Very Good
#122 of 719 schools in ID
Top 17% in state
Payette Lakes Middle School
Middle School · MCCALL-DONNELLY JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT
111 SAMSON TRAIL, Mccall, ID 83638
Enrollment
322
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
322
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mccall
#2 of 3
public schools
Idaho middle schools
#9 of 112
In district
#3 of 4
MCCALL-DONNELLY JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic performance
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Payette Lakes Middle School
Payette Lakes Middle School serves 322 students in grades 6-8 in the mountain community of McCall, Idaho. This highly-regarded public school has earned an impressive 8.4 out of 10 rating and ranks 15th among Idaho's 732 schools, placing it in the 98th percentile statewide. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 14:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention.
Academic performance is notably strong, with 75% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 64% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels. The school draws from a well-educated community where 42% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding ZIP code of 83638 has a median household income of $85,585 and a median home value of $561,300, reflecting the area's desirability as a mountain resort destination.
Despite the higher cost of living, the poverty rate remains manageable at 12.7%. Located at 111 Samson Trail, Payette Lakes Middle School operates in McCall's remote town setting, surrounded by the natural beauty of Valley County's lakes and forests that define this distinctive Idaho mountain community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Payette Lakes Middle School — Students at Payette Lakes Middle School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
16.1%
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: 5.5/10.
How Payette Lakes Middle School Compares
See how Payette Lakes Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 64% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 84% (2019) to 75% (2022).
Location
111 SAMSON TRAIL, Mccall, ID 83638
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Payette Lakes Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. DONNELLY ELEMENTARY (rated 8.8/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Donnelly), which scores notably higher. Another option is CASCADE JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 26.5 miles away, in nearby Cascade), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BARBARA R MORGAN ELEMENTARY (rated 8.0/10, 0.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Mccall, see our Mccall schools guide .
Nearby Schools
13 within 28.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BARBARA R MORGAN ELEMENTARY Mccall | 0.2 mi | 8.0 |
| CRESTLINE ACADEMY Mccall | 0.6 mi | 3.8 |
| THE NORTH FORK SCHOOL Mccall | 1.2 mi | — |
| HEARTLAND HIGH SCHOOL Mccall | 1.1 mi | — |
| MCCALL-DONNELLY HIGH SCHOOL Mccall | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| DONNELLY ELEMENTARY Donnelly | 11.6 mi | 8.8 |
| MEADOWS VALLEY SCHOOL New Meadows | 11.3 mi | 7.0 |
| MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY SCHOOL Donnelly | 15.8 mi | 7.9 |
| CASCADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cascade | 26.5 mi | 4.9 |
| CASCADE JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Cascade | 26.5 mi | 8.8 |
| COUNCIL JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Council | 21.1 mi | 6.0 |
| COUNCIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Council | 21.2 mi | 3.5 |
| ALZAR SCHOOL Cascade | 28.5 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 83638 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,965
Median Home Value
$685,300
Median Rent
$1,013/mo
Population
7,507
College Educated
42.3%
Homeownership
84.7%
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Median Age
41.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Payette Lakes Middle School has a median household income of $89,965. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $685,300, with a median rent of $1,013/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| DECLO JR HIGH SCHOOL Declo, ID | 8.0 |
| PARMA MIDDLE SCHOOL Parma, ID | 8.1 |
| SNAKE RIVER JR HIGH SCHOOL Blackfoot, ID | 7.5 |
| GOODING MIDDLE SCHOOL Gooding, ID | 8.3 |
| MALAD MIDDLE SCHOOL Malad City, ID | 7.2 |
| DONALD J HOBBS MIDDLE SCHOOL Shelley, ID | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Payette Lakes Middle School
What grades does Payette Lakes Middle School serve?
Payette Lakes Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Payette Lakes Middle School?
Payette Lakes Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 322 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Payette Lakes Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Payette Lakes Middle School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Payette Lakes Middle School rank in ID?
Payette Lakes Middle School is ranked #122 out of 719 schools in ID.
What is Payette Lakes Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Payette Lakes Middle School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Payette Lakes Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Payette Lakes Middle School has 59.3% math proficiency and 79.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Payette Lakes Middle School a charter school?
No, Payette Lakes Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Payette Lakes Middle School a Title I school?
No, Payette Lakes Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Payette Lakes Middle School?
16.1% of students at Payette Lakes Middle 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 (Mccall). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 322
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 16.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Valley County
- Phone
- (208) 634-5994
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MCCALL-DONNELLY JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,369
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,097
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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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