Chief Joseph School Of The Arts

Chief Joseph School Of The Arts is an elementary school in Meridian, Idaho, serving 505 students in grades PK–5 as part of Joint School District No. 2. The school currently ranks in the 77th percentile of Idaho elementary schools with a 4-star rating, placing it solidly above the state median but below several high-achieving schools in its immediate area. About 47% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, a notably higher rate than most nearby schools.

Where this school truly shines is in its results for specific groups of students. Hispanic students at Chief Joseph rank in the 97th percentile statewide—2nd out of 58 schools—and the school has historically posted exceptional results for low-income students as well. Attendance is another clear bright spot: chronic absenteeism has fallen from 27% in 2021–22 to just 9.9% in 2025–26, now better than both the district (12.7%) and state (13.8%) averages. The school also invests heavily in its students, spending $7,649 per student—more than any nearby school—while maintaining a low student-teacher ratio of 14.9 to 1.

Academically, math is a relative strength (60% proficient vs. 57.6% district), but English Language Arts lags behind the district (62.2% vs. 69.1%), and that gap has widened in recent years. The contrast with Pioneer School Of The Arts is particularly striking: both are arts-themed schools in the same district, located about two miles apart, yet Pioneer ranks in the 92nd percentile with notably higher scores in ELA (74%), math (70.5%), and 5th-grade science (77.4% vs. 52.6%). Much of this gap is likely tied to demographics—Pioneer's free/reduced lunch rate is less than half of Chief Joseph's—but it highlights the academic challenge ahead. With small classes, strong attendance, and proven success with disadvantaged students, Chief Joseph has the foundation to strengthen its literacy outcomes and climb back toward the top tier of Idaho elementary schools.