The Idaho Department of Education released its latest Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) results, revealing that the state as a whole did not meet its proficiency targets in English language arts and mathematics this spring. While overall numbers were modest, the data also highlighted a number of schools and districts that performed notably well, offering a clearer picture for parents, educators, and community leaders.
Top‑performing traditional districts
Among traditional public school districts, Troy School District emerged as the leader in English language arts, achieving an 80% proficiency rate for grades 3‑8 and grade 11 combined. In mathematics, Cottonwood School District posted the highest score for a traditional district, with 66.3% of its students meeting proficiency standards. Both districts serve as examples of how focused instruction and community involvement can lift student outcomes.
Charter and online schools make the list
Charter schools continued to dominate the overall rankings, with several earning spots in the top ten for both English and math. Idaho Virtual Academy, an online charter, secured a place among the top ten online schools for math performance, despite only 23.9% of its students reaching proficiency. The strong showing by charter institutions underscores the growing role of school choice options in Idaho’s education landscape.
Understanding the numbers
ISAT scores are reported for English, math, and science each year, but they do not affect student grades. Instead, they serve as a benchmark for lawmakers, school administrators, and families to assess K‑12 performance across the state. The latest figures indicate that while a handful of schools are achieving high proficiency, the majority of districts are still working toward meeting the state’s goals.
It is important to note that the rankings are not an exact apples‑to‑apples comparison. Factors such as school size, student demographics, and local funding can influence proficiency rates. Additionally, some data sets were redacted by the state, limiting a full analysis of every district’s performance.
What this means for Idaho families
For parents evaluating educational options, the ISAT results provide useful insight into where strong academic outcomes are occurring. Districts like Troy and Cottonwood demonstrate that traditional public schools can achieve high proficiency when resources are aligned with student needs. At the same time, charter and online schools continue to offer alternative pathways that may better serve certain families.
Community leaders and school boards are encouraged to use this data to identify best practices, allocate resources effectively, and support teachers in raising achievement across all schools. Continued transparency and public access to test results help ensure that Idaho’s education system remains accountable to the families it serves.
Where to find more information
The Idaho Department of Education’s website hosts the full set of ISAT scores. EdNews has compiled the data into easy‑to‑read lists of top‑performing districts and charters, which can be accessed through the links below. Parents and educators can also view detailed scores by individual school for a deeper dive into local performance.
Ed News Data Analyst Randy Schrader contributed to this report.
Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.
