South Junior High School

3101 Cassia Street

School District

Boise Independent District
Grade

7-9
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
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 student on August 21, 2023

This school is full of bad people that don't know how to be respectful and include a lot of drugs. I constantly get bullied for the most random stuff and other students get involved in fights. The new vice principal is extremely strict. (They suspend you for running in the halls to get to your class on time.) The teaching is okay but is hard for someone with mental issues. Other peers tend to make fun of each other for being different. Especially if you are in a special needs class. This school needs to straighten out their community. Was a living hell and felt like eternity after just one day.
Submitted by student on October 20, 2022

There are too many drugs and bullying and bad things.
Submitted by parent on July 22, 2022

Really good school lot of good people there
Submitted by other on May 15, 2022

It's rowdy and used to be know as one of the roughest middle schools but outside of one or two miscreants taking a street sign or ding-dong ditching it's great. The field and basketball courts are open for all, along with the Tennis courts that probably get more use from the neighbors than the school. All in all it's a very open school and nice school. Ironically the worst place to go would probably be behind the Church across the street but it's usually only skating kids.
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2019

Great people, be it students or staff. Vegan cheese.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2016

My son through elementary school was an A+ student in math. In 7th grade he was suddenly falling behind. Averaging a D-. Arranged a meeting with the teacher and asked for study guides (books, sheets, powerpoint, etc). but was told she does not provide that type of material, and that my best option was to search online. Terrible way of thinking... I question the principle's logic in allowing this type of culture
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2016

Wonderful first year experience with South Junior High. My daughter loves going to school. The uniforms are not an issue with us. Makes it easy to get ready for the day. Very impressed with the teachers and staff in how welcoming and encouraging they are towards new 7th graders.
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2014

This school has a stupid uniform policy. Drug use is rampant. The teachers have a watered-down curriculum that caters to getting the most passed. Disappointing. My son's final exam in science was to write a letter to to new students the following year. No scientific content at all. Just a this what to expect from the course.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2014

I have been very disappointed with South since the day my child started. First with the unnecessary uniform policy. They are tacky and do not promote anything other than teaching our children to be sheep. Oh wait, all the purple, green and orange haired kids aren't sheep. So what are they trying to do with their uniform policy? Make everyone look like Larry Gebhert? There is a dress code available in Boise School District that they seem to be too lazy to enforce. Their lack of commitment to providing services to children who are at the upper end of the learning scale is reprehensible. If you aren't failing or causing trouble and if your grades are are passing then nope, you get nothing, no enrichment, just boring memorization. Doesn't matter if you were in a full time GATE program, all that has gone to waste. There is no high bar for achievers. There are no in depth research projects, there is just pass this automated test. I wish my child didn't have to go there. I tried to enroll them at other schools but was unable to do so as they were all full or cost prohibitive. If you are looking for a good school, South is not it.
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2014

I was so impressed with the enthusiasm of my child's teachers and how much they enjoyed their jobs and their students
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2014

I have two honors students that have gone through South (my youngest is now in 9th grade). They have both had an education that has prepared them to have test scores in the 95+% and strong grades. The environment has been safe and friendly. Staff is wonderful, principal is great. The school is knocked for being more "rough" but we've liked the diversity. There are opportunities to shine and I don't feel my kids have been held back. My oldest is now at Borah and has just as many AP classes to choose from as at Boise high but she has smaller class sizes which I appreciate. I loved having uniforms at South and wish that we still had this at Borah. The music and sports opportunities at South are strong. Overall, I have been really happy with South and wish the school didn't have such a bad rap. If more bench area families enrolled their kids at South instead of putting them in charter schools or open enrolling to other junior high schools, I think the overall test scores would be higher.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2014

South is a great junior high. I love the new building and school uniforms. Teachers are involved and helpful. Great librarian and band teacher! Lots of technology--beautiful auditorium. Great principal.