Best Public Schools in Mackay, ID

Mackay, Idaho is a small rural town with two public schools—Mackay Elementary School serving grades PK–6 and Mackay Junior/Senior High School serving grades 7–12—both part of the Mackay Joint District. These are the only two schools in the area, with a combined enrollment of about 218 students, making for very small classes and a close-knit learning environment.

The clear standout is Mackay Elementary School, which improved dramatically in the latest school year, jumping from the bottom quarter of Idaho elementary schools to the middle of the pack. It now ranks 175th out of 346 schools statewide, with strong 3rd grade reading (53.3% proficient) and 5th grade math (50% proficient), both above state averages. Its chronic absenteeism rate of just 7.8% is excellent—far better than the district rate of 15% and the state rate of 13.8%. The high school, by contrast, shows a mixed picture. It matched the state average in graduation rate (82.5%) and previously posted strong reading scores (63.3% proficiency), but recent math scores fell to just 19.6%, compared to the state average of 43.1%, and chronic absenteeism spiked to 22.7%—nearly three times the elementary school’s rate. Overall, the elementary school outperforms the high school in both math and reading, despite the high school spending about 20% more per student.

For parents, the key takeaway is that the district is anchored by a rising elementary school, while the high school needs targeted support, especially in math and attendance. Both schools have roughly 40% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, and low student-teacher ratios (around 14:1 at the elementary, 13:1 at the high school) mean kids get individual attention. However, math proficiency lags significantly at both schools compared to the state, and the high school’s recent decline in reading is worth watching. Because enrollments are so small, year-to-year swings can be misleading, but the elementary school’s strong improvement and low absenteeism make it a solid choice, while the high school’s attendance issues may be the most important factor for families to investigate.