Best Schools in Caldwell, Idaho
31 schools · 14 Elementary · 5 Middle · 8 High · 4 Other
Choosing a school in Caldwell?
Use this page to compare every school in Caldwell by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Thomas Jefferson Charter
Other · Thomas Jefferson Charter School Inc.. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
West Canyon Elementary School
Elementary · Vallivue School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Central Canyon Elementary School
Elementary · Vallivue School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Caldwell for 2026 are Thomas Jefferson Charter (8.1/10), West Canyon Elementary School (8.1/10), and Central Canyon Elementary School (7.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 26 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
31
28 public · 3 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$351,900
home value · ACS
Districts
10
serving the city
Schools
31
28 public · 3 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$351,900
home value · ACS
Districts
10
serving the city
Rates 8.1/10 despite 47% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.0 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Caldwell schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Caldwell
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 26 rated schools; 31 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thomas Jefferson Charter | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | West Canyon Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Central Canyon Elementary School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Mosaics Public School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Notus Jr/sr High School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Vision Charter School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 7 | Skyway Elementary | 6.7 / 10 |
| 8 | Elevate Academy | 6.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Vallivue Middle School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 10 | Vallivue Academy | 6.3 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.7/10
- Median household income
- $71,040
- Median home value
- $351,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74%
21% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Caldwell compares
Idaho rank
#51 of 73
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Idaho avg (6.3)
Median household income
$71k
100% of Idaho median
Schools in this city
29
10 districts draw attendance lines through Caldwell
Caldwell is not one school system. 10 districts cut across the city limits, and the largest still holds only 39% of the public campuses.
Caldwell District is the largest slice at 11 of 28 public schools — not a majority. Choosing a Caldwell address is choosing a district first.
Among 26 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.3 to 8.1 — the spread is inside Caldwell, not a citywide average.
6 of the 28 public schools are charters (21%), so the district split is not the whole market.
- Caldwell District11 public · 39%
- Vallivue School District8 public · 29%
- Notus District2 public · 7%
- Elevate Academy Inc.1 public · 4%
- Elevate Academy Nampa Llc1 public · 4%
About Schools in Caldwell, Idaho
Caldwell, Idaho has 26 ranked public schools, spanning elementary through high school. Performance across the city averages 5.6 out of 10 — a number that reflects genuine spread from strong performers at the top to lower-scoring schools below the midpoint. The range matters here: where you land in the city's school zones makes a real difference.
Six of Caldwell's 26 ranked schools, or 23%, score 7 or above. Parents who research assignments carefully can reach above-average options without leaving the city. West Canyon Elementary tops the list at 8.2 out of 10 — the city's highest-rated school and a standout in the elementary tier. Central Canyon Elementary follows at 7.3, and Mosaics Public School scores 7.1. All three of the city's top elementary schools clear the 7-point mark, signaling that the primary grades are Caldwell's strongest performance band.
At the secondary level, Vallivue High School scores 7.2 out of 10 — the top-rated high school in the city and a competitive option for families thinking ahead. Thomas Jefferson Charter rounds out the 7+ group at 7.1, offering an alternative school structure for families who want something outside the traditional model. Below these six schools the field narrows considerably; with 20 schools scoring below 7 and an overall city average of 5.6, assignment to a lower-scoring school is the statistical default for most Caldwell families.
That makes active planning essential. Families with young children have the clearest path to strong schools — West Canyon and Central Canyon are the priority targets if attendance zones allow. Middle school families have fewer 7+ options, so verifying scores on individual middle campuses is worth the extra step. For high school, Vallivue's 7.2 rating holds up well. Charter options like Thomas Jefferson and Mosaics give families a legitimate fallback if their assigned traditional school scores lower. Check current attendance boundaries directly with the school system, since zone lines can shift and decisions made early carry the most leverage.
Elementary Schools
14 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 378 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 |
| 2 | 730 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.3 |
| 3 | 468 students · Kindergarten–7th | 7.1 |
| 4 | 755 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.7 |
| 5 | 472 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.5 |
| 6 | 187 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.0 |
| 7 | 536 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.9 |
| 8 | 414 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.2 |
| 9 | 508 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.0 |
| 10 | 387 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.6 |
Show all 14 elementary schools in Caldwell
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 672 students · 6th–8th | 6.3 |
| 2 | 842 students · 6th–8th | 5.6 |
| 3 | 581 students · 6th–8th | 5.4 |
| 4 | 769 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 |
| 5 | 552 students · 6th–8th | 4.7 |
High Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 144 students · 7th–12th | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | 491 students · 6th–12th | 6.6 | ||
| 3 | 116 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 | ||
| 4 | 1,247 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 5 | 1,394 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 | ||
| 6 | 182 students · 9th–12th | 3.8 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Gem State Adventist AcademyPrivate 78 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Gem State Adventist AcademyPrivate 83 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 375 students · Kindergarten–12th | 8.1 |
| 2 | 742 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.7 |
| 3 | 413 students · 6th–11th | — |
| 4 | 24 students · 1st–12th | — |
Schools in Caldwell
Caldwell, Idaho · 31 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$71,040
Median Home Value
$351,900
Median Rent
$1,264/mo
Population
115,258
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Community Profile
Caldwell has a median household income of $71,040. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $351,900, with a median rent of $1,264/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Idaho
- Elementary
- 14
- Middle
- 5
- High
- 8
- Other
- 4
Resources
School Districts (10)
VISION CHARTER SCHOOL INC.
1 school · 742 students
HERITAGE COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL INC.
1 school · 491 students
ELEVATE ACADEMY INC.
1 school · 491 students
MOSAICS PUBLIC SCHOOL INC.
1 school · 468 students
THOMAS JEFFERSON CHARTER SCHOOL INC.
1 school · 375 students
ELEVATE ACADEMY NAMPA LLC
1 school · 413 students
CALDWELL DISTRICT
11 schools · 5,394 students
VALLIVUE SCHOOL DISTRICT
13 schools · 10,014 students
MIDDLETON DISTRICT
6 schools · 4,312 students
NOTUS DISTRICT
2 schools · 331 students
Other Major Cities in Idaho
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Caldwell, Idaho
How many schools are in Caldwell, Idaho?
Caldwell has 31 schools, including 28 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Caldwell, Idaho?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Caldwell is 5.7 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Caldwell, Idaho?
The top-ranked school in Caldwell on MySchoolScout is Thomas Jefferson Charter with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Caldwell, Idaho?
The top-ranked elementary school in Caldwell on MySchoolScout is West Canyon Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Caldwell, Idaho?
The top-ranked middle school in Caldwell on MySchoolScout is Vallivue Middle School with a composite score of 6.3/10.
What is the best high school in Caldwell, Idaho?
The top-ranked high school in Caldwell on MySchoolScout is Notus Jr/sr High School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
How many school districts serve Caldwell, Idaho?
Caldwell is served by 10 school districts: Vision Charter School Inc., Heritage Community Charter School Inc., Elevate Academy Inc., Mosaics Public School Inc., Thomas Jefferson Charter School Inc., Elevate Academy Nampa Llc, Caldwell District, Vallivue School District, Middleton District, Notus District.
What is the education level in Caldwell, Idaho?
According to Census data, 21% of adults in Caldwell have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Caldwell, Idaho?
The median household income in Caldwell is approximately $71,040 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Caldwell, Idaho?
Yes, Caldwell has 3 private schools alongside 28 public schools. The top-rated private school is Gem State Adventist Academy with a score of 7.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Caldwell, Idaho?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Caldwell is 16.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Caldwell, 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 built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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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.