Boise, Idaho offers a high-quality and diverse educational environment with strong public schools, a variety of private and charter options, and a wide range of specialized programs. The city is primarily served by the Boise School District and the West Ada School District, both recognized for academic achievement and college readiness25.
Public School Options
Boise School District
- Covers: Most of Boise proper
- Schools: 33 elementary, 8 junior high, 5 senior high schools5
- Reputation: High-performing, nationally recognized, and committed to academic excellence and student well-being5
- Special Programs: Montessori, Dual Language, Highly Gifted, Advanced Placement (AP), Career & Technical Education, full-day kindergarten, and the Treasure Valley Math and Science Center5
- Recognition: Five high schools (Boise, Borah, Capital, Timberline, and Boise Online School) earned “Best High Schools” honors from U.S. News & World Report in 20245
West Ada School District
- Covers: Meridian, Eagle, and parts of Boise
- Schools: 61 schools, nearly 39,000 students2
- Reputation: Largest and top-rated district in the Boise area (Niche #1 for 2025), praised for academics, safety, and extracurriculars2
Notable Public Schools in Boise
| School Name | Grades | Highlights | Ranking/Recognition |
| Collister Elementary School | K-6 | Top-ranked, strong academics | Top 10 in Boise1 |
| Highlands Elementary School | K-6 | High test scores, strong community involvement | Top 10 in Boise1 |
| Pioneer School Of The Arts | K-5 | Arts integration, high proficiency rates | Top 10 in Boise1 |
| Eliza Hart Spalding STEM Academy | PK-5 | Magnet, 70% math & reading proficiency | Top 10% in 83709 zip6 |
| Christine Donnell School Of Arts | K-5 | Magnet, strong arts focus, high test scores | Top 10% in 83709 zip6 |
| Boise High School | 9-12 | College prep, AP/IB, strong arts & athletics | U.S. News Best High Schools53 |
| Timberline High School | 9-12 | AP, strong STEM, arts, and sports | U.S. News Best High Schools53 |
- Performance Snapshot: Boise public schools have an average math proficiency of 47% and reading proficiency of 59%, both above Idaho state averages. The average school ranking is 8/10, placing Boise in the top 30% of Idaho public schools1.
- Diversity: Minority enrollment is 29%, higher than the state average, with a majority Hispanic student body1.
Charter, Magnet, and Alternative Schools
- Sage International School: Charter, International Baccalaureate focus3
- North Star Charter School: Highly ranked, college preparatory3
- Renaissance High School: Magnet, IB and STEM programs3
- Boise Online School: Virtual learning option for K–1256
- Inspire Virtual Charter School: K–12, flexible online instruction6
Private School Options
- 32 private schools serve about 4,866 students, offering religious, Montessori, and college-prep programs1.
- Notable Private Schools: Riverstone International School (IB), The Ambrose School (classical Christian), Foothills School of Arts and Sciences (independent, inquiry-based).
School Ratings and Reviews
- GreatSchools and Niche provide up-to-date ratings, test scores, and parent reviews for Boise-area schools, helping families compare options based on academic performance, equity, and community feedback92.
- U.S. News & World Report ranks Boise’s high schools among the best in Idaho and the nation35.
Educational Resources for Families
- Boise School District: District calendar, enrollment, boundary maps, and program info5
- West Ada School District: Similar resources for families in Meridian and parts of Boise2
- After-School & Enrichment: Wide range of programs in arts, STEM, sports, and summer camps at many schools
- Special Education & Support: Both districts provide specialized programs for gifted, English learners, and students with special needs5
Quick Links & Resources
- Boise School District: boiseschools.org5
- West Ada School District: westada.org2
- GreatSchools Boise Ratings: greatschools.org/idaho/boise/9
- Niche Boise Schools: niche.com/k12/search/best-schools/t/boise-id/2
- U.S. News Best Boise High Schools: usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/idaho/rankings/boise-city-id-142603
- Public School Review Boise: publicschoolreview.com/idaho/boise1
What Families Should Know
- Boise is recognized for its strong public schools, with most campuses receiving top marks for academics, safety, and enrichment15.
- Charter, magnet, and private school options are plentiful, catering to diverse educational philosophies and needs13.
- Specialized programs and enrichment opportunities abound, from arts and STEM to gifted and language immersion56.
- Community and parent engagement is robust, enhancing the educational experience for all students5.
- Families moving from outside the area should review district enrollment and school choice options on the district websites52.
For detailed school profiles, enrollment information, and reviews, visit the resources listed above or contact schools directly.
- https://www.publicschoolreview.com/idaho/boise
- https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-school-districts/m/boise-area/
- https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/idaho/rankings/boise-city-id-14260
- https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/idaho
- https://www.boiseschools.org/news/what_s_new/b_d_s_s_high_schools_again_ranked_nationally
- https://www.publicschoolreview.com/idaho/boise/83709
- https://www.niche.com/k12/d/boise-school-district-id/rankings/
- https://www.greatschools.org/idaho/
- https://www.greatschools.org/idaho/boise/
- https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/idaho/districts/boise-independent-district-107157
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