Gooding County Schools & Education
Gooding County, Idaho
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
8/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
78.3%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
78.3%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 83.6%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,664
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,288
School Score
8/100
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
#39
of 44 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Gooding County
School Verdict
Gooding County faces educational challenges with a school score of 8/100 and a graduation rate of 78.3%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $5,664 per pupil, Gooding County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Gooding County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 72% below the Idaho average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 5.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 10% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Gooding County, Idaho
A Multi-District Educational Landscape
Gooding County supports 12 public schools managed by six different districts, serving 3,160 students. This unique structure includes three elementary, two middle, and three high schools, along with four 'other' specialized campuses.
Developing Performance in Local Districts
The graduation rate of 78.3% and per-pupil spending of $5,664 both sit slightly below the state averages. However, with a school score of 44.5, the county remains competitive with other rural Idaho regions.
Diversity in District Leadership
The Gooding Joint District (1,244 students) and Wendell District (1,121 students) are the two largest providers. Families can also find one charter school, offering a specialized alternative within the county's diverse district mix.
Rural Charm with Local Hubs
Eight schools are rural while four are in town settings, reflecting the county’s agricultural roots. Gooding Elementary is the largest school with 519 students, while the average school size across the county is 263.
Settling in Gooding or Wendell
Gooding County offers many choices for families across its six school districts. Research homes in the Gooding or Wendell areas to find a community where your children can thrive in a local, rural environment.
School Overview
Total Schools
12
in Gooding County
Total Enrollment
3,160
students
School Districts
6
districts
Charter Schools
1
8% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
6 School Districts in Gooding County
GOODING JOINT DISTRICT
WENDELL DISTRICT
HAGERMAN JOINT DISTRICT
NORTH VALLEY ACADEMY INC.
BLISS JOINT DISTRICT
IDAHO BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR THE DEAF AND THE BL
12 Public Schools in Gooding County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOODING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | GOODING JOINT DISTRICT | PK–5 | Primary | 519 |
| WENDELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | WENDELL DISTRICT | PK–4 | Primary | 458 |
| GOODING HIGH SCHOOL | GOODING JOINT DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 374 |
| HAGERMAN SCHOOL | HAGERMAN JOINT DISTRICT | PK–12 | Other | 356 |
| WENDELL MIDDLE SCHOOL | WENDELL DISTRICT | 5–8 | Middle | 341 |
| GOODING MIDDLE SCHOOL | GOODING JOINT DISTRICT | 6–8 | Middle | 323 |
| WENDELL HIGH SCHOOL | WENDELL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 322 |
| NORTH VALLEY ACADEMY | NORTH VALLEY ACADEMY INC. | KG–12 | Charter | 191 |
| BLISS SCHOOL | BLISS JOINT DISTRICT | PK–12 | Other | 125 |
| IDAHO SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND THE BLIND | IDAHO BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR THE DEAF AND THE BL | PK–12 | Special Education | 100 |
| GOODING ALTERNATIVE LEARING CENTER | GOODING JOINT DISTRICT | 9–12 | Alternative | 28 |
| HAGERMAN VIRTUAL SCHOOL | HAGERMAN JOINT DISTRICT | KG–8 | Primary | 23 |
IDAHO BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR THE DEAF AND THE BL
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,664
State avg $6,288
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Gooding County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Gooding County?
How much does Gooding County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Gooding County, Idaho — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Gooding County, Idaho?
Gooding County supports 12 public schools managed by six different districts, serving 3,160 students. This unique structure includes three elementary, two middle, and three high schools, along with four 'other' specialized campuses.
How do schools in Gooding County perform academically?
The graduation rate of 78.3% and per-pupil spending of $5,664 both sit slightly below the state averages. However, with a school score of 44.5, the county remains competitive with other rural Idaho regions.
What are the major school districts in Gooding County, Idaho?
The Gooding Joint District (1,244 students) and Wendell District (1,121 students) are the two largest providers. Families can also find one charter school, offering a specialized alternative within the county's diverse district mix.
What is the school experience like in Gooding County?
Eight schools are rural while four are in town settings, reflecting the county’s agricultural roots. Gooding Elementary is the largest school with 519 students, while the average school size across the county is 263.
How can I find homes near good schools in Gooding County, Idaho?
Gooding County offers many choices for families across its six school districts. Research homes in the Gooding or Wendell areas to find a community where your children can thrive in a local, rural environment.
Counties with Similar School Profile
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.