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Very Good

#127 of 719 schools in ID

Top 18% in state

Priest Lake Elementary School

Elementary School · WEST BONNER COUNTY DISTRICT

27732 HIGHWAY 57, Priest Lake, ID 83856

Enrollment

46

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Idaho elementary schools

#92 of 371

In district

#2 of 5

WEST BONNER COUNTY DISTRICT

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Priest Lake Elementary School

Priest Lake Elementary School serves 46 students in grades PK through 6 in the remote rural community of Priest Lake, Idaho. With just 3 full-time equivalent teachers, this small school maintains an intimate 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and families. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking #77 out of 732 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 90th percentile.

Students show solid achievement in core subjects, with 64% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 54% meet proficiency standards in Mathematics. This academic success reflects the school's 8.2 out of 10 academic score. Located at 27732 Highway 57, the school serves a community where the median household income is $63,654 and median home values reach $315,200.

The surrounding area has a 7.2% poverty rate, and 20% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Priest Lake Elementary operates in one of Idaho's most scenic remote rural settings, where students experience education surrounded by the natural beauty and tight-knit community character that defines this corner of Bonner County.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 46 students, Priest Lake Elementary 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.

Located in a rural area, Priest Lake Elementary 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 Progress6.5Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+15.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,555

Priest Lake Elementary School — Students at Priest Lake Elementary School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ID EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 69.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from ID state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
74.5%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Priest Lake Elementary School Compares

See how Priest Lake Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
83th percentile in ID
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

Location

27732 HIGHWAY 57, Priest Lake, ID 83856

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Priest Lake Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bess Herian Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Cusick), which scores slightly higher. Another option is IDAHO HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 23.7 miles away, in nearby Oldtown), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, FARMIN STIDWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 22.8 miles away, in nearby Sandpoint), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Priest Lake, see our Priest Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.1 mi
School Distance Rating
PRIEST RIVER LAMANNA HIGH Priest River 22.4 mi 6.5
PRIEST RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Priest River 22.7 mi 6.1
PRIEST RIVER JR HIGH SCHOOL Priest River 23.0 mi 6.7
IDAHO HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oldtown 23.7 mi 8.3
Sadie Halstead Middle School Newport 23.9 mi 5.6
HOUSE OF THE LORD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Oldtown 24.2 mi 5.9
Newport Home Link Newport 24.0 mi 3.2
Stratton Elementary Newport 24.1 mi 5.4
Pend Oreille River School Newport 24.1 mi 6.1
Newport High School Newport 24.1 mi 6.6
LIFE PREP ACADEMY Newport 24.8 mi
SELKIRK SCHOOL Sandpoint 22.3 mi
Bess Herian Elementary Cusick 21.0 mi 8.6
Cusick Jr Sr High School Cusick 21.0 mi 7.5
Home Pride Cusick 21.0 mi 4.7
SANDPOINT JUVENILE DETENTION Sandpoint 22.1 mi
SANDPOINT JR ACADEMY Sandpoint 23.0 mi
FARMIN STIDWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sandpoint 22.8 mi 7.0
SANDPOINT WALDORF SCHOOL Sandpoint 23.1 mi 6.5
LITTLE LAMBS PRESCHOOL Sandpoint 23.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 83856 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,898

Median Home Value

$373,800

Median Rent

$820/mo

Population

6,913

College Educated

22.1%

Homeownership

85.2%

Avg Commute

29.3 min

Poverty Rate

7%

Median Age

50.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Priest Lake Elementary School has a median household income of $65,898. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $373,800, with a median rent of $820/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
VINEYARD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Boise, ID 7.6
CHILDRENS HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lewiston, ID 7.5
MONTESSORI ACADEMY Eagle, ID 7.2
BOISE ONLINE SCHOOL - ELEMENTARY Boise, ID 7.1
CHERRY GULCH Emmett, ID 7.0
KIDZ CONNECTION MONTESSORI Boise, ID 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Priest Lake Elementary School

What grades does Priest Lake Elementary School serve?

Priest Lake Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Priest Lake Elementary School?

Priest Lake Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 46 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Priest Lake Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Priest Lake Elementary School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Priest Lake Elementary School rank in ID?

Priest Lake Elementary School is ranked #127 out of 719 schools in ID.

What is Priest Lake Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Priest Lake Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Priest Lake Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Priest Lake Elementary School has 49.5% math proficiency and 69.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Priest Lake Elementary School a charter school?

No, Priest Lake Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Priest Lake Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Priest Lake Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Priest Lake Elementary School?

43.5% of students at Priest Lake Elementary 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (485/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
46
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Bonner County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

WEST BONNER COUNTY DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,002
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$3
District Rank
#2 of 5

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

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