Best Schools in Payette, Idaho
7 schools · 2 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Payette?
Use this page to compare every school in Payette 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.
River of Life Christian School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Mccain Middle School
Middle · Payette Joint District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Payette High School
High · Payette Joint District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Payette for 2026 are River of Life Christian School (8.2/10), Mccain Middle School (5.6/10), and Payette High School (5.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.0
out of 10
Median Home
$273,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.0
out of 10
Median Home
$273,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Payette
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | River of Life Christian School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Mccain Middle School | 5.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Payette High School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Payette Academy | 4.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Payette Primary School | 4.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Westside Elementary School | 2.9 / 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
- 5.0/10
- Median household income
- $60,444
- Median home value
- $273,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 13%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 64%
17% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Payette compares
Idaho rank
#61 of 71
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.2
below Idaho avg (6.3)
Median household income
$60k
85% of Idaho median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Payette, Idaho
Payette, Idaho is home to 7 schools, including 5 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.0 out of 10, schools in Payette show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Payette is River of Life Christian School with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Payette is served by 1 school district: PAYETTE JOINT DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 1,359 students.
Payette's community shows 13% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $60,444. The poverty rate in the area is 10.9%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 445 students · Pre-K–3rd | 4.0 |
| 2 | 209 students · 4th–5th | 2.9 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 291 students · 6th–8th | 5.6 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 11 students · 2nd–8th | — | ||
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 364 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 |
| 2 | 50 students · 6th–12th | 4.2 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | River of Life Christian School
Private
54 students · Pre-K–12th | 8.2 |
Schools in Payette
Payette, Idaho · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$60,444
Median Home Value
$273,400
Median Rent
$852/mo
Population
10,788
College Educated
13%
Homeownership
64%
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Community Profile
Payette has a median household income of $60,444. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $273,400, with a median rent of $852/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Idaho
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
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 Payette, Idaho
How many schools are in Payette, Idaho?
Payette has 7 schools, including 5 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Payette, Idaho?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Payette is 5.0 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 Payette, Idaho?
The top-ranked school in Payette on MySchoolScout is River of Life Christian School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Payette, Idaho?
The top-ranked elementary school in Payette on MySchoolScout is Payette Primary School with a composite score of 4.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Payette, Idaho?
The top-ranked middle school in Payette on MySchoolScout is Mccain Middle School with a composite score of 5.6/10.
What is the best high school in Payette, Idaho?
The top-ranked high school in Payette on MySchoolScout is Payette High School with a composite score of 5.3/10.
How many school districts serve Payette, Idaho?
Payette is served by 1 school district: Payette Joint District.
What is the education level in Payette, Idaho?
According to Census data, 13% of adults in Payette have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Payette, Idaho?
The median household income in Payette is approximately $60,444 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Payette, Idaho?
Yes, Payette has 2 private schools alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is River of Life Christian School with a score of 8.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Payette, Idaho?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Payette is 16.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Payette, 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.