Excellent
#27 of 719 schools in ID
Top 4% in state
Fern-waters Public Charter School
Middle School · FERN-WATERS PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL INC.
103 VAN DREFF STREET, Salmon, ID 83647
Enrollment
78
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
8.6
Grades
4th – 8th
Enrollment
78
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
8.6
Grades
4th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salmon
#1 of 3
public schools
Idaho middle schools
#1 of 112
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Fern-waters Public Charter School
Fern-waters Public Charter School is a public middle school in Salmon, ID, part of the FERN-WATERS PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL INC.. The school serves approximately 78 students in grades 4th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 96.4th percentile among ID schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 47% proficiency in math and 70% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $57,769, where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a remote rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 78 students, Fern-waters Public Charter School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Fern-waters Public Charter School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Located in a rural area, Fern-waters Public Charter School 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Fern-waters Public Charter School — Students at Fern-waters Public Charter School score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
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: 9.1/10.
How Fern-waters Public Charter School Compares
See how Fern-waters Public Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2021) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2021) to 67% (2022).
Location
103 VAN DREFF STREET, Salmon, ID 83647
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fern-waters Public Charter School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. UPPER CARMEN PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Carmen), which scores slightly higher. Another option is SALMON PIONEER PRIMARY SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, SALMON JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.9/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Salmon, see our Salmon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
7 within 37.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SALMON PIONEER PRIMARY SCHOOL Salmon | 0.5 mi | 7.7 |
| SALMON JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Salmon | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| SALMON ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL Salmon | 0.8 mi | — |
| UPPER CARMEN PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL Carmen | 8.2 mi | 9.0 |
| TENDOY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tendoy | 19.6 mi | — |
| Jackson School Jackson | 27.3 mi | — |
| Wisdom School Wisdom | 37.3 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 83647 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,769
Median Home Value
$283,600
Median Rent
$1,041/mo
Population
22,580
College Educated
20.6%
Homeownership
70.7%
Avg Commute
24.1 min
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Median Age
34
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fern-waters Public Charter School has a median household income of $57,769. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $283,600, with a median rent of $1,041/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fern-waters Public Charter School
What grades does Fern-waters Public Charter School serve?
Fern-waters Public Charter School serves students in grades 4th through 8th.
How many students attend Fern-waters Public Charter School?
Fern-waters Public Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 78 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fern-waters Public Charter School?
The student-teacher ratio at Fern-waters Public Charter School is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fern-waters Public Charter School rank in ID?
Fern-waters Public Charter School is ranked #27 out of 719 schools in ID.
What is Fern-waters Public Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?
Fern-waters Public Charter School has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Fern-waters Public Charter School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fern-waters Public Charter School has 47.0% math proficiency and 69.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fern-waters Public Charter School a charter school?
Yes, Fern-waters Public Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Fern-waters Public Charter School a Title I school?
No, Fern-waters Public Charter School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 4th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 78
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Lemhi County
- Phone
- (208) 332-6800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
FERN-WATERS PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL INC.- District Enrollment
- 78
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,987
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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