Best Public Schools in Roberts, ID

Roberts, Idaho is served by a single public school, Roberts Elementary School, a small PK-5 elementary school with 184 students in the Jefferson County Joint District, and because there are no middle or high schools within the city, students continue their education beyond 5th grade at schools elsewhere in the district. As the only school in town, Roberts Elementary is the sole educational option for families in the area.

The school serves a high-poverty population, with 51.09% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, and currently holds a low state ranking (23rd percentile, 1 star) for 2025-2026, despite its district ranking much higher (61st percentile, 3 stars). Chronic absenteeism is a major concern, with 21.8% of students chronically absent — nearly double the district rate of 12.5%. Academically, Roberts Elementary trails both district and state averages in most subjects: all-grade math proficiency is 37.4% versus 43.1% statewide, and ELA proficiency is 42.9% versus 54.0% statewide. However, there is a clear bright spot: 5th grade ELA proficiency is 60.6%, beating both the district (57.7%) and state (55.2%). ELA proficiency also climbs steadily from 25.9% in 3rd grade to 60.6% in 5th grade — a strong upward trajectory. Math performance is more volatile, with 3rd grade at 29.6%, 4th grade at 45.2%, and 5th grade dropping to 36.4%, all below state averages. Science proficiency in 5th grade (36.4%) also trails the state (44.0%).

The school reported a student–teacher ratio of 14.8:1 and per-student spending of $7,566 (2018-2019), both within reasonable ranges. Historical data shows the school's ranking has been volatile, once achieving a 3-star, above-average rating in 2012-2013 before falling back to its current 1-star level. For parents, this means the school offers a small, close-knit environment with genuine strengths in upper-grade reading, but it faces real challenges with absenteeism, early-grade literacy and math, and overall consistency. The most urgent priorities should be reducing chronic absenteeism and shoring up early-grade instruction, especially given the high-poverty context that many students come from.