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6.8 avg / 10

Best Schools in Boise, Idaho

101 schools · 66 Elementary · 12 Middle · 16 High · 7 Other

Public: 77
Private: 24
Districts: 12
Avg Rating: 6.8/10
Estimated Scores: 19%

Family Snapshot

At a glance
Avg school rating
6.8/10

47% of schools rated 7+

Median household income
$86,453

Census ACS, ZIPs in this city

Median home value
$506,850

Owner-occupied units

Bachelor's degree or higher
49%

Adults 25+

Avg commute
20 min

Workers age 16+

Owner-occupied homes
65%

Of occupied housing units

How Boise compares

Idaho rank

#21 of 71

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

+0.5

above Idaho avg (6.3)

Median household income

$86k

122% of Idaho median

Schools in this city

88

About Schools in Boise, Idaho

Boise's public school system spans 73 ranked schools, giving parents a meaningful pool to evaluate. The city average sits at 6.7 out of 10 — but that number undersells the top of the market. Nearly half of all ranked schools, 34 out of 73 or 47%, score 7 or higher. That share above the 7-point line gives Boise a depth of competitive options that the citywide average alone doesn't convey.

The strongest schools are concentrated at the elementary level. Washington Elementary and Liberty Elementary both score 9.1 out of 10 — the highest ratings in the city. Adams Elementary, White Pine Elementary, and Eliza Hart Spalding STEM Academy each reach 8.8. All five top-ranked schools are elementary schools, so families with younger children have the richest set of choices to compare. Eliza Hart Spalding adds a STEM-focused curriculum track to that tier, offering a differentiated path starting at the elementary level.

Performance is less consistent as grade levels rise. The 6.7 average reflects a substantial middle tier — schools that are solid without breaking into the upper quarter of performers. Parents researching middle or high schools should compare school-level scores directly rather than relying on district-wide reputation. The spread between the city's highest-rated schools at 9.1 and the average school is significant, and which attendance zone a family lands in can make a material difference in outcomes.

Practical takeaway: research boundaries before you commit to a neighborhood. The 9.1-rated Washington and Liberty schools are the benchmarks — measure every other school against them. For families drawn to a STEM-focused curriculum, Eliza Hart Spalding is the dedicated option at the 8.8 tier. With 47% of Boise's ranked schools scoring 7 or above, the city's academic floor is real — but the strongest schools are concentrated in specific attendance zones, and mapping those zones early is worth the effort.

Elementary Schools

66 schools
# School Rating
1 267 students · Pre-K–6th 9.1
2 428 students · Pre-K–6th 9.0
3 309 students · Pre-K–5th 8.9
4 240 students · Pre-K–6th 8.6
5 308 students · Pre-K–6th 8.6
6 543 students · Pre-K–6th 8.6
7 407 students · Pre-K–5th 8.5
8 649 students · Pre-K–5th 8.5
9 271 students · Pre-K–5th 8.2
10 280 students · Pre-K–6th 8.0
11 460 students · Kindergarten–5th 8.0
12 278 students · Pre-K–6th 7.8
13 242 students · Pre-K–6th 7.7
14 384 students · Pre-K–6th 7.6
15 644 students · Pre-K–5th 7.6
16 348 students · Pre-K–5th 7.6
17 354 students · Pre-K–6th 7.5
18 274 students · Pre-K–6th 7.4
19 289 students · Pre-K–6th 7.4
20 490 students · Pre-K–6th 7.3
21 312 students · Pre-K–6th 7.2
22 33 students · Kindergarten–6th 7.1
23 506 students · Pre-K–5th 7.0
24 242 students · Pre-K–5th 6.9
25 369 students · Pre-K–5th 6.9
Show 41 more elementary schools
26 357 students · Pre-K–5th 6.8
27 392 students · Pre-K–6th 6.7
28 368 students · Pre-K–6th 6.6
29 531 students · Pre-K–6th 6.6
30 447 students · Pre-K–6th 6.5
31 231 students · Kindergarten–8th 6.4
32 273 students · Pre-K–6th 6.4
33 257 students · Pre-K–6th 6.2
34 247 students · Pre-K–6th 6.2
35 375 students · Pre-K–6th 6.1
36 520 students · Pre-K–6th 5.9
37 222 students · Pre-K–6th 5.8
38 429 students · Pre-K–6th 5.8
39 288 students · Pre-K–6th 5.7
40 245 students · Pre-K–5th 5.6
41 216 students · Pre-K–6th 5.5
42 497 students · Pre-K–5th 5.3
43 259 students · Kindergarten–8th 5.1
44 485 students · Pre-K–6th 5.1
45 318 students · Pre-K–6th 5.1
46 303 students · Pre-K–6th 4.5
47 148 students · Pre-K–6th 4.5
Private Schools 19 schools

Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.

