Malad Middle School

Malad Middle School serves 216 students in grades 6–8 in Malad City, Idaho, a small rural community in the southeastern part of the state. The school is part of the Oneida County District and is a consistent 4-star school, ranking 42nd out of 174 Idaho middle schools (76th percentile) for the 2025–2026 school year. This puts it well ahead of its home district, which ranks 49th out of 101 districts statewide.

Academically, Malad Middle significantly outperforms its district. In math, 50.2% of students are proficient compared to just 29.4% district-wide; in ELA, 64.9% are proficient versus 44.4% district-wide; and in 8th grade science, 61.4% are proficient versus 43.6% district-wide. All three subjects exceed state averages. Nearby Beutler Middle School in the West Side Joint District posts slightly higher math (54.1%) and ELA (69.6%) scores, but Malad edges it out in science (61.4% vs. 60.7%). The two schools serve similar poverty levels, with about 45% of Malad students and 47% of Beutler students eligible for free or reduced lunch. Malad actually spends more per student ($8,543 vs. $7,261) and has a similar student-teacher ratio.

The biggest concern at Malad Middle is chronic absenteeism, which sits at 20.7% — about 1.5 times the state average and more than double Beutler's 9.0%. This has been a persistent issue for several years, ranging from roughly 20% to 23% since 2021. The district's reported absenteeism rate of 1.2% appears implausibly low and may reflect data reporting inconsistencies. Despite the attendance challenges, Malad continues to post strong test scores, which points to solid classroom instruction. However, the school has slipped from its 2022–2023 peak (85th percentile) to its current 76th percentile, and rising poverty rates combined with high absenteeism suggest this is a trend worth watching. Improving attendance could be the key to closing the gap with Beutler and returning to its former standing.