Ustick Elementary School

We’ve had our children at Pioneer School of the Arts for two years now, and our experience has been nothing short of amazing. The teachers truly go above and beyond — they care deeply about every student, communicate often, and consistently welcome parent involvement in so many ways. Whether it’s volunteering in class, helping prepare materials, or participating in events, they make families feel part of a real community.Both my girls are part of the Gifted and Talented programs that are now offered in-house starting in 2026. The accelerated placement process wasn’t the easiest (it never is anywhere), but the staff listened, improved the process, and kept us informed every step of the way. Bureaucracy is rarely fun, but Pioneer handled it with transparency and care.The teachers are wonderfully communicative and visible, regularly sharing photos and updates that help parents stay connected to daily classroom life. The principal, Mr. Jakious, is approachable, engaged, and supportive — he sets a wonderful tone for the school community. The admin team, including Mrs. Jill Barton and Liz Ramsey, is exceptional — always kind, patient, and ready to help with anything from a forgotten coat or lunch box to scheduling and general inquiries. Their friendliness and efficiency make such a difference in daily school life.Starting fourth grade, students can choose a music elective — Orchestra, Band, CPAL, or Choir — while k-3rd graders experience both music and CPAL, which includes learning keyboard skills. These creative programs are a highlight and beautifully align with the school’s arts-based mission.The school also offers enriching programs like Pumathon during recess and countless community-based events that bring everyone together. Like in every school, parents have to advocate for their kids — that’s our job — but here, you truly feel supported in doing so.We made the transition from a Montessori-style private school after five years, initially apprehensive about public schools in Idaho after hearing some horror stories. But our worries disappeared almost immediately. Pioneer stands out for its creativity, arts integration, engaged teachers, wonderful staff and a fantastic PTA that brings it all together. We’re so grateful to be part of this community and can’t imagine being anywhere else.

As the parent of a kindergartner, I trusted Summerwind STEM Academy to provide a safe and supervised learning environment. That trust was broken when my 5-year-old son experienced multiple incidents of physical and sexual misconduct from another student — incidents that were reported directly to school staff.Despite repeated disclosures, and my direct requests to separate the students and speak with the principal, no meaningful steps were taken. Days passed. More incidents occurred. My son continued to be harmed. Ultimately, we withdrew him for his safety.In a recorded conversation with my wife, the principal admitted that no protective actions had been implemented and implied that my son bore some responsibility for what occurred. That response is not only trauma-ignorant — it's legally indefensible and ethically inexcusable.I am now pursuing legal action to address what I believe to be institutional negligence and failure to follow mandatory safety procedures. I am sharing this not as a threat, but as a warning to other families: please ask tough questions about how this school handles reports of harm, and whether your child will be protected if something happens.This review reflects my personal experience and opinion based on direct communication with school administrators and firsthand events.

This school is poorly organized and struggles with positive communication. They struggle holding themselves accountable for anything. If your child has an option for a different school choice, I would highly recommend avoiding this school at all costs.

My son has had an amazing experience at McMillian. After being transfered from a different school where my son was bullied and where his IEP was not followed. McMillian has a good special needs programs for Idaho. The class sizes are smaller and the mainstream teachers do have experience and training in special needs.