Average
#297 of 719 schools in ID
Top 41% in state
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
6.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
157
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
6.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Priest River
#1 of 3
public schools
Idaho middle schools
#31 of 112
In district
#3 of 5
WEST BONNER COUNTY DISTRICT
School environment
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Priest River JR High School
Priest River Jr High School is a small rural middle school located in Priest River, Idaho. Situated on Highway 2, the school serves seventh and eighth graders with an enrollment of 157 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.7:1. The school has ten full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing education in this remote area.
Academically, Priest River Jr High School ranks 31st percentile among Idaho schools, indicating there is room for growth in test performance. In reading and ELA, 44% of students are proficient or above, while in math, the proficiency rate stands at 29%. Despite these statistics, the school community remains committed to supporting student development and learning.
The rural setting around Priest River Jr High School offers a close-knit community feel where students benefit from a tight-knit relationship with teachers and staff.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 157 students, Priest River JR High 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 River JR High 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
View breakdown
View breakdown
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: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.5%
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: 7.3/10.
How Priest River JR High School Compares
See how Priest River JR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 47% (2022).
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 7.0/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Spirit Lake), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sadie Halstead Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Newport), a more accessible option. 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 | 6.5 |
| PRIEST RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Priest River | 0.5 mi | 6.1 |
| HOUSE OF THE LORD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Oldtown | 5.2 mi | 5.9 |
| IDAHO HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oldtown | 5.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Sadie Halstead Middle School Newport | 6.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Stratton Elementary Newport | 6.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Pend Oreille River School Newport | 6.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Newport Home Link Newport | 6.4 mi | 3.2 |
| Newport High School Newport | 6.6 mi | 6.6 |
| SPIRIT LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Spirit Lake | 14.8 mi | 7.3 |
| 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 | 7.0 |
| TIMBERLAKE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Spirit Lake | 15.9 mi | 5.8 |
| SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cocolalla | 15.0 mi | 8.8 |
| ATHOL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Athol | 19.2 mi | 4.4 |
| TWIN LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rathdrum | 22.5 mi | 8.6 |
| SELKIRK SCHOOL Sandpoint | 16.1 mi | — |
| PRIEST LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Priest Lake | 23.0 mi | 7.7 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Priest River JR High 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 |
|---|---|
| BEUTLER MIDDLE SCHOOL Dayton, ID | 6.6 |
| ST MARIES MIDDLE SCHOOL St. Maries, ID | 7.1 |
| NAMPA CHRISTIAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Nampa, ID | 6.3 |
| PATHWAYS MIDDLE SCHOOL Meridian, ID | 6.3 |
| MALAD MIDDLE SCHOOL Malad City, ID | 7.2 |
| SHOSHONE MIDDLE SCHOOL Shoshone, ID | 7.3 |
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 is ranked #297 out of 719 schools in ID.
What is Priest River JR High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Priest River JR High School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 River JR High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Priest River JR High School has 28.7% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (486/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Priest River). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (208) 448-1118
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
WEST BONNER COUNTY DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,002
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $3
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
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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