Idaho’s school districts are ramping up to another bustling back-to-school season. This fall, schools across Idaho will see nearly 320,000 students back in the classroom.
While some districts don’t start until September, others start as early as mid-August.
EdNews gathered the back-to-school details for the state’s largest districts. (To find the start and stop dates for every Idaho district and charter, click here.)
Here’s some of what’s new:
West Ada
When: On Aug. 14, Idaho’s largest school district will see 40,000 students back in the classroom. The first day in West Ada is a late start, as announced on the district website.
What’s new: A new policy in the district restricts cell phone use in the classroom. Students should be prepared to turn their devices off, and set them aside (in a locker or designated classroom space) until class is over. Teachers may allow students to use their phones on occasion, for educational or emergency use.
Helpful links:
Boise
When: Boise’s K-12 students will return to the classroom on Aug. 14. The first day of school will be early release.
What’s new: Boise trustees approved an initiative that will offer free breakfasts to all students, starting this school year. The board hopes the free meal will support learning, health and wellness, and inclusivity in the classroom.
Helpful links:
Bonneville
When: Bonneville elementary students will return to school on Aug. 26 for a full day’s instruction. Seventh graders, ninth graders, and all students at Lincoln High School will return on Aug. 26, for a half day. Eighth, 10th, 11th and 12th graders will return to school on Aug. 27, for a full day’s instruction.
What’s new: Students at Hillcrest and Bonneville high schools will see new assistant principals on campus this year. The board recently hired Casey Faulkner as the assistant principal for Bonneville High, and Phil Abshire as the assistant principal for Hillcrest. Faulkner was previously an eighth grade teacher at Rocky Mountain Middle School, and has taught in the area for 15 years. Abshire previously taught special education, and served as a SPED curriculum coordinator in Illinois.
Helpful links:
Nampa
When: Nampa students will return to the classroom on Aug. 19. For Nampa kindergarteners, orientation will take place Aug. 19, with the first day of kindergarten on Aug. 20.
What’s new: Nampa schools will follow a four-day school week this year, after trustees approved a new calendar in April. Most weeks, Nampa students will attend school Monday-Thursday, with Friday off. On weeks when a holiday falls on a Monday — like Labor Day — students will attend school on the Friday of that week. For more information, see Nampa’s district calendar, linked below.
Helpful links:
Pocatello-Chubbuck
When: Pocatello students will return to school on Aug. 21. Kindergarten orientation will occur Aug. 21, with kindergarten classes beginning Aug. 22.
What’s new: A plan to rebuild Highland High School is underway, after a fire destroyed sections of the school in 2023. The project is slated to be complete by the fall of 2027.
Helpful links:
- Student calendar
- School supply lists
- Transportation
Idaho Falls
When: K-6th students, seventh graders, ninth graders and Emerson Alternative students will return to school on Aug. 27. Eighth, 10th and 12th graders will return to school on Aug. 28.
What’s new: Starting this fall, Idaho Falls middle and high school students will attend school four days a week, with Fridays offered as intervention days. For elementary students, Fridays will be early release days. For more information, see the district calendar, linked below.
Helpful links:
Vallivue
When: Vallivue students will return to the classroom Aug. 14.
What’s new: A food pantry at Summitvue Middle School is now open to Vallivue families. The pantry is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Families can pick up a food box once a week. To receive a food box, families should call the office before 10 a.m. on the day before they plan to pick it up.
For more information, head to the district website. Helpful links:
Coeur d’Alene
When: The Coeur d’Alene district will see students back in the classroom on Sept. 3.
What’s new: The district calendar no longer includes late starts on Monday. Instead, the district will incorporate a two-hour early release on Fridays.
Helpful links:
Twin Falls
When: Twin Falls students will return to the classroom Aug. 19.
What’s new: Twin Falls students will no longer be able to use cell phones during school. According to a new policy, cell phone use will be prohibited during the school day for all students, with one exception for high schoolers, who will be allowed to use their devices during the lunch hour.
Helpful links:
To find the start and stop dates for every Idaho district and charter, click here. For more back-to-school information, contact your local district officials or school website.
