U.S. Secretary of Education Visits Whitney Elementary School & Community School Program

On Tuesday, November 28, 2023 U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona visited Whitney Elementary School and Frank Church High School as part of a visit to announce a $6.5 million annual grant to expand community school programs in Idaho and speak to parents about social media and mental health.

Boise School District is a Community Schools leader in Idaho having started the state's first Community Schools to support the needs of students and families. There are currently seven Community Schools in the Boise District - Frank Church High School, Garfield Elementary, Koelsch Elementary, Morley Nelson Elementary, Taft Elementary, Whitney Elementary, and Whittier Elementary.

Community Schools foster partnerships by focusing on shared resources that enhance pathways to learning in a welcoming culture of high expectations for students.

'We picked this program because it's exceptional'

Secretary Cardona toured Whitney Elementary and its Community Schools program, visiting with students in a dual language (English & Spanish) program classroom and a math classroom. He then held a roundtable discussion with state and local education leaders and community partners about the importance of expanding the use of Community Schools in rural Idaho. He described Whitney's Community School program as a model program. "We picked this program because it's exceptional," said Secretary Cardona. "The program they have here is a model program."

Secretary Cardona also used his Boise visit to announce that Idaho is one of 19 states, along with Washington, D.C. that will receive Full-Service Community School grants to expand the use of the community school model. Also during his visit, Secretary Cardona held a parent forum at Frank Church High School where he engaged parents in a conversation about mental health. About twelve parents met with Cardona, discussing issues such as school safety, parent-teacher relationships, the effects of social media and smartphones on students and student burnout before attending college, among other topics.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona holds a roundtable discussion about the value of Community Schools with education leaders and community partners. (Pictured L to R: Becca Anderson, student, Frank Church High School; Dr. Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Education; Debbie Critchfield, Idaho State Superintendent of Public Instruction; Coby Dennis, Superintendent, Boise School District; Tim Jackson, CEO & President, United Way of Treasure Valley; and Roger Sherman, Executive Director, Idaho Children's Trust Fund.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona meets with parents from the Boise School District about mental health.

Did You Know?

Boise School District Employs Mental Health Professionals

From counselors to social workers to school psychologists, our schools employ highly-trained mental health professionals. Below, school psychologists Jacque Felt and Cathi Elliott offer tips on coping with stress. For more information on immediate support available to our students and families, please review our Resources for Support online brochure.

Boise School District School Psychologists Jacque Felt and Cathi Elliott provide tips on coping with stress or feeling overwhelmed.

Update: AP Honor Roll Recognizes Four District High Schools

The College Board has updated its recent announcement regarding the schools that have qualified for the prestigious AP School Honor Roll for the 2022-23 school year.

In addition to Boise, Borah and Timberline high schools that have earned this distinction, the College Board has now added Capital High School as a recipient, as well.

This recognition applauds schools that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to increasing access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses and bolstering students' journeys toward college success.



The AP School Honor Roll acknowledges the profound impact of AP programs, which empower students by providing them with college-level courses, accelerating their paths to graduation, and nurturing a culture of academic excellence. Research consistently shows that students who engage with AP coursework are more likely to enroll in college and complete their degrees on time.

Winter Weather Procedures

Education is important and every missed day of school represents lost learning opportunities. However, Boise School District’s primary concern is for the safety of all students, including students riding busses and walking or biking to school. If students cannot safely travel to school or if schools are not able to operate safely because of citywide dangerous weather conditions, school may be cancelled. Watch the following video to learn more about Boise School District's Inclement Weather Procedures.

Interested in Athletics?

Boise School District has always been highly regarded for academic achievements. At the same time, we have always been considered a leader throughout Idaho and the Pacific Northwest in the area of athletics. Many of our programs have become models for other districts. Below are the try-out dates and first days of practice for the 2023-2024 athletics program. Please contact your school for more information.

Kinship Workshop

Are you providing care for a child that is your relative? This could be a grandchild, sibling that is still a child, niece, or nephew. We would love for you to join us for an evening of connection and to learn more about resources for your family in our community. This workshop will be held at Monroe Elementary School, 3615 W. Cassia St., Boise, ID 83705, on December 14th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Dinner and childcare will be provided. Please register here or call Sara Nord at 208-559-3107. 

READY! for Kindergarten

Boise School District is hosting READY! for Kindergarten at our Madison Early Childhood Center, 2215 W. Madison Ave., Boise, ID 83702. This three part series helps parents/guardians of children ages 2-5 years old support their child's early education and prepare them for Kindergarten. At each workshop, families learn how to use educational materials and toys that they get to take home. Dinner and childcare will be provided. The dates for this workshop series are January 17th, February 21st , and March 13th. Click here to register. Please contact Sara Nord at sara.nord@boiseschools.org for more information or questions. 

Early Childhood Special Education - FREE Developmental Screener Available



Boise School District's Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program provides services to children 3-5 years old, who qualify for special education services. The program goals, curriculum and materials are developmentally appropriate and geared to the differing ability levels of each child. Children attending the ECSE classroom are provided a high quality program, and a safe and nurturing environment. This program promotes and integrates the cognitive, communication, physical, social, emotional, and self-help areas of development through classroom activities.

Boise School District offers a Free Developmental Screener for children ages 3-5 years old with developmental concerns.

BSD Developmental Screening Information 2023-2024 Spanish Language Version

Student Device Monitoring 

A reminder to parents that Boise School District provides parents/guardians with the ability to monitor your student’s activity on their District-assigned digital device via the GoGuardian Parent App: 

• GoGuardian Parent App - Welcome letter
• GoGuardian Parent App Instructions  

• December 11: Boise School Board Meeting. When available, Board meeting agenda will be posted online.
• December 19, 20, 21: Secondary End of Semester Testing - Early Release 7-12
• December 20: Early Release K-6, No School Pre K
• December 21: End of First Semester - Early Release K-6, No School Pre K
• December 22 - January 5: Winter Break - No School Pre K-12
• January 7: Fall Community Education Online Registration Opens
• January 8: School Resumes
• January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School Pre K-12

Boise School District | 208-854-4000 | 8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise, Idaho www.boiseschools.org

Boise School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to all individuals. Learn more...