Best Public Schools in Zip Code 83702

Zip code 83702 in Boise, ID is home to 6 public schools in the Boise Independent District — four elementary schools serving PK–6 (Whittier, Highlands, Washington, and Longfellow), one middle school (North Junior High for grades 7–9), and one high school (Boise Senior High for grades 9–12), totaling about 3,695 students. Families have excellent elementary options: Longfellow Elementary ranks 9th in Idaho (97th percentile, 5 stars) with 77.7% math and 85.8% ELA proficiency, and it has improved dramatically from 51st place just two years ago. Highlands Elementary (17th, 95th percentile) posts 71.6% math and 77.3% ELA proficiency with the best 5th-grade science in the zip (77.5%), while Washington Elementary (27th, 92nd percentile) hits 72.7% math and 78.3% ELA.

At the middle school level, North Junior High is a strong performer, ranking 25th of 174 Idaho middle schools (86th percentile) and beating state averages by 20–25 points in math and 10+ points in ELA and science. The picture at Boise Senior High is more concerning — it has slipped to the 36th percentile statewide, with science (36.2%) and ELA (49.8%) proficiency below state averages despite solid math (39.1%). Whittier Elementary is the clear outlier at the opposite end: ranked 306th of 346 (12th percentile, 1 star), with just 29% math and 34.6% ELA proficiency.

The zip code has a stark socioeconomic divide: Whittier serves 98.4% economically disadvantaged students, while Highlands serves just 6.5%, and this tracks closely with test scores. Chronic absenteeism is also a warning sign — 33.8% at Whittier, more than 4.5 times Longfellow's 7.2%, while Washington (24.2%) and Boise High (21.6%) also exceed district and state averages. Notably, spending does not explain performance: Whittier spends $9,813 per student but has the lowest scores, while Longfellow spends less ($8,983) and achieves far more. Bottom line: this area offers top-tier elementary options, a strong middle school, and a high school with room to improve, with Whittier clearly needing the most targeted support around attendance and academics.