Summary:
The Notus District in Caldwell, Idaho, is served by a single elementary school, Notus Elementary School, which enrolls 178 students in grades PK through 6 and currently holds a 1-star rating at the 16th percentile statewide. For parents considering this district, the entire elementary experience is concentrated in this one school, so its performance data reflects the whole community's elementary education.
Notus Elementary School has experienced a dramatic decline in recent years. Its state rank fell from 230th (32nd percentile, 2 stars) in 2024–2025 to 289th (16th percentile, 1 star) in 2025–2026. Math proficiency dropped over 10 points year over year from 36% to 25.9%, while ELA slipped slightly to 31%. Both subjects trail the state by wide margins: about 17 points in math and 23 points in ELA. Chronic absenteeism is nearly double the state average at 27.7% versus Idaho's 13.8%, which likely contributes to the academic struggles.
The data reveals specific patterns worth noting. Fifth grade is a consistent weak point, with math, ELA, and science all at exactly 29.2% proficiency, and the ELA gap versus the state is a stark 26 points. However, fourth-grade ELA is a genuine bright spot, reaching 52.6% proficiency, above the state average of 50.2%. Math remains challenging across all grade levels, and the student–teacher ratio is relatively high at 22.2. About 34% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The single clear positive is 4th-grade ELA, demonstrating the school can achieve competitive results, making the 5th-grade outcomes and overall downward trend all the more concerning.
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