Hawthorne Middle School

Hawthorne Middle School is a public middle school in Pocatello, ID, serving 612 students in grades 6–8 as part of the Pocatello District. The school serves a high-poverty population, with 56.05% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25—the highest rate among same-district rivals like Franklin Middle School (33.7%) and Irving Middle School (46.87%). Chronic absenteeism is 17.9%, matching the district average but exceeding the state's 13.8%. At $6,204 per student (2018–19 data), Hawthorne also has the lowest per-pupil spending in its local comparison group.

Academically, Hawthorne ranks in the 43rd percentile of Idaho middle schools with a 2-star rating—a position it has held steadily for several years. Math proficiency is 37.5%, below the district's 44.8% and the state's 43.1%. English Language Arts is more encouraging at 55.5%, slightly above the state average, and 8th grade ELA is a bright spot at 58.9% proficient. The biggest concern is 8th grade science, where just 36.3% of students are proficient versus the district's 47.5%. Franklin Middle School posts higher scores in every subject, but it also serves a far less economically disadvantaged population and spends more per student.

The picture is not all bleak. Hawthorne outperforms Aberdeen Middle School—which has an even higher poverty rate—despite spending about $2,900 less per student. It also beats Irving Middle School in math and ELA even though Irving has a lower poverty rate. Performance has been stable over four years, with math hovering in the mid-to-upper 30s and ELA inching upward. Attendance is a concern, and subgroup outcomes vary widely, with the school's lowest subgroup rating in the 25th percentile statewide. For parents, the key takeaway is a school doing reasonably well with limited resources, with clear priorities in math, science, and chronic absenteeism.