Schools in Zip Code 83851

ZIP code 83851 in Plummer, Idaho, contains three public schools serving grades PK–12, all part of the Plummer-Worley Joint District: Lakeside Elementary School (grades PK–5, 146 students), Lakeside Middle School (grades 6–8, 62 students), and Lakeside High School (grades 9–12, 125 students), with no alternative schools in the area.

These schools face significant challenges, especially with attendance and math. Chronic absenteeism is far above the state rate of 13.8% at every school: Lakeside Elementary at 33.5%, Lakeside High at 44.1%, and Lakeside Middle at a very concerning 55.2%. Math proficiency is also low: the middle school is at 10.6%, elementary at 16.7%, and high school at 21.4% on end-of-course exams, compared to state averages of 43.1% and 33.1%. Free/reduced lunch eligibility is high across all schools (61–70%), indicating a high-need student population. The high school is the relative standout, with a graduation rate of 82.5%—matching the state—and its state ranking has improved from the 4th–5th percentile a decade ago to the 20th percentile today.

There is a striking disparity in per-student spending: Lakeside High spends $21,499 per student, Lakeside Elementary spends $15,007, but Lakeside Middle spends only $5,789—the lowest funding while facing the highest absenteeism and lowest math scores. With only 62 students at the middle school, percentages translate to very small numbers of students, so year-to-year shifts can be misleading. Overall, this district serves a rural, high-poverty community, and while no school meets state averages academically, the high school shows the most progress. Prioritizing attendance, addressing funding gaps, and targeting math support would likely make the biggest difference.