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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

Charter

Enrollment

78

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

8.6

Grades

4th – 8th

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 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.5 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendImproving
Academics7.7Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected-0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,355

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ID EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 69.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from ID state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2021*
Math
42%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
67%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.6/10
96th percentile in ID
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

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.

8 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
66 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (298/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salmon). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

Related reading

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