Taft Elementary School

Summary:

Taft Elementary School is a public elementary school in Boise, Idaho, serving 270 students in grades PK-6. The school stands out from nearby schools in the Boise Independent District due to its diverse student population, consistently low academic performance, and high rates of chronic absenteeism and poverty.

Taft Elementary has a more racially diverse student body compared to nearby schools, with higher percentages of African American (20%), Hispanic (11.85%), and Asian (10.74%) students. However, the school consistently underperforms the district and state averages in academic proficiency across all grade levels and subjects. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 15.2% of Taft students were proficient or better in ISAT/Math, compared to 44.8% for the district and 42.2% for the state. Taft also has significantly higher chronic absenteeism rates, reaching 37% in the 2021-2022 school year, compared to the nearby Collister Elementary and Washington Elementary, which range from 11.3% to 36.5%.

The data suggests that Taft Elementary faces unique challenges that the other schools in the Boise Independent District do not. The school's high rates of poverty, with over 99% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, may be contributing to its academic struggles. Additionally, the school's statewide ranking has steadily declined over the years, from 95 out of 226 Idaho elementary schools in 2014-2015 to 296 out of 301 in 2023-2024, with a consistent 1-star or 0-star rating from SchoolDigger. Addressing these underlying factors through targeted interventions and support could be crucial in improving student outcomes at Taft Elementary.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

 3722 Anderson Street
       Boise, ID  83703-5216


(208) 854-6181

District: Boise Independent District

SchoolDigger Rank:
296th of 301 Idaho Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,390 Help


Students who attend Taft Elementary School usually attend:

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

Student/teacher ratio:  14.0 Help
Number of students:  270

Racial breakdown:

White:
51.1%
African American:
20.0%
Hispanic:
11.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99.3% Help


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 Compare Taft Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Taft Elementary School ranks worse than 98.3% of elementary schools in Idaho. It also ranks 31st among 32 ranked elementary schools in the Boise Independent District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 4.23. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Taft Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Boise Independent District.  (See more...)
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Taft Elementary School is $12,390, which is the 3rd highest among 32 elementary schools in the Boise Independent District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Taft Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Taft Elementary School 296th of 301 Idaho public elementary schools. (See Taft Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


White students:


Boise Independent District:

SchoolDigger ranks Boise Independent District 37th of 77 Idaho school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Taft Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Taft Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools ID State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2008 50.85 185th 335 44.8%
2009 34.17 270th 349 22.6%
2010 37.33 262nd 356 26.4%
2011 33.73 281st 359 21.7%
2012 26.20 303rd 354 14.4%
2013 38.93 262nd 357 26.6%
2015 57.88 95th 226 58.0%
2016 11.94 221st 240 7.9%
2017 16.56 255th 292 12.7%
2018 14.32 227th 254 10.6%
2019 5.53 171st 171 0.0%
2023 13.03 225th 252 10.7%
2024 4.23 296th 301 1.7%
See the entire list of Idaho Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for White students at Taft Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools ID State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 7.13 135th 135 0.0%
See the entire list of Best Idaho Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Idaho Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Taft Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 







Data source: Idaho Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

by a parent
Monday, February 19, 2018

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



Enrollment information for Taft Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1991 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 534 534
1992 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 530 530
1993 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 528 528
1994 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 513 513
1995 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 473 473
1996 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 473 473
1997 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 446 446
1998 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 432 432
1999 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 405 405
2000 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 386 386
2001 328 6 10 30 5 n/a n/a 0 379
2002 320 10 4 42 3 n/a n/a 0 379
2003 320 10 4 42 3 n/a n/a 0 379
2004 292 15 4 39 2 n/a n/a 0 352
2005 302 11 8 34 3 n/a n/a 0 358
2006 287 15 10 33 2 n/a n/a 0 347
2007 255 14 12 28 3 n/a n/a 0 312
2008 269 11 15 31 2 n/a n/a 0 328
2009 290 46 20 14 3 n/a n/a 0 373
2010 271 48 22 17 2 n/a n/a 0 360
2011 250 36 15 20 1 2 6 0 330
2012 252 39 22 23 4 3 5 0 348
2013 216 45 28 18 5 7 2 0 321
2014 215 64 24 32 2 4 4 0 345
2015 198 49 22 39 2 6 5 0 321
2016 196 52 21 42 2 4 9 0 326
2017 199 81 21 52 2 5 11 0 371
2018 201 98 13 32 0 5 10 0 359
2019 166 88 13 43 0 5 11 0 326
2020 159 95 12 37 2 2 14 0 321
2021 125 69 5 24 2 2 12 0 239
2022 138 63 7 24 2 1 7 0 242
2023 138 54 29 32 2 4 11 0 270

