Excellent
#71 of 719 schools in ID
Top 10% in state
Howard E Thirkill Primary School
Elementary School · SODA SPRINGS JOINT DISTRICT
60 EAST 4TH STREET, Soda Springs, ID 83276
Enrollment
350
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
350
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Soda Springs
#1 of 3
public schools
Idaho elementary schools
#55 of 371
In district
#1 of 3
SODA SPRINGS JOINT DISTRICT
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Howard E Thirkill Primary School
Howard E Thirkill Primary School is a public elementary school in Soda Springs, ID, part of the SODA SPRINGS JOINT DISTRICT. The school serves approximately 350 students in grades Pre-K – 4th with a student-teacher ratio of 21.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 90.3th percentile among ID schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 52% proficiency in math and 50% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $57,500, where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a remote rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Howard E Thirkill Primary School is 21.9:1, 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, Howard E Thirkill Primary 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
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Data not available for this school
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Howard E Thirkill Primary School — Students at Howard E Thirkill Primary School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.6%
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
↑ 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: 9.8/10.
How Howard E Thirkill Primary School Compares
See how Howard E Thirkill Primary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
60 EAST 4TH STREET, Soda Springs, ID 83276
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Howard E Thirkill Primary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NORTH GEM ELEMENTARY (rated 9.8/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Bancroft), which scores notably higher. Another option is A J WINTERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 27.4 miles away, in nearby Montpelier), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, BLACK CANYON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Grace), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Soda Springs, see our Soda Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
16 within 31.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| TIGERT MIDDLE SCHOOL Soda Springs | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| SODA SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL Soda Springs | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| CTE PREP SCHOOL Soda Springs | 1.0 mi | — |
| GRACE JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Grace | 8.5 mi | 7.4 |
| BLACK CANYON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Grace | 8.6 mi | 8.0 |
| GEORGETOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Georgetown | 16.8 mi | 7.4 |
| NORTH GEM ELEMENTARY Bancroft | 15.3 mi | 9.8 |
| NORTH GEM HIGH SCHOOL Bancroft | 15.3 mi | 9.0 |
| NORTH GEM MIDDLE SCHOOL Bancroft | 15.3 mi | — |
| LAVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lava Hot Springs | 21.1 mi | 6.3 |
| BEAR LAKE HIGH SCHOOL Montpelier | 27.1 mi | 6.7 |
| A J WINTERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Montpelier | 27.4 mi | 8.9 |
| CLOVER CREEK HIGH SCHOOL Montpelier | 27.6 mi | — |
| BEAR LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Montpelier | 27.5 mi | 6.8 |
| PARIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Paris | 31.0 mi | 5.0 |
| BEAR LAKE ON-LINE LEARNING Paris | 31.0 mi | 2.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 83276 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,500
Median Home Value
$224,700
Median Rent
$839/mo
Population
3,993
College Educated
12.2%
Homeownership
78.6%
Avg Commute
18.3 min
Poverty Rate
11%
Median Age
35.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Howard E Thirkill Primary School has a median household income of $57,500. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,700, with a median rent of $839/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| ABERDEEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Aberdeen, ID | 8.2 |
| EDAHOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pocatello, ID | 8.2 |
| FRONTIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Boise, ID | 8.2 |
| FUTURE PUBLIC SCHOOL Garden City, ID | 8.2 |
| ATLAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hayden Lake, ID | 8.1 |
| CAMELOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lewiston, ID | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Howard E Thirkill Primary School
What grades does Howard E Thirkill Primary School serve?
Howard E Thirkill Primary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Howard E Thirkill Primary School?
Howard E Thirkill Primary School has an enrollment of approximately 350 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Howard E Thirkill Primary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Howard E Thirkill Primary School is 21.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Howard E Thirkill Primary School rank in ID?
Howard E Thirkill Primary School is ranked #71 out of 719 schools in ID.
What is Howard E Thirkill Primary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Howard E Thirkill Primary School has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Howard E Thirkill Primary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Howard E Thirkill Primary School has 52.0% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Howard E Thirkill Primary School a charter school?
No, Howard E Thirkill Primary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Howard E Thirkill Primary School a Title I school?
No, Howard E Thirkill Primary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Howard E Thirkill Primary School?
36.6% of students at Howard E Thirkill Primary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Soda Springs). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 350
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 36.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Caribou County
- Phone
- (208) 547-4426
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SODA SPRINGS JOINT DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 886
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,020
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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