North Valley Academy

North Valley Academy is an alternative public charter school in Gooding, Idaho, serving 175 students in grades K-12. As an alternative school, it likely caters to students who have struggled in a traditional school setting and requires a more specialized approach to education.

North Valley Academy faces some significant challenges. Its graduation rates have fluctuated between 57.1% and 82.3% in recent years, lower than the state average of 80-85%. The school also has high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 15.0% to 29.6%, much higher than the state average of 10-15%. Academically, North Valley Academy's test scores on the ISAT are generally lower than state averages across all subjects and grade levels. For example, in 2024-2025, the school's proficiency rates in Math, Science, and English Language Arts were 25.5%, 50%, and 38.3%, respectively, compared to the state averages of 43.1%, 42.6%, and 53.9%. Additionally, the school has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 48.69% to 53.14%, suggesting it serves a population with a relatively low socioeconomic status.

When comparing North Valley Academy to nearby schools, such as Jerome Academy, Bliss School, Hagerman School, and Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind, some interesting observations can be made. While the nearby schools face their own unique challenges, Bliss School and Hagerman School have higher test scores and graduation rates compared to North Valley Academy, suggesting they may be more successful in supporting their students' academic achievement. As an alternative school, North Valley Academy may need to evaluate its approach to education and support services to better meet the needs of its student population.