Very Good
#233 of 719 schools in ID
Top 32% in state
Cottonwood Elementary
Elementary School · JEFFERSON COUNTY JOINT DISTRICT
3955 EAST 200 NORTH, Rigby, ID 83442
Enrollment
654
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
654
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rigby
#4 of 8
public schools
Idaho elementary schools
#151 of 371
In district
#5 of 11
JEFFERSON COUNTY JOINT DISTRICT
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Cottonwood Elementary
Cottonwood Elementary in Rigby, Idaho, is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 654 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21.1:1, the school benefits from the presence of 31 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a rural setting near the town of Rigby, Cottonwood Elementary focuses on nurturing young minds with a variety of educational programs.
According to MySchoolScout ratings, Cottonwood Elementary scores an overall rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks as the 383rd best school among Idaho's 732 schools, placing it in the 48th percentile. Academically, students perform at a level where 42% are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 44% reach proficiency or higher in Math. Although these scores indicate room for improvement, Cottonwood Elementary remains dedicated to supporting student development and growth.
Cottonwood Elementary is situated in a rural area that offers a close-knit community atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary is 21.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Cottonwood Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Cottonwood Elementary — Students at Cottonwood Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores ID EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from ID state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.
How Cottonwood Elementary Compares
See how Cottonwood Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 41% (2021) to 46% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 41% (2021) to 43% (2022).
Location
3955 EAST 200 NORTH, Rigby, ID 83442
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cottonwood Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Idaho Falls), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, SOUTH FORK ELEMENTARY (rated 7.4/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Rexburg), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Rigby, see our Rigby schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| JEFFERSON SCHOOL DISTRICT 251 EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Rigby | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| HARWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rigby | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| RIGBY HIGH SCHOOL Rigby | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| SOUTH FORK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rigby | 1.8 mi | 4.0 |
| RIGBY MIDDLE SCHOOL Rigby | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rigby | 2.7 mi | 8.3 |
| FARNSWORTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Rigby | 2.8 mi | 8.6 |
| UCON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Idaho Falls | 4.8 mi | 3.7 |
| JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL Menan | 5.8 mi | 5.7 |
| MIDWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Menan | 6.2 mi | 4.3 |
| SOUTH FORK ELEMENTARY Rexburg | 6.7 mi | 7.4 |
| FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Idaho Falls | 7.2 mi | 7.6 |
| IONA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Iona | 9.2 mi | 5.2 |
| SPECIAL SERVICES CENTER Idaho Falls | 9.3 mi | — |
| TECHNICAL CAREERS HIGH SCHOOL Idaho Falls | 9.3 mi | 7.2 |
| PRAXIUM MASTERY ACADEMY Idaho Falls | 9.3 mi | — |
| RIRIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ririe | 7.1 mi | 7.2 |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Idaho Falls | 9.4 mi | 7.5 |
| RIRIE JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Ririe | 7.2 mi | 4.9 |
| BONNEVILLE ONLINE SCHOOL Idaho Falls | 9.4 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 83442 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,328
Median Home Value
$376,800
Median Rent
$1,098/mo
Population
24,829
College Educated
30.4%
Homeownership
85.5%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Median Age
31.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cottonwood Elementary has a median household income of $84,328. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $376,800, with a median rent of $1,098/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALTURAS INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Idaho Falls, ID | 7.1 |
| EAGLE HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Eagle, ID | 7.1 |
| EDGEMONT GARDENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Idaho Falls, ID | 7.1 |
| MARY MCPHERSON ELEMENTARY Meridian, ID | 7.1 |
| PONDEROSA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Post Falls, ID | 7.1 |
| FARMIN STIDWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sandpoint, ID | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cottonwood Elementary
What grades does Cottonwood Elementary serve?
Cottonwood Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Cottonwood Elementary?
Cottonwood Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 654 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary is 21.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cottonwood Elementary rank in ID?
Cottonwood Elementary is ranked #233 out of 719 schools in ID.
What is Cottonwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cottonwood Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Cottonwood Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood Elementary has 43.5% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cottonwood Elementary a charter school?
No, Cottonwood Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cottonwood Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cottonwood Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cottonwood Elementary?
33.3% of students at Cottonwood Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,372/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rigby). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 654
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Jefferson County
- Phone
- (208) 332-6800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
JEFFERSON COUNTY JOINT DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 6,706
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $8,045
- District Rank
- #5 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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