Bickel Elementary School is a public elementary school in Twin Falls, Idaho, serving 199 students in grades PK-5. Despite being part of the Twin Falls School District, which is ranked 61 out of 77 districts in the state, Bickel Elementary has consistently been ranked in the bottom half of Idaho elementary schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.
Bickel Elementary stands out for its diverse student population, with a higher percentage of Hispanic (29.15%) and African American (5.03%) students compared to nearby schools. However, the school faces significant challenges, including a high chronic absenteeism rate (16.9%) and consistently lower test scores in both math and English language arts compared to the district and state averages. For example, in 2023-2024, only 29.7% of Bickel students were proficient or better in ISAT/Math, compared to 36.8% for the district and 42.2% for the state. Additionally, Bickel Elementary has a very high percentage of students (75.88%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, significantly higher than the nearby Rock Creek Elementary, Pillar Falls Elementary, and Morningside Elementary schools.
Despite having the highest per-student spending ($10,022 in 2018-2019) among the nearby schools, Bickel Elementary's academic performance remains significantly lower, suggesting that simply increasing funding may not be the sole solution to improving student outcomes. Addressing the root causes of the school's challenges, such as chronic absenteeism and the impact of poverty on educational outcomes, will require a multifaceted approach that considers the unique needs and circumstances of the school and its community.
In the 2023-24 school year, 196 students attended Bickel Elementary School.
Students at Bickel Elementary School are 56% White, 29% Hispanic, 6% African American, 4% Pacific Islander, 4% Two or more races, 1% Asian, 1% American Indian.
Twin Falls District
Students who attend Bickel Elementary School usually go on to attend:Middle : South Hills Middle SchoolHigh : Twin Falls High School
Bickel Elementary School ranks in the bottom 11.0% of Idaho elementary schools.