High Schools in Jefferson County Joint District

The Jefferson County Joint District in Idaho is home to two high schools: Rigby High School and Jefferson High School. While Rigby High School consistently ranks among the top high schools in the state, Jefferson High School appears to be struggling, with low academic performance and high chronic absenteeism rates.

Rigby High School stands out as the high-performing school in the district, with a statewide ranking of 37 out of 159 schools and a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school boasts strong academic performance, with over 50% of students proficient or better in ISAT Math and English Language Arts, and a relatively low chronic absenteeism rate of 11.6%. In contrast, Jefferson High School has consistently low statewide rankings, a 0-star rating, and very low academic performance, with only 14.2% of students proficient or better in ISAT Science. The school also struggles with a high chronic absenteeism rate of 55.4% and a low 4-year graduation rate of 58.3%.

The data reveals significant disparities between the two high schools in the Jefferson County Joint District. While factors such as student-teacher ratio and per-student spending are similar, the differences in academic achievement, attendance, and graduation rates suggest that other factors, such as school culture, resources, and instructional quality, may be playing a crucial role in driving these outcomes. Understanding and addressing the root causes of these disparities could be essential for ensuring equitable educational opportunities for all students in the district.