Best Public Schools in Zip Code 83261

Zip code 83261 in Paris, Idaho, is home to just two schools, both part of the Bear Lake County District: Bear Lake On-Line Learning (K–8) and Paris Elementary School (PK–5). There are no traditional middle or high schools in the area, so the virtual school is the only option for grades 6–8 within the zip code.

Paris Elementary School is the stronger of the two schools. It ranks in the 48th percentile statewide, and its all-grade proficiency rates in math (46.5%) and English language arts (56.3%) both exceed Idaho’s averages. The school also has a standout 3rd grade math performance (63.6% proficient) and a low chronic absenteeism rate of 7.8%, well below the state’s 13.8%. However, Paris saw a significant year-over-year decline in both math (from 71% to 46.5%) and ELA (from 69.4% to 56.3%), and its 5th grade science proficiency (32%) lags the state. Bear Lake On-Line Learning remains the lower-performing school overall, but it is improving quickly. Its percentile rank jumped from 15th to 34th in two years, and proficiency rose in every subject, with 7th grade ELA reaching 60%, above the state rate.

For parents, the key distinction is between a traditional school with stronger current results and a virtual school showing rapid gains. Paris Elementary serves a majority low-income population (55.97% free/reduced lunch) yet still outperforms the state in math and ELA, which is notable. Bear Lake Online does not report demographic or operational data, making it harder to compare, but its upward trend is encouraging. Given the absence of a secondary school in the area, families with older students should plan for options outside the zip code. Overall, the area offers a solid traditional elementary school and an improving online alternative, with the main concern being Paris’s recent test score drop and weak 5th grade science performance.