Schools in Zip Code 83450

Zip code 83450 in Terreton, Idaho, serves 583 students across three public schools in the West Jefferson District: Terreton Elementary School (PK–6), West Jefferson Middle School (7–8), and West Jefferson High School (9–12). The district overall ranks 77th out of 101 Idaho districts (24th percentile) with a 1-star rating, yet school-level performance varies dramatically across the three buildings.

West Jefferson High School is the clear standout, earning a 3-star rating and ranking at the 54th percentile statewide after improving from the 35th percentile last year. It posts 63.9% ELA proficiency — above the state average — with a remarkably low 5.8% chronic absenteeism rate, all while serving a population where 52% of students qualify for free/reduced-price lunch. By contrast, West Jefferson Middle School is the most concerning school in the area, ranking 173rd out of 174 Idaho middle schools (1st percentile). Its math proficiency (25.3%) and ELA proficiency (22.1%) are both far below state averages, and its chronic absenteeism rate of 18.9% is more than triple the high school's. Terreton Elementary School sits in the middle: it improved from the 10th to the 27th percentile year over year, with math proficiency (44.4%) slightly above the state average, but ELA proficiency (36.1%) remains well below the state's 54.0%.

The most striking finding is the 41.8 percentage-point gap in ELA proficiency between the high school (63.9%) and middle school (22.1%) — two schools serving the same community. This points to a serious "middle school problem" rather than district-wide weakness. The middle school has declined from the 47th percentile in 2016–2017 to the 1st percentile today, signaling an urgent need for intervention. Meanwhile, the elementary school's high student–teacher ratio (21.8:1) and the high school's exactly-average graduation rate (82.5%) present ongoing challenges. For parents, the picture is clear: the high school demonstrates what is possible in this district, while the middle school needs immediate attention to prevent students from falling behind before reaching ninth grade.