Summary:
The Kellogg Joint District in northern Idaho has two elementary schools—Pinehurst Elementary School and Canyon Elementary School—both serving grades PK–5 but presenting very different academic pictures.
Canyon Elementary School is the clear standout. With just 141 students, it ranks in the 62nd percentile statewide (131st of 346) and earns 3 stars, beating both the district and state averages in math and English language arts. In the most recent year, 50% of Canyon students were proficient in math and 60% in ELA, compared to Idaho’s averages of 43.1% and 54%. By contrast, Pinehurst Elementary School enrolls 430 students and ranks in the 20th percentile (277th of 346) with just 1 star. Pinehurst’s proficiency rates—34.5% in math and 43% in ELA—fall well below state and district averages, and it has slipped from the 45th percentile in 2016–2017 to its current position.
The gap between these schools aligns with key non-academic factors. Pinehurst has double the free/reduced lunch rate (61.2% vs. 30.5%) and nearly double the chronic absenteeism rate (28.9% vs. 15.3%). Notably, Canyon achieves better outcomes despite a higher student–teacher ratio (23.7 vs. 16.1) and nearly identical per-student spending (about $10,500). Canyon has also shown dramatic improvement, climbing from the 15th percentile in 2012–2013 to the 62nd percentile today, while Pinehurst continues to decline. For parents, the choice is clear: Canyon Elementary School is a strong, improving option, while Pinehurst Elementary School faces significant challenges that go beyond classroom size or funding.
Thank you for your feedback!