Middle Schools in Minidoka County Joint District

The Minidoka County Joint District in Idaho is home to three middle schools: West Minico Middle School, East Minico Middle School, and Minidoka Junior High Alternative. While the district serves a predominantly low-income student population, with over 54% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, the schools consistently perform below state averages on key metrics like test scores and chronic absenteeism rates.

None of the three middle schools in the Minidoka County Joint District stand out as clear performers. All three schools struggle with low test scores, with proficiency rates in ISAT Math, Science, and English Language Arts significantly below the state averages. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the state average for ISAT Math proficiency was 42.2%, while West Minico Middle School scored just 21% and East Minico Middle School scored 26.6%. Additionally, the chronic absenteeism rates at these schools are high, ranging from 31% at West Minico Middle School to 35% at East Minico Middle School.

The demographic makeup of the schools is relatively homogeneous, with a majority of White and Hispanic students. However, the district's struggles to provide quality education are evident across all three middle schools, suggesting a systemic issue that needs to be addressed. With high poverty levels, low test scores, and high chronic absenteeism rates, the Minidoka County Joint District may need to implement significant improvements and interventions to better support its students and improve educational outcomes.