's K-12 school being the largest single campus. Each district functions as a vital center for its respective mountain community.

What is the school experience like in Boise County?

Every single school in Boise County is located in a rural setting, offering students a true small-town educational experience. Garden Valley School is the largest campus with 272 students, while the countywide average school size is a very intimate 140. This environment allows for highly personalized attention and a quiet learning atmosphere.

How can I find homes near good schools in Boise County, Idaho?

Families seeking to escape the bustle of the city will find Boise County’s rural schools incredibly peaceful. Homes in Idaho City, Garden Valley, or Horseshoe Bend offer close proximity to these small-scale, community-focused campuses. Consider the unique benefits of a 140-student average school size when planning your move.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.