Summary:
The 83401 zip code in Idaho Falls, Idaho, is home to three middle schools serving a combined 1,667 students across grades 6 through 10. The schools include Black Canyon Middle School and Rocky Mountain Middle School, both part of the Bonneville Joint District and serving grades 7–8, plus Elevate Academy East Idaho, a distinct charter school under the Elevate Academy East Idaho LLC district that serves a broader grade span of 6–10.
Black Canyon is the clear standout. It ranks 85th of 174 Idaho middle schools with a 3-star rating and has improved dramatically over three years, moving from the 24th to the 51st percentile. Its math, English, and science proficiency rates are at or above state averages. Rocky Mountain trails significantly, ranking 124th of 174 with a 1-star rating, and its 8th grade science proficiency stands at just 25.4% compared to Black Canyon's 46.8%. Elevate Academy East Idaho is the highest concern, ranking 170th of 174 with a 0-star rating. Its math proficiency is 11.4%, far below the state average of 43.1%.
Across all three, poverty and attendance levels track performance. Black Canyon has the lowest free/reduced lunch rate (35.2%) and chronic absenteeism (14.5%), while Elevate has the highest of both (53.8% and 33.2%). Both traditional middle schools also show a significant drop in test scores from 7th to 8th grade, especially Rocky Mountain in math. On a positive note, all three improved their math scores year over year. Elevate's unusual structure and small class sizes have not overcome the challenges of high poverty and absenteeism, so comparisons to traditional middle schools should be made with caution.
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