Hibbard Elementary School

Hibbard Elementary School in Rexburg, ID, serves 292 students in grades K–4 as part of the Madison District, earning a 3-star rating and ranking 142nd out of 346 Idaho elementary schools. The school draws from a comparatively low-poverty attendance zone, with 27.1% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch — the lowest rate among nearby Madison schools.

Academically, Hibbard is a solid performer. In 2025–2026, 50.8% of students were proficient in math and 56.6% in English Language Arts — roughly 15 points above the Madison District average and at or above state averages. Math is a clear strength, running 7.7 points above the state. Comparisons to nearby schools add context: Adams Elementary outranks Hibbard in both subjects despite nearly double the poverty rate, while Burton Elementary posts a slightly higher ELA score despite higher poverty and higher per-student spending. Hibbard's per-student spending of $6,209 is the lowest among nearby schools, suggesting efficient use of resources. The school also shares its campus with the Madison Early Childhood Center, potentially supporting early-grade readiness.

The biggest red flag is attendance. Hibbard's chronic absenteeism rate of 16.6% in 2025–2026 exceeds both the Madison District rate (10.7%) and the state rate (13.8%). The pattern matters: when absenteeism spiked at 24.8% in 2022–2023, ELA proficiency fell to 33.7%; as attendance improved, ELA scores rebounded to 56.6%. The recent uptick in absenteeism is worth watching closely. Hibbard's ranking has also been volatile — it ranked 10th in Idaho in 2009–2010, fell sharply, and has since recovered to the middle-high tier. For parents, the bottom line is a well-run, efficient school with strong math results, but attendance is the key factor to monitor in coming years.