Top-Ranked Local Schools Shine in National Rankings

Top-Performing Schools in Idaho Falls Recognized Nationally

Idaho Falls has two local schools that have been recognized as top-performing institutions in a national ranking. These schools not only stand out for their academic achievements but also meet or exceed expectations in various categories.

According to the U.S. News and World Report High School Rankings, Idaho Falls High School (IFHS) is ranked as the top school in the area, with Compass Academy following closely behind as the second. The rankings are based on test scores from 2021 to 2024, using data from the Idaho Standards Achievement Test, as well as information from the College Board regarding Advanced Placement (AP) exams and the number of seniors who took them.

Graduation Rates: A Key Indicator of Success

Looking at graduation rates, IFHS reported an 84% graduation rate in 2024. This surpasses Idaho’s targeted graduation rate of 81.4% and the state average of 82.3%, according to the Idaho Department of Education’s Idaho Report Card.

Compass Academy, on the other hand, has a 95% graduation rate. The state report card shows that the school's five-year graduation rate for 2023 was 96.3%, while its 2024 class four-year graduation rate was 87.8%. However, the Idaho Report Card indicates that Compass Academy’s four-year graduation rate is 87.8%, and its five-year rate is 96.3%. For IFHS, the four-year graduation rate is 84.9%, and the five-year rate is 84.4%.

The five-year graduation rate accounts for students who need additional support and do not graduate within the traditional four-year timeframe.

Graduation Rates for Idaho Falls High School - U.S. News and World Report: 84% - Idaho Department of Education’s Report Card: Four-Year Graduation Rate — 84.9% | Five-Year Graduation Rate — 84.4%

Graduation Rates for Compass Academy - U.S. News and World Report: 95% - Idaho Department of Education’s Report Card: Four-Year Graduation Rate — 87.8% | Five-Year Graduation Rate — 96.3%

District 91 Superintendent Karla LaOrange emphasized the importance of improving graduation rates. Between 2019 and 2023, the district’s five-year graduation rates declined from 91% to 77.6%. To address this, the district implemented two new changes aimed at improving grades and graduation rates.

The first change involved transitioning to a four-day school week, allowing the fifth day for student support. This model was piloted at Emerson Alternative High School, where the number of students not graduating dropped by 50%.

The second change included the creation of a Dean of Students position at high schools to help increase graduation rates. IFHS Principal Dallen Parker stated that the dean's role is to provide another layer of intervention for students who are falling behind.

English, Math, and Science Proficiency

U.S. News and World Report lists IFHS at 39% proficiency in math, 74% in reading, and 48% in science. According to the Idaho Report Card, the school’s proficiency rates are 66% in English language arts, 28.4% in math, and 33.4% in science. The English language arts score is above Idaho’s target of 53.6%.

Parker attributed these results to the work of teachers and the use of the intervention model, which allows teachers to help students meet state standards in key subjects.

Subject Proficiency for Idaho Falls High School - U.S. News and World Report: Mathematics 39% | Reading 74% | Science 48% - Idaho Department of Education’s Report Card: Mathematics 28.4% | English, Language, Arts 66% | Science 33.4%

Subject Proficiency for Compass Academy - U.S. News and World Report: Mathematics 22% | Reading 69% | Science 30% - Idaho Department of Education’s Report Card: Mathematics around 21% | English, Language, Arts 62.5% | Science around 38%

At Compass Academy, the U.S. News report shows the school at 69% proficiency in reading, 22% in math, and 30% in science. The state’s report card shows Compass Academy at 62.5% proficiency in English language arts and about 21% in math and 38% in science.

Compass Academy’s curriculum is centered on project-based learning, which includes components that help students learn key concepts as they progress through the class. An example is the art and chemistry classes, where students learned how to make paint pigment and explored other pathways.

Advanced Placement and College Credits

The U.S. News report shows that at IFHS, 37% of all seniors took an AP exam, and of those, 23% scored a three or higher. The passing rate for all students who took an AP test was 67%. Parker noted that IFHS’s AP exam pass rate is 88%, a consistent trend over the past five years.

At Compass Academy, Armstrong said the school’s AP exam pass rate over the past year was 81%, with two courses achieving a 100% pass rate. The U.S. News report shows that among all seniors, 32% took an AP exam and 18% passed, with a passing rate of 57%.

Parker mentioned that this year, IFHS is offering 21 dual-credit classes, allowing students to earn up to 73 college credits. The school plans to offer more dual-credit courses, providing students with the opportunity to earn both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree simultaneously.