Schools in Zip Code 83856

Zip code 83856, covering the Priest River and Priest Lake area of Idaho, has three schools serving 801 students in grades PK–12: Priest River Lamanna High (grades 7–12), Priest River Elementary School (PK–6), and Priest Lake Elementary School (PK–7), all within the West Bonner County District (ranked 82nd out of 101 Idaho districts). While the district rank is low, individual school performance varies widely.

The clear academic standout is Priest Lake Elementary School, which posts exceptional scores despite having only 49 students: 60% math proficiency (vs. 32.6% district and 43.1% state) and 76% ELA proficiency (vs. 43.4% district and 54% state). In contrast, Priest River Elementary School shows strong improvement, rising from a 1-star to 2-star rating, with math now at the state average (43.4%). However, its ELA proficiency (42.1%) lags behind, and chronic absenteeism is highest here at 26%. Priest River Lamanna High is the weakest area of concern: math proficiency sits at just 19% (down from 27.4%), science at 24%, and ELA at 37.3%, all well below state averages. Its 82.5% graduation rate means roughly one in five students doesn't graduate on time.

Across the area, chronic absenteeism is a systemic issue at 22–26%, nearly double the state rate. The high school also spends the most per student ($13,902) yet has the lowest scores, suggesting spending alone doesn't drive outcomes. Meanwhile, Priest Lake Elementary School has the lowest poverty rate (34.69% free/reduced lunch) and the best student-teacher ratio at 14.2 to 1. Notably, the high school starts at 7th grade, with no traditional middle school, so its data includes younger students. Overall, parents will find a small-school environment where elementary success stories coexist with significant high school challenges.