Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Taft Elementary School

Q: Is Taft Elementary School a good school?

Taft Elementary School ranks in the bottom 6.9% of Idaho elementary schools.

Q: How many students attend Taft Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 301 students attended Taft Elementary School.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Taft Elementary School?

Students at Taft Elementary School are 50% White, 24% African American, 13% Hispanic, 9% Asian, 4% Two or more races.

Q: What schools do graduates of Taft Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Taft Elementary School usually go on to attend: Middle : Hillside Junior High School High : Boise Senior High School

Public Grades PK, KG-6

326^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 350 Idaho Elementary Schools

Better than 7% of Idaho elementary schools

Summary

Taft Elementary School is a PK-6 school in Boise, ID, that serves 301 students in the Boise Independent District and currently ranks 322 out of 346 Idaho elementary schools (7th percentile) for 2025-26. The school serves a very high-need population, with 97.3% of students eligible for free/reduced-price lunch in 2024-25, a figure that has remained above 97% for the past three years. Per-student spending is $12,390, the highest among all nearby schools in the dataset.

Academically, Taft's proficiency rates are far below district and state averages. In 2025-26, math proficiency was 20.6% compared to the district's 46.4% and the state's 43.1%. English Language Arts proficiency was 31.4% versus the district's 53.3% and the state's 54.0%. Fifth-grade science was 31.3% compared to 48.1% district and 44.0% state. Gaps are especially large in upper-elementary literacy, with 6th grade ELA at 20.5% versus 55.4% district and 51.5% state. Among nearby high-poverty schools, Taft's math proficiency (20.6%) trails Whittier Elementary School's 29.0% and is roughly on par with Koelsch Elementary School's 21.5%, though Taft does outperform Koelsch in ELA (31.4% vs 24.2%). By contrast, low-poverty nearby schools like Collister Elementary School, Washington Elementary School, and Longfellow Elementary School all have math proficiency between 73% and 78%.

Despite spending more per student than every adjacent school — including $8,983 at Longfellow Elementary School, $9,432 at Washington Elementary School, and $10,048 at Collister Elementary School — outcomes remain among the lowest in the area. Chronic absenteeism is 24.5%, down significantly from 37.0% in 2021-22 but still well above the state average of 13.8% and the district average of 22.5%. There are signs of recent improvement: math proficiency has risen from 15.2% to 20.6% over the past two years, and ELA from 22.7% to 31.4%. Taft's own history shows it is not locked into this outcome, having ranked in the 58th percentile in 2014-15. With a lower student-teacher ratio (15.4) than many nearby schools and improving attendance, there are potential levers for recovery, but current results remain far below district and state norms.

301

Students ?

15.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,390

Per pupil spending ?

97.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3722 Anderson Street
Boise, ID 83703-5216

(208) 854-6180

District: Boise Independent District

Students who attend Taft Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Hillside Junior High School
High:	Boise Senior High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

49.8%

African American:

23.9%

Hispanic:

12.6%

See top rated Idaho elementary schools

Compare Taft Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 27th percentile in 2013 → 7th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Idaho average (28% vs 47% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (7th percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (24% vs 14% Idaho)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school28%

District avg49%

Idaho avg47%

326^th of 350

Idaho public elementary schools ?

Bottom 7%▼ down 1 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Idaho Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

26^th of 31Elementary Schools in the Boise Independent District

41^st of 104Boise Independent District among Idaho districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Idaho percentile	Rating
2026	13.8	326 of 350	6.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	8.6	324 of 337	3.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	4.2	296 of 301	1.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	13.0	225 of 252	10.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	5.5	171 of 171	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	14.3	227 of 254	10.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	16.6	255 of 292	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	11.9	221 of 240	7.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	57.9	95 of 226	58.0%	★★★☆☆
2013	38.9	262 of 357	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	26.2	303 of 354	14.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	33.7	281 of 359	21.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	37.3	262 of 356	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	34.2	270 of 349	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	50.8	185 of 335	44.8%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Idaho percentile	Rating
2024	7.1	135 of 135	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

