Average
#266 of 719 schools in ID
Top 37% in state
Gem Prep: Meridian
School · GEM PREP: MERIDIAN LLC
PO BOX 86, Deary, ID 83823
Enrollment
480
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
480
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Deary
#2 of 4
public schools
Idaho schools
#28 of 58
Academic performance
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Gem Prep: Meridian
GEM PREP: MERIDIAN serves 480 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in this Ada County charter school located in Deary. With 24 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 20:1 student-teacher ratio while delivering a comprehensive K-12 educational experience. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #130 out of 732 Idaho schools, placing it in the 82nd percentile statewide.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 75% achieving proficiency or above across all grade levels. Mathematics performance reaches 56% proficiency, indicating solid foundational skills with opportunities for continued growth in STEM subjects. As a charter school, GEM PREP: MERIDIAN offers families an alternative to traditional public education while maintaining public school accessibility.
The school's academic score of 8.9 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence across its broad grade span, allowing families to keep students in one educational community from elementary through high school. The school operates in the 83823 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $73,438 and the median home value is $324,000. With 27% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low 5% poverty rate, the school serves a stable suburban community of 1,552 residents.
What Parents Should Know
Gem Prep: Meridian 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Gem Prep: Meridian — Students at Gem Prep: Meridian score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores ID EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from ID state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.0/10.
How Gem Prep: Meridian Compares
See how Gem Prep: Meridian performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 56% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 75% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 86, Deary, ID 83823
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gem Prep: Meridian may also want to explore other schools in the area. GEM PREP: ONLINE SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, in nearby Meridian), which scores slightly higher. Another option is IDAHO VIRTUAL ACADEMY (rated 4.7/10, 0.3 miles away, in nearby Meridian), a more accessible option. Additionally, VIRTUAL SCHOOL HOUSE (rated 3.8/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Meridian), a more accessible option. For more schools in Deary, see our Deary schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GEM PREP: ONLINE SCHOOL Meridian | 0.0 mi | 7.8 |
| IDAHO VIRTUAL ACADEMY Meridian | 0.3 mi | 4.7 |
| INSIGHT SCHOOL OF IDAHO Meridian | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| IDAHO TECHNICAL CAREER ACADEMY Meridian | 0.3 mi | 7.9 |
| VILLAGE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Meridian | 0.3 mi | 3.2 |
| A CHILD'S CHOICE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Meridian | 0.5 mi | — |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL Meridian | 0.5 mi | 4.5 |
| SIENA ELEMENTARY Meridian | 1.2 mi | 7.9 |
| MERIDIAN ACADEMY Meridian | 1.2 mi | 4.6 |
| RENAISSANCE HIGH SCHOOL Meridian | 1.0 mi | 8.4 |
| VIRTUAL SCHOOL HOUSE Meridian | 1.0 mi | 3.8 |
| REBOUND SCHOOL OF OPPORTUNITY Meridian | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| IDAHO FINE ARTS ACADEMY Meridian | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| CROSSROADS MIDDLE SCHOOL Meridian | 1.5 mi | 4.7 |
| ELIZA HART SPALDING STEM ACADEMY Boise | 1.3 mi | 8.5 |
| LEWIS & CLARK MIDDLE SCHOOL Meridian | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| PEPPER RIDGE ELEMENTARY Boise | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| BOISE VALLEY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Boise | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| HILLSDALE ELEMENTARY Meridian | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| MARY MCPHERSON ELEMENTARY Meridian | 2.2 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 83823 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,023
Median Home Value
$414,000
Median Rent
$1,172/mo
Population
1,549
College Educated
28.6%
Homeownership
89.1%
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Median Age
47.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gem Prep: Meridian has a median household income of $76,023. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $414,000, with a median rent of $1,172/month. The local poverty rate of 4.5% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| IDAHO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CHARTER SCHOOL Blackfoot, ID | 7.0 |
| SAGE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MIDDLETON Middleton, ID | 7.0 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Twin Falls, ID | 6.8 |
| LIBERTY CHARTER SCHOOL Nampa, ID | 6.7 |
| TREASURE VALLEY CLASSICAL ACADEMY Fruitland, ID | 7.2 |
| WATERSPRINGS SCHOOL Idaho Falls, ID | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gem Prep: Meridian
What grades does Gem Prep: Meridian serve?
Gem Prep: Meridian serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Gem Prep: Meridian?
Gem Prep: Meridian has an enrollment of approximately 480 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gem Prep: Meridian?
The student-teacher ratio at Gem Prep: Meridian is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gem Prep: Meridian rank in ID?
Gem Prep: Meridian is ranked #266 out of 719 schools in ID.
What is Gem Prep: Meridian's MySchoolScout rating?
Gem Prep: Meridian has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Gem Prep: Meridian?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gem Prep: Meridian has 57.7% math proficiency and 70.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Gem Prep: Meridian a charter school?
Yes, Gem Prep: Meridian is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Gem Prep: Meridian a Title I school?
No, Gem Prep: Meridian is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gem Prep: Meridian?
38.8% of students at Gem Prep: Meridian 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
- County Safety
- Low (149/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 480
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Ada County
- Phone
- (208) 917-9150
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
GEM PREP: MERIDIAN LLC- District Enrollment
- 480
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $7,872
- 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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