Boise School District News
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The Boise School District Board of Trustees has named Wendy Johnson, current Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, as the Districtâs next Superintendent. Johnson has accepted the position and will begin serving on July 1, 2026.
The Board interviewed Johnson during an executive-session special meeting on January 29, 2026, following the retirement announcement of Superintendent Lisa Roberts, who will continue to serve through June 30, 2026.
âI am deeply grateful to the Board of Trustees for their trust and confidence,â Johnson said. âWe have a strong team in place, and together we have an opportunity to build on whatâs working, strengthen our neighborhood schools, and ensure every student is prepared not just for graduation, but for life. When we invest in our educators and partner with families and the community, public schools can continue to be a powerful force for opportunity and quality of life in Boise.â
Johnson brings more than 30 years of experience in public education, including 11 years as Superintendent of the