Schools in Zip Code 83543

Zip code 83543 is served by a single school, Nezperce School, a PK–12 alternative school in the Nezperce Joint District that enrolls 174 students and serves as the sole educational institution for this small, rural Idaho community. Because there is only one school, all comparisons are made against state averages rather than other local schools. Nezperce School is the standout by default, but it also stands out for performing above state averages in all three core subjects, maintaining a low chronic absenteeism rate, and offering a very low student-teacher ratio of 9.9.

More than half of the students (52.3%) qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, yet the school’s overall proficiency rates exceed the state in math (50.0% vs. 43.1%), science (43.2% vs. 42.7%), and English language arts (62.2% vs. 54.0%). The strongest subject is ELA, with an 8.2 percentage point lead over the state. The chronic absenteeism rate is just 9.2%, compared with 13.8% statewide, and the graduation rate is 82.5%. Per-student spending of $18,121 is high, reflecting the costs of operating a small, all-grades school, and the low student-teacher ratio suggests students receive substantial individual attention.

The main areas for improvement are middle school ELA and eighth-grade math. Fifth-grade ELA proficiency is 50.0% versus 55.2% statewide, and sixth-grade ELA is 43.8% versus 51.5%, though seventh and eighth grade recover to at or above state levels. Eighth-grade math is the weakest subject, at 38.5% compared with 41.2% statewide. In contrast, third-grade math (61.5%) and eighth-grade science (53.8%) are clear strengths. Proficiency has remained stable across the two most recent school years, with a slight decline in science. Nezperce School demonstrates that a school with a majority economically disadvantaged student body can still achieve strong outcomes, and as the only school in the zip code, it serves as the educational hub for the entire community.