SchoolsFriday, November 13
Idaho public schools lost 8,983 students this fall, and the Boise School District lost 1,085
The Daily Boise team
If you follow Boise schools, here's the number to know. Idaho public school enrollment fell by 8,983 students this fall, or 2.9%, to 304,871, according to the Idaho Department of Education. It's the largest drop in at least 10 years and the fourth in a row.
8,983fewer students in Idaho public schools than at the end of last school year
Enrollment is 304,871, down from 313,854.
Source: Idaho Education News
The Boise School District, Idaho's second largest, lost 1,085 students, or 5%. Charter schools posted a net gain of about 515, helped by seven openings this fall. The drop comes in the first year of the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit, which 12,561 students applied for. It's worth up to $5,000 per student, or $7,500 for a student with special needs.
- Districts that lost students: 102 of 117
- Charters that gained or held: 39 of 82
- Biggest district gain: 30 students in Plummer-Worley
Boise lost more students than any other district this fall
Source: Idaho Education News
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Boise | 1,085 |
| West Ada | 745 |
| Idaho Home Learning Acad. | 742 |
| Nampa | 646 |
| Pocatello | 518 |
Meanwhile, Boise renters saw an 8% hike. Rents rose 8% in 2026, one of the fastest increases in the nation.
Sources: Idaho Education News, KTVB