Summary:
Zip code 83323 in Declo, Idaho, is served by three public schools—Declo Elementary School (PK-5), Declo Junior High School (6-8), and Declo Senior High School (9-12)—which together enroll 1,028 students and belong to the Cassia County Joint District, a district ranked 64th out of 101 Idaho districts. The three schools vary noticeably in performance, attendance, and trends, so parents will find meaningful differences depending on the grade level.
Declo Junior High School stands out as the strongest academic performer overall, particularly in math, where 51.5% of students are proficient compared to 43.1% statewide; its 6th grade math proficiency of 63.6% is well above the state average. Declo Senior High School shines in English Language Arts, with 76.5% proficiency on the End of Course exam, far exceeding both the district and state, and it also posts an exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of 3.1%. However, the high school's math (23.5%) and science (35.3%) proficiency lag behind state averages. Declo Elementary School is the biggest concern: its state ranking fell from the 59th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 28th percentile in 2025-2026, with 5th grade math (24.7%) and science (28.8%) dramatically below state levels.
Attendance is a bright spot across all three schools, with chronic absenteeism below district and state averages. Graduation at Declo Senior High School sits at 82.5%, matching the state average despite strong ELA scores. Declo Elementary School serves a higher share of economically disadvantaged students (45.7% free/reduced lunch) and has the largest student-teacher ratio (23.2), which may be relevant to its decline. The middle school is the most consistent performer, beating the district in every subject, while the high school offers a strong literacy focus but needs more emphasis on STEM. Parents in this area should note that the district's 2-star rating masks real pockets of strength, especially at the junior high, and should investigate the notable drop in elementary performance and the mismatch between weak 5th-grade math and strong 6th-grade math at the junior high.
Thank you for your feedback!