Summary:
Zip code 83522 contains one elementary school, Prairie Elementary School in Cottonwood, Idaho, serving grades PK through 6 with 222 students in the Cottonwood Joint District. The district is ranked #7 out of 101 Idaho districts, earning a 5-star rating, and Prairie Elementary itself ranked in the 89th percentile statewide for 2025–2026 after sitting in the 96th percentile the previous year.
Academically, Prairie Elementary outperforms state averages across every tested subject. Math proficiency is 72.1% compared to the state average of 43.1%, English Language Arts proficiency is 70.5% versus 54.0%, and 5th-grade science proficiency is 60.0% versus 44.0%. Grade-level math scores range from 66.7% in 3rd grade to 80.6% in 4th grade, while ELA ranges from 56.7% in 3rd grade to 77.1% in both 4th and 5th grades. Chronic absenteeism is remarkably low at just 2.3%, about six times lower than the state average of 13.8%. The school serves a moderate share of economically disadvantaged students, with 32.88% receiving free or reduced-price lunch, and maintains a favorable 12.9:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
While proficiency rates dipped from 2024–2025 to 2025–2026 (math fell from 80.3% to 72.1%, ELA from 78.8% to 70.5%, and science held steady at 60%), the school remains comfortably above state benchmarks. The clearest opportunities for growth are 3rd-grade literacy and overall science proficiency, though both still exceed state averages. Historical ranking data shows the school has consistently placed in the top 15% of Idaho elementary schools across available years. Overall, Prairie Elementary is a high-achieving school with outstanding attendance, strong district support, and academic results that make it a standout choice for families in the Cottonwood area.
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