Best High Schools in Zip Code 83617

Zip code 83617 covers the Emmett, Idaho area and contains two high schools serving grades 6–12, both in the Emmett Independent District: the large comprehensive Emmett High School and the much smaller Black Canyon Junior/Senior High School. Emmett High School serves grades 9–12 with 680 students and is the standout performer, ranking 64th out of 159 Idaho high schools (60th percentile, 3 stars) and showing steady improvement in recent years. Black Canyon, by contrast, is a small school with 142 students spanning grades 6–12, and it faces significant challenges in academics and attendance despite much higher per-student spending and smaller class sizes.

The two schools differ dramatically on nearly every metric. Emmett High's chronic absenteeism rate is just 3.6%, compared to 25.0% at Black Canyon and 13.8% statewide. ELA proficiency at Emmett High reaches 55.3% across all grades (above the state average of 53.9%), while Black Canyon's ELA proficiency is only 15.2%. Emmett High also earned 62.1% on the end-of-course ELA exam. However, Emmett High's math (36.9%) and science (28.5%) proficiency fall below district and state averages. Black Canyon's free/reduced lunch rate is 59.86%, notably higher than Emmett High's 41.47%, which aligns with lower test scores and higher absenteeism.

Perhaps the most striking finding is that money and class size do not predict success here. Black Canyon spends $18,336 per student — about 2.65 times Emmett High's $6,906 — and has a much better student-teacher ratio of 12.6 versus 23.4, yet its outcomes are far weaker. Both schools share the same district and an identical reported graduation rate of 82.5%, though this figure should be interpreted cautiously. For parents, Emmett High School is the stronger choice academically, with solid attendance and improving rankings. Black Canyon Junior/Senior High School appears to serve a higher-need population and may offer a smaller, more individualized environment, but prospective families should be aware of its attendance and achievement challenges before enrolling.