Hagerman School

Hagerman School is an alternative public school in Hagerman, ID, serving 311 students in grades PK–12 within the Hagerman Joint District, and it stands out as a surprisingly strong academic performer despite its alternative designation. The school serves a predominantly low-income student body, with 57.2% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024-2025, up from 45.8% two years earlier. With a 12:1 student-teacher ratio and per-student spending of $11,433, Hagerman achieves its results without the staffing or budget advantages some neighbors have, making its outcomes even more notable.

Academically, Hagerman consistently outperforms the state and nearby alternative schools in math and English language arts. In 2025-2026, 52.3% of students were proficient in math and 55.9% in ELA, both above Idaho’s state averages (43.1% and 54.0%). That math proficiency is nearly double that of Bliss School (24.6%) and about 20 points higher than North Valley Academy (32.3%). Hagerman also outpaces its own district in both subjects, effectively carrying the district’s academic performance. Its graduation rate has historically been above the state, though it recently slipped to 82.5% in 2024-2025, matching the state average exactly.

The school’s main vulnerability is science. End-of-course science proficiency was just 23.8% in 2025-2026, far below the state’s 41.2%, and similar gaps appeared the previous year. This is the clearest area for improvement, especially since math and ELA remain strong even as economic need has risen sharply without a corresponding drop in test scores. Overall, Hagerman School offers a positive academic profile for parents, especially compared with nearby alternatives like Idaho School For The Deaf And The Blind, though its science results and recent graduation slide are worth monitoring.