Basin Elementary School

Basin Elementary School is a small, rural school in Idaho City, ID, serving 173 students in Pre-K through 6th grade as part of the Basin School District. With a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of 12.6:1, the school offers a close-knit learning environment, but it faces growing economic challenges—45% of students now qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a number that has climbed steadily over the past three years.

Compared to the nearest peer, Horseshoe Bend Elementary about 19 miles away, Basin has some clear strengths and a few glaring concerns. Basin ranks higher statewide (44th percentile vs. 37th) and leads in English language arts (50.6% proficient vs. 47.5%). However, Horseshoe Bend edges out Basin in math proficiency (45.0% vs. 38.2%) despite serving a higher-poverty population. The biggest red flag is chronic absenteeism: 32.6% of Basin students are chronically absent, more than double the 13.9% rate at Horseshoe Bend and well above the state average of 13.8%.

Looking deeper, Basin's 5th graders are a standout group, with 59.1% proficient in math and 72.7% in ELA—both far above state averages. In contrast, 4th graders lag significantly, with only 23.8% math and 28.6% ELA proficiency, suggesting uneven instruction or cohort challenges. Math remains weaker than ELA overall, and attendance likely drags down outcomes. Despite its district's bottom-quartile ranking, the school itself ranks in the middle of Idaho elementary schools, showing resilience—but improving attendance and shoring up math instruction would make a meaningful difference for Basin students.