Summary:
The zip code 83442 area of Rigby, Idaho is home to four elementary schools—Cottonwood Elementary, South Fork Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, and Harwood Elementary School—serving roughly 2,249 students in grades PK through 5 as part of the Jefferson County Joint District, a 3-star district ranking 39th out of 101 in Idaho.
Cottonwood Elementary is the clear academic leader, jumping from the 41st to the 69th percentile in one year and posting the highest ELA proficiency (60.2%) while exceeding the district in both math and ELA. South Fork Elementary School counters with the best math score (58.4%) but struggles in reading, with only 42.2% of third graders proficient in ELA. Jefferson Elementary School is the most consistent, holding a 3-star rating and performing at or above district averages in every subject, including the strongest science score (50.0%) and the lowest chronic absenteeism (16.5%). Harwood Elementary School, meanwhile, is the primary concern: it has held a 1-star rating for three straight years, with the highest poverty rate (40.7%) and the lowest scores in math, ELA, and science.
Interestingly, Harwood spends the most per student ($6,633) yet achieves the least, while Cottonwood has the largest class sizes (21.6:1) and the top ELA scores—suggesting class size and funding alone don't drive results. All four schools exceed district (12.5%) and state (13.8%) chronic absenteeism rates, signaling a community-wide attendance challenge. Harwood's 31.3% science proficiency is a particular red flag, trailing the state by roughly 13 points. For parents, Cottonwood offers the strongest overall academics, Jefferson provides balanced, steady performance, South Fork excels in math, and Harwood likely needs the most support.
Thank you for your feedback!