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Taft Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1991 534 29.0 18.4 32.6
1992 530 28.3 18.7 34
1993 528 28.2 18.7 43.2
1994 513 28.3 18.1 42.7
1995 473 27.9 17.0 35.3
1996 473 27.9 17.0 35.3
1997 446 27.8 16.0 37.4
1998 432 23.9 18.1 38.2
1999 405 23.9 16.9 53.1
2000 386 22.3 17.3 49.5
2001 379 21.2 17.9 61.7
2002 379 23.4 16.2 61.2
2003 379 23.4 16.2 61.2
2004 352 22.5 15.6 69.6
2005 358 23.5 15.2 65.1
2006 347 23.0 15.1 65.4
2007 312 22.7 13.7 62.8
2008 328 19.6 16.7 59.5
2009 373 19.2 19.4 64.1
2010 360 19.0 18.9 72.8
2011 330 24.0 13.7 77.6
2012 348 21.2 16.3 67
2013 321 21.5 14.9 74.5
2014 345 20.3 16.9 94.8
2015 321 21.0 15.2 100
2016 326 22.0 14.8 99.1
2017 371 22.1 16.7 99.2
2018 359 22.9 15.6 98.9
2019 326 17.2 18.8 99.1
2020 321 21.2 15.1 99.1
2021 239 17.7 13.4 99.2
2022 242 17.5 13.8 99.2
2023 270 19.2 14.0 99.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Taft Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1991 534 29.0 18.4 32.6
1992 530 28.3 18.7 34
1993 528 28.2 18.7 43.2
1994 513 28.3 18.1 42.7
1995 473 27.9 17.0 35.3
1996 473 27.9 17.0 35.3
1997 446 27.8 16.0 37.4
1998 432 23.9 18.1 38.2
1999 405 23.9 16.9 53.1
2000 386 22.3 17.3 49.5
2001 379 21.2 17.9 61.7
2002 379 23.4 16.2 61.2
2003 379 23.4 16.2 61.2
2004 352 22.5 15.6 69.6
2005 358 23.5 15.2 65.1
2006 347 23.0 15.1 65.4
2007 312 22.7 13.7 62.8
2008 328 19.6 16.7 59.5
2009 373 19.2 19.4 64.1
2010 360 19.0 18.9 72.8
2011 330 24.0 13.7 77.6
2012 348 21.2 16.3 67
2013 321 21.5 14.9 74.5
2014 345 20.3 16.9 94.8
2015 321 21.0 15.2 100
2016 326 22.0 14.8 99.1
2017 371 22.1 16.7 99.2
2018 359 22.9 15.6 98.9
2019 326 17.2 18.8 99.1
2020 321 21.2 15.1 99.1
2021 239 17.7 13.4 99.2
2022 242 17.5 13.8 99.2
2023 270 19.2 14.0 99.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Taft Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,517 (20.3%) $9,873 (79.7%) $12,390

Data source: Idaho Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Taft Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 171st of 171 Elementary schoolsRanks 225th of 252 Elementary schools
 10.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
4th Grade English Language Arts (Taft Elementary School)39.128.6
 10.5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Boise Independent District)55.654.2
 1.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Idaho)5252
All Grades Math (Taft Elementary School)22.828.1
 5.3%
   All Grades Math (Boise Independent District)46.545.5
 1%
   All Grades Math (Idaho)44.441.5
 2.9%
All Grades English Language Arts (Taft Elementary School)34.930.7
 4.2%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Boise Independent District)57.355.5
 1.8%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Idaho)5552.2
 2.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students326270
 17.2%
African American8854
 38.6%
American Indian02
Asian1329
 123.1%
Hispanic4332
 25.6%
Pacific Islander54
 20%
White166138
 16.9%
Two or More Races1111
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients99.1%99.3%
 0.2%


Schools Near Taft Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Taft Elementary School

In the 2022-23 school year, 270 students attended Taft Elementary School.

Taft Elementary School ranks in the bottom 1.7% of Idaho elementary schools.

Students at Taft Elementary School are 51% White, 20% African American, 12% Hispanic, 11% Asian, 4% Two or more races, 1% Pacific Islander.

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

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


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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.





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