Board Holds First Student Advisory Committee Meeting of the New School Year

Stakeholder engagement is a critical component in the ongoing success of the Boise School District. While parents, staff, businesses and community organizations routinely and productively engage directly with the Board of Trustees of the Boise School District and District Administration, student engagement is heavily focused at the individual school level or through aggregated sources such as surveys, focus groups and the many student organizations that we offer. In addition, the goal of the Boise School District's Student Advisory Committee is to increase student engagement with the Board of Trustees and District Administration. 

Recently, the Student Advisory Committee met for the first meeting of the 2023-2024 school year. The committee consists of 15 students representing the District's five high schools - Boise, Borah, Capital, Frank Church and Timberline, as well as three Board members, and several District administration representatives. A total of six meetings are scheduled for this school year.

Topics discussed on the first meeting held on September 19, 2023 (see accompanying photos) included team building exercises, presentation of Standards of Practice for Student Engagement, a presentation on raising awareness about Grooming Behaviors and Reporting Procedures, and evaluation of a recent news media article about the Student Advisory Committee. The agenda, which will be continued throughout this school year as the committee continues to meet, includes the following topics of interest generated by members of the Student Advisory Committee: Academics, Peer Mentoring, Student Well-Being, Adulthood Class Offerings, i.e. finance/trade, Sustainability/Environmental Matters, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Facilities.

Board members in attendance at the meeting spoke about the District's and Board's commitment to providing the students with regular collaboration with representatives from the Board of Trustees, District Administration, and students from other schools, as part of their participation in the Boise School District's Student Advisory Committee.

National Merit Semifinalists Announced

Officials from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) have announced the names of Idaho students selected as Semifinalists in the 69th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. A total of 34 students from the Boise School District (the most of any Idaho school district) have been selected as Semifinalists, which represents 34% of Idaho's total number of 2024 National Merit Semifinalists (100). That's an impressive showing considering Boise School District enrolls approximately 7% of Idaho's public school students.

“Congratulations to the students who have earned recognition as a National Semifinalist and honored for their academic ability. This is a tremendous accomplishment and a testament to their hard work and dedication. And, thank you to the teachers and families who have supported them,” said Boise School District Superintendent Coby Dennis.

Student Receives Perfect Score on AP Research Study

Boise High School Senior Kelly Goulet (pictured) is one of only 357 students from around the world to receive a perfect score on the AP Research Exam. Kelly received a top score of five on this challenging, college-level examination. Kelly took the exam in May of 2023 and her perfect score amounts to just 1.26% of the 2023 AP Research Exam takers world-wide. "We applaud your mastery of the content and skills of this AP course and wish you many future successes," wrote Trevor Packer, Head of the Advanced Placement Program. Kelly wrote a Research Study entitled Humor Patterns in the History of the Sitcom. Kelly's study accounts for 75% of the final score and is evaluated by two different AP graders. The other 25% of her final score is from her 20 minute presentation and oral defense completed after she wrote her study. To earn a perfect score, Kellly's written study must have been scored by a five by two or more AP graders and she had to earn a five on her presentation and oral defense.

Parent Permission Requested for Student Well-Being Survey

Attention Parents of Junior and Senior High School Students:



We are excited to announce that our junior and senior high schools will participate again this year in Communities for Youth’s Boise Student Wellness Survey. Thanks to our students, last year’s survey results provided our mental health professionals and school administrators with evidence about student mental health and well-being. 

What do we do with the results?

The results of the student wellbeing survey gave us valuable information, which identified areas of success as well as opportunities where we can focus. They also serve as an important measurement for our schools and our commitment to creating a responsive culture for learning. 

For example, last year’s survey data resulted in the District’s first mental health summit, where junior and senior high school principals were provided with their school-specific data and encouraged to develop resources and activities directly related to student wellbeing and school culture.

Survey Questions & Parental Permission

The success of this survey will rely on engagement and trust. This year, you will have to opt-in your junior or senior high school student to participate in this survey, rather than opt-out. Your approval is required for your student to take the survey.

• The survey, in its entirety, is available for parents to view. 
• Complete the opt-in form. Without your permission, your student will not be able to participate.
• Only students in grades 7 through 12 will take the survey.
• The survey will be administered during the school day, between October 23 - October 31, 2023. 
• The survey is expected to take less than one hour to administer.



Providing a welcoming, responsive culture where every child can learn is a goal we all share at Boise School District. Of course, if you have any additional questions, please reach out to your school principal.

Boise School Board Corner

Boise School Board Trustee Spotlight - Dave Wagers

Dave Wagers (pictured) currently serves as President of the Boise School Board. He was appointed to the Board in January 2015 and was elected President of the Board in September 2020. He has chaired the Strategic Planning, Facilities and Communications committees. Dave attended Cole Elementary, Fairmont Junior High and graduated from Capital High School, later graduating from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance. He earned a Certified Management Accountant designation in 1991. Dave has been president of Idaho Candy Company since 1998 and has been active in the community for many years serving on numerous community, non-profit and education boards. Dave's mom, Mary Wagers, taught English and Reading at Fairmont Junior High School for 15 years.

Dave and his wife Jill (a Borah High graduate) have four children, three of whom graduated from Boise High School and one that graduated from Frank Church High School. 

Listen to President Wagers speak to District staff members at the following annual Opening Day Celebration Meeting held on August 14, 2023.

Boise School Board President Dave Wagers speaks to District staff members at the Boise Schools Opening Day Celebration Meeting held on August 14, 2023.

Are you looking to expand your knowledge and skills? Look no further than our Community Education Program! Our program offers a wide range of courses and workshops designed to meet the needs and interests of our community. From cooking classes to computer skills, we have something for everyone. Our experienced instructors are passionate about teaching and are committed to helping you achieve your goals. Enrolling is easy, simply visit our website. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn and grow with us. Enroll in our Community Education Program today!

Review our Fall 2023 Community Education course catalog to learn more. 

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

When Mrs. Peppersack, a teacher at Monroe Elementary, asked her Kindergarteners how they felt on their very first day of school they replied with things like "Nervous, scared, and worried." After just a few months in, their answers quickly changed to things like "Excited, happy, and fun."

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  

• October 9: Boise School Board regular monthly meeting, 6 p.m., District Services Center, 8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise. When available, meeting agenda will be posted online.
• October 9-13: National School Lunch Week Celebration.
• October 13: End of First Quarter - Elementary Pre K-6 No School
• October 18: No School Pre K
• October 19: No Pre K-6 Elementary Classes - Parent Conferences
• Elementary evening conferences will be held Wednesday, October 18 and Thursday, October 19 until 7:30 p.m.
• Junior High evening conferences will be held Tuesday, October 17 and Wednesday October 18, 4-7 p.m.
• High School evening conferences will be held Wednesday, October 18 and Thursday, October 19, 4-7 p.m.
• October 20: No School Pre K-12
• November 20-24: Autumn Break - 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...