Cottonwood Joint District

The Cottonwood Joint District in Idaho is home to two standout schools: Prairie Elementary School and Prairie Junior/Senior High School. Both schools consistently outperform district and state averages in academic achievement, attendance, and graduation rates, with Prairie Elementary ranked among the top 38 elementary schools in Idaho and Prairie Junior/Senior High ranked 8th out of 106 high schools.

Prairie Elementary School boasts impressive ISAT proficiency rates, with 75.4% of students proficient or better in Math and 69.6% in English Language Arts, far exceeding the district and state averages. The school also maintains a low chronic absenteeism rate of 5.6% and spends $9,603 per student, higher than the state average. Similarly, Prairie Junior/Senior High School maintains a strong 4-year graduation rate of 90.9% and outperforms the district and state in ISAT assessments, with 65.6% proficient or better in Math and 70.8% in English Language Arts. The school's per-student spending of $11,930 is significantly higher than the state average.

While the student populations of both schools are predominantly White, with relatively low percentages of minority and economically disadvantaged students, the Cottonwood Joint District's commitment to educational excellence is evident in the consistent high performance of these schools. The higher resource allocation, as reflected in the per-student spending and low student-teacher ratios, may contribute to the schools' strong academic outcomes and low absenteeism rates, suggesting the potential impact of adequate funding on student success. Further analysis of the district's policies and practices could provide valuable insights for other districts seeking to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for all students.