White (2024)<1st percentile~ school

By subject vs Idaho (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts31%-23 vs state

Science31%-13 vs state

Math21%-22 vs state

1.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★0

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

Rate Taft Elementary School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, February 19, 2018

No communications No contacts. .. we know events from neighbors ! Close Quote

Schools Near Taft Elementary School

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ISAT Math (2026)							ISAT Science (2026)			ISAT English Language Arts (2026)							Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISAT Math 3rd Grade	ISAT Math 4th Grade	ISAT Math 5th Grade	ISAT Math 6th Grade	ISAT Math 7th Grade	ISAT Math 8th Grade	ISAT Math All Grades	ISAT Science 5th Grade	ISAT Science 8th Grade	ISAT Science All Grades	ISAT English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ISAT English Language Arts 4th Grade	ISAT English Language Arts 5th Grade	ISAT English Language Arts 6th Grade	ISAT English Language Arts 7th Grade	ISAT English Language Arts 8th Grade	ISAT English Language Arts All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Taft Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	3722 Anderson Street	Boise	83703	Ada County	Boise Independent District	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(208) 854-6180	301	19	15.4	97.3%	150 (49.8%)	72 (23.9%)	38 (12.6%)	27 (9.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	12 (4.0%)	13.8	326^th of 350 public elementary schools	6.9%		8.6	324^th of 337 public elementary schools	3.9%	2	< 24%	31.0	31.3	< 16%			20.6	31.3			26.1	35.7	46.9	20.5			31.4	$12,390	$2,517	$9,873
Future Public School	Public, Charter	K-6	511 East 43rd Street	Garden City	83714	Ada County	Future Public School Inc.	Yes	No	(n/a)	Yes	(208) 854-3923	376	18	20.8	46.5%	241 (64.1%)	26 (6.9%)	66 (17.6%)	9 (2.4%)	1 (0.3%)	3 (0.8%)	30 (8.0%)	60.4	125^th of 350 public elementary schools	64.3%		63.2	104^th of 337 public elementary schools	69.1%	21	57.9	55.4	45.6	43.2			51.1	50.9			57.1	55.4	58.6	65.9			58.7	$10,556	$1,824	$8,732
Lowell Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1507 North 28th Street	Boise	83703	Ada County	Boise Independent District	No	No	(n/a)	No	(208) 854-5480	324	20	15.8		247 (76.2%)	6 (1.9%)	45 (13.9%)	3 (0.9%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (6.2%)	55.5	151^st of 350 public elementary schools	56.9%		56.2	134^th of 337 public elementary schools	60.2%	17	57.5	35.4	45.1	69.6			51.4	51.0			47.5	37.5	60.8	76.6			55.9	$9,865	$828	$9,037
Anser Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	202 East 42nd Street	Garden City	83714	Ada County	Anser Of Idaho Inc.	Yes	No	(n/a)	Yes	(208) 426-9840	573	34	16.8	32.5%	463 (80.8%)	3 (0.5%)	68 (11.9%)	3 (0.5%)	4 (0.7%)	2 (0.3%)	30 (5.2%)	50.9	168^th of 350 public elementary schools	52.0%		53.2	144^th of 337 public elementary schools	57.3%	24	45.8	63.5	52.1	33.3	37.0	39.3	46.2	44.4	41.0	42.9	52.1	64.8	60.3	37.3	53.3	42.6	52.1
Collister Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	4426 Catalpa Drive	Boise	83703	Ada County	Boise Independent District	No	No	(n/a)	No	(208) 854-4650	262	16	16.6	10.7%	187 (71.4%)	1 (0.4%)	25 (9.5%)	33 (12.6%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (5.7%)	94.7	6^th of 350 public elementary schools	98.3%		94	12^th of 337 public elementary schools	96.4%	6	≥ 81%	82.5	≥ 57%	68.8			73.8	80.9			72.7	80.0	82.6	72.3			77.1	$10,048	$595	$9,452