1 141 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
2 48 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
3 327 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
4 185 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
5 40 students · Pre-K–6th Not Rated
6 178 students · Pre-K–7th Not Rated
7 403 students · Kindergarten–8th Not Rated
8 68 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
9 35 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten Not Rated
10 35 students · Pre-K–6th Not Rated
11 27 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten Not Rated
12 20 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten Not Rated
13 9 students · Pre-K–1st Not Rated
14 5 students · Kindergarten–7th Not Rated
15 7 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten Not Rated
16 15 students · Pre-K–2nd Not Rated
17 7 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten Not Rated
18 14 students · Pre-K–TK Not Rated
19 19 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten Not Rated

Middle Schools

12 schools
# School Rating
1 668 students · 6th–9th 8.4
2 924 students · 7th–9th 8.3
3 594 students · 7th–9th 7.9
4 34 students · 7th–8th 7.6
5 560 students · 7th–9th 7.0
6 794 students · 6th–8th 6.8
7 520 students · 7th–9th 6.3
8 595 students · 7th–9th 6.1
9 746 students · 7th–9th 5.8
10 1,015 students · 6th–8th 5.6
11 633 students · 7th–9th 5.1
12 7 students · 7th–8th

High Schools

16 schools
# School Rating
1 1,162 students · 9th–12th 8.5
2 1,391 students · 10th–12th 8.2
3 1,517 students · 9th–12th 7.9
4 1,295 students · 9th–12th 7.1
5 171 students · 6th–12th 6.4
6 386 students · 7th–12th 6.4
7 1,770 students · 9th–12th 6.3
8 932 students · 7th–12th 4.8
9 591 students · 9th–12th 4.7
10 278 students · 7th–12th 4.6
11 151 students · 6th–12th 4.5
12 292 students · 9th–12th 4.0
13 46 students · 9th–12th
14 9 students · 5th–12th
Private Schools 2 schools

Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.

1 945 students · 9th–12th Not Rated
2 548 students · 7th–12th Not Rated

Other Schools

7 schools
# School Rating
1 1,022 students · Kindergarten–12th 8.2
2 32 students · Pre-K–Pre-K 7.7
3 1,150 students · Kindergarten–12th 4.2
4 6 students · 4th–12th
Private Schools 3 schools

Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.

1 352 students · Pre-K–12th Not Rated
2
ONE STONE Private
118 students · UG–UG
Not Rated
3 39 students · 1st–10th Not Rated

Schools in Boise

Boise, Idaho · 101 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 10 ZIP codes

Median Income

$86,453

Median Home Value

$506,850

Median Rent

$1,458/mo

Population

292,693

College Educated

49%

Homeownership

65%

Avg Commute

20 min

Poverty Rate

9.8%

Community Profile

Boise has a median household income of $86,453. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $506,850, with a median rent of $1,458/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State
Idaho
Total Schools
101
Elementary
66
Middle
12
High
16
Districts
12
Avg Rating
6.8/10

Other Major Cities in Idaho

Top metros statewide by school count.

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Boise, Idaho

How many schools are in Boise, Idaho?

Boise has 101 schools, including 77 public and 24 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Boise, Idaho?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Boise is 6.8 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Boise, Idaho?

The top-ranked school in Boise on MySchoolScout is Washington Elementary School with a composite score of 9.1/10.

What is the best elementary school in Boise, Idaho?

The top-ranked elementary school in Boise on MySchoolScout is Washington Elementary School with a composite score of 9.1/10.

What is the best middle school in Boise, Idaho?

The top-ranked middle school in Boise on MySchoolScout is Les Bois Junior High School with a composite score of 8.4/10.

What is the best high school in Boise, Idaho?

The top-ranked high school in Boise on MySchoolScout is Capital Senior High School with a composite score of 8.5/10.

How many school districts serve Boise, Idaho?

Boise is served by 12 school districts: Rolling Hills Public Charter School Inc., Inspire Academics Inc., Isucceed Virtual High School Inc., Idaho Virtual Education Partners Inc., The Sage International School of Boise a Public Charter Sch, Peace Valley Charter School Inc., Cardinal Academy Incorporated, Boise Independent District, Joint School District No. 2, Minidoka County Joint District, Mountain Home District, Sugar-salem Joint District.

What is the education level in Boise, Idaho?

According to Census data, 49% of adults in Boise have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Boise, Idaho?

The median household income in Boise is approximately $86,453 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Boise, Idaho?

Yes, Boise has 24 private schools alongside 77 public schools. The top-rated private school is Riverstone International School with a score of 8.4/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Boise, Idaho?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Boise is 14.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Boise, Idaho?

MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.

Related reading

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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Idaho Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.