Jefferson Elementary School

200 South Latah Street

School District

Boise Independent District
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for Boise Independent District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by other on September 10, 2021

I attended Jefferson Elementary as one of the students in the Excel program who moved over from Collister in 2012. I spent the fourth through sixth grades there, and while many of my memories of the school have been lost to time I wanted to share what I can remember. After years of struggling with difficult teachers and administration, Jefferson was a hail mary for my development, and my teachers and administrators' drive to watch me succeed was astounding. When I was able to read more effectively than my peers, my teachers went out of their way to find higher level content for me to read to continue developing. When I was clearly gifted in mathematics, my teachers explained and offered to me a program to get the first two years of junior high algebra out of the way in sixth grade, and helped me build friendships with the other kids in this math program which have lasted to this very day.Jefferson is an exceptionally diverse and multicultural school, but it has the unfortunate circumstance of serving some of the poorest families in the city of Boise. As a result, Jefferson has received a fraction of the attention and funding that its wealthier counterpart schools normally would, and the struggle to keep up with the demands of students who are already heavily disadvantaged is visible in the actions and behavior of every one of the staff that works there. Even as a student, I got the impression that these teachers were deeply saddened with how little they could do for these students given their circumstances, and looking back I have no doubts in my mind that the staff at Jefferson Elementary had anything but unrelenting compassion in their hearts for the students.No institution or organization has come close to having the positive formative impact on me and my character that Jefferson had, I doubt any ever will. Thank you.
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2020

This is a great school I would take my kid here again.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2018

Absolutely horrible and promotes bullying does not inform parents
Submitted by other on March 10, 2016

Jefferson elementary has a caring staff who love these kids. The diversity is awesome and my kids benefit everyday from knowing others with many different backgrounds and cultural experiences. I have two very high achieving students and their needs are met with small classroom sizes and personal attention. Because this school serves children who speak many different languages they score lower on state standardized assessments and I think many parents are scared when they see the great schools score. I would encourage parents to visit the school, talk with parents and get to know the staff. Jefferson is a great school!
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2016

My children have been attending Jefferson for over five years now. There is a lot of diversity at this school and I think that scares some parents away. I love it. We have many friends who are from other countries like Africa, Mexico, Iran and Laos and they are some of the most humble and polite children I've ever met! The test scores are lower because many of the students are learning English and may not understand all the questions yet. They also have the deaf and hard of hearing program and my children have learned a lot of sign language from watching the interpreters! Because the school is title 1 there are many extra support staff which I love because my children have always had extra hands in class. Even if your child isn't struggling but shows above grade level work in reading or math they are put into a special group. This has helped my children advance quickly and succeed through Junior High and High School in advanced placement classes. If you are a parent who is concerned about your child's education become involved! They have an amazing PTA that holds community carnivals, events and small fundraisers through the year. They even make a yearbook for the graduating 6th graders. They welcome volunteers and I have gone weekly to help students with reading, math or art. I think you get back what you put into your school. They have many assemblies that are fun and educational, the STEM science bus visits, Wagons Ho comes every other year for the 4th and 5th grades, the orchestra program is excellent, the choir is engaging and they put on awesome programs, the sports are fun for everyone (they have basketball and track for 5th and 6th graders). Jefferson is a thriving elementary school in our area and I am so thankful for the amazing staff and teachers who care about the students success. If more parents would give Jefferson a chance the school would only get stronger.
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2015

My son has been attending Jefferson since he entered kindergarten. He has enjoyed most of his classes and teachers. He loves greeting all the different staff members, most of whom he knows and is known by. He has had problems with bullying, past and present. The teachers, principal, and other staff have been very helpful in fixing that. Especially the principal and his teachers. The principal is amazing and incredibly kind. She tries to make time for any parent or guardian that comes in with questions and concerns. She cares about the students that the school. Most of the teachers are fantastic, and I say most since I haven't meet all of them yet. They want their students to succeed at school. They are a little overwhelmed in some of the classes, one of the joys of being a Title 1 school, but they do their best for their students. While the school is not perfect, and no school ever is, the faculty does their best with what they have to see to the success and happiness of the students.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2015

My son has attended Jefferson since kindergarten. He is now in 5th grade. Ever since the new principal took over three years ago my son has been subjected to bullying and nothing ever happens. His P.E teacher has even seen it happen and told him to "walk it off". What a joke this school is. Don't send your children here!
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2012

My daughter is in Kindergarten at Jefferson. The teacher is overwhelmed. She doesnt adjust her teaching to meet individual needs. My daughter is bored because the teacher is going at the pace of some of the slower children. Parent concerns are ignored.
Submitted by parent on July 10, 2012

I have both of my children attendnig Jefferson, The have great caring teachers and they enjoy their friends, They both are learning great things and the teachers are helping them extend their knowldge in math and reading.