Whittier Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	301 North 29th Street	Boise	83702	Ada County	Boise Independent District	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(208) 854-6630	490	30	16.0	98.4%	216 (44.1%)	29 (5.9%)	195 (39.8%)	10 (2.0%)	3 (0.6%)	3 (0.6%)	34 (6.9%)	16.6	310^th of 350 public elementary schools	11.4%		18.5	286^th of 337 public elementary schools	15.1%	24	30.8	23.5	33.8	27.6			29.0	44.4			28.1	33.8	49.3	24.6			34.6	$9,813	$1,743	$8,071
Washington Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1607 North 15th Street	Boise	83702	Ada County	Boise Independent District	No	No	(n/a)	No	(208) 854-6420	268	16	16.4	11.9%	225 (84.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (10.4%)	1 (0.4%)	3 (1.1%)	1 (0.4%)	10 (3.7%)	91.1	27^th of 350 public elementary schools	92.3%		96.5	2^nd of 337 public elementary schools	99.4%	25	80.9	75.8	57.1	76.9			72.7	64.3			85.1	78.8	66.7	82.1			78.3	$9,432	$564	$8,868
Koelsch Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	2015 North Curtis Road	Boise	83706	Ada County	Boise Independent District	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(208) 854-5300	321	22	14.7	95.6%	161 (50.2%)	46 (14.3%)	85 (26.5%)	10 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.6%)	14 (4.4%)	6.7	340^th of 350 public elementary schools	2.9%		3.9	336^th of 337 public elementary schools	0.3%	4	10.6	23.5	25.0	28.2			21.5	30.2			12.8	27.5	37.8	17.9			24.2	$10,259	$1,897	$8,362
Mountain View Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	3500 Cabarton Lane	Boise	83704	Ada County	Boise Independent District	No	No	(n/a)	No	(208) 854-5700	292	20	14.8		213 (72.9%)	14 (4.8%)	39 (13.4%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	3 (1.0%)	21 (7.2%)	52.8	160^th of 350 public elementary schools	54.3%		69.7	88^th of 337 public elementary schools	73.9%	72	45.9	64.4	32.6	57.1			50.3	41.9			51.4	64.4	48.8	57.1			55.7	$9,505	$1,321	$8,183
Cynthia Mann Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	5401 West Castle Drive	Boise	83703	Ada County	Boise Independent District	No	No	(n/a)	No	(208) 854-4680	412	25	16.5	35.4%	318 (77.2%)	9 (2.2%)	45 (10.9%)	6 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	33 (8.0%)	70	88^th of 350 public elementary schools	74.9%		72.4	78^th of 337 public elementary schools	76.9%	10	58.8	49.2	56.4	65.6			57.5	60.3			51.5	55.9	69.2	63.9			60.5	$11,125	$847	$10,277

Frequently Asked Questions about Taft Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Taft Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Taft Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Hillside Junior High School
High : Boise Senior High School

How many students attend Taft Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 301 students attended Taft Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Taft Elementary School?

Students at Taft Elementary School are 50% White, 24% African American, 13% Hispanic, 9% Asian, 4% Two or more races.

What district is Taft Elementary School in?

Boise Independent District

Is Taft Elementary School a good school?

Taft Elementary School ranks in the bottom 6.9% of Idaho elementary schools.

Rate Taft Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

IDIdaho Elementary School Rankings

IDIdaho District Rankings

Schools in Boise, ID

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Taft Elementary School!

Latest Idaho data All new data »

2025–26 attendance dataAug 19, 2026

2025–26 ISAT test scoresAug 19, 2026

2024–25 attendance data & graduation ratesJan 19, 2026

2024–25 ISAT test scoresAug 26, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Idaho Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.