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Needs Improvement

#667 of 719 schools in ID

Priest River JR High School

Middle School · WEST BONNER COUNTY DISTRICT

5709 HIGHWAY 2, Priest River, ID 83856

Enrollment

157

Student-Teacher

15.7:1

Score

3.7

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Idaho schools

#667 of 719

In Priest River

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#5 of 5

WEST BONNER COUNTY DISTRICT

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Priest River JR High School

3.7/10

Middle School in Priest River · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Priest River Lamanna High

3.9/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Priest River Elementary School

5.4/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Priest River JR High School

Priest River JR High School is a public middle school in Priest River, ID, part of WEST BONNER COUNTY DISTRICT. Priest River JR High School serves approximately 157 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 15.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Priest River JR High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #667 of 719 schools in ID.

Structured state assessment records for Priest River JR High School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.4 pts below ID schools
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • ID avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 157 students, Priest River JR High School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Priest River JR High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.72 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$3
Chronic Absenteeism29.3%

Priest River JR High School — Students at Priest River JR High School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ID EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 44.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from ID state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
76%
ELA
93%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
47%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Priest River JR High School Compares

See how Priest River JR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
7th percentile in ID
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.7/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.3%

Location

5709 HIGHWAY 2, Priest River, ID 83856

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Priest River JR High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. TIMBERLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Spirit Lake), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sadie Halstead Middle School (rated 4.6/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Newport), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Priest River, see our Priest River schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.9 mi
School Distance Rating
PRIEST RIVER LAMANNA HIGH Priest River 0.6 mi 3.9
PRIEST RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Priest River 0.5 mi 5.4
HOUSE OF THE LORD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Oldtown 5.2 mi 5.9
IDAHO HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oldtown 5.4 mi 6.6
Sadie Halstead Middle School Newport 6.2 mi 4.6
Stratton Elementary Newport 6.3 mi 5.3
Pend Oreille River School Newport 6.3 mi 6.8
Newport Home Link Newport 6.4 mi 3.1
Newport High School Newport 6.6 mi 4.7
SPIRIT LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Spirit Lake 14.8 mi 5.8
LIFE PREP ACADEMY Newport 10.2 mi
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF NORTH IDAHO, INC. Spirit Lake 15.1 mi
TIMBERLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Spirit Lake 15.7 mi 6.4
TIMBERLAKE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Spirit Lake 15.9 mi 7.8
SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cocolalla 15.0 mi 5.9
ATHOL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Athol 19.2 mi 5.1
TWIN LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rathdrum 22.5 mi 7.9
SELKIRK SCHOOL Sandpoint 16.1 mi
PRIEST LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Priest Lake 23.0 mi 7.3
SANDPOINT JR ACADEMY Sandpoint 16.9 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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CROSSROADS MIDDLE SCHOOL Meridian, ID 4.8
ABERDEEN MIDDLE SCHOOL Aberdeen, ID 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Priest River JR High School

What grades does Priest River JR High School serve?

Priest River JR High School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Priest River JR High School?

Priest River JR High School has an enrollment of approximately 157 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Priest River JR High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Priest River JR High School is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Priest River JR High School rank in ID?

Priest River JR High School ranks #667 of 719 schools in ID.

What is Priest River JR High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Priest River JR High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Priest River JR High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Priest River JR High School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Priest River JR High School a charter school?

No, Priest River JR High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Priest River JR High School a Title I school?

No, Priest River JR High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Priest River JR High School?

39.5% of students at Priest River JR High 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
46 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
157
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Bonner County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.3%

District

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

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