Highlands

Spent one year here. Highlands is the best school in the best district in a state that consistently ranks in the bottom five states in the US for school funding. The fact it has high test scores and rankings is more because the statewide bar is so low than academic excellence or quality. Idaho does not require or offer state funded all day kindergarten so it's an extra monthly fee. Highlands still has a half day option but in the current academic environment it is wholly inadequate. Teacher turnover seems high but that seemed to be a problem all over the district because teacher salaries are abysmal. That said, the teachers and staff were wonderful, compassionate, and did a tremendous amount with the inadequate resources they had. The principal in particular did her upmost to try to guide and mentor the teacher we had, to no great result. The only serious problem we encountered was a long term substitute who was very sweet and great with the kids but had no actual teaching credentials, only a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field and the willingness to try with the blessing of the Boise SD. We ended up moving and repeating kindergarten. Given a choice we would have delayed K a year and done all day. If we were to return to Boise we would opt for a private school. It should also be noted that this is an almost entirely white, well-off school with a very active and involved parent group. That doesn't offset the academic deficits, and creates a lot of peer pressure among kids to have the right brands, experiences, and affiliations - in particular, plan to join the country club across the street or your kid will get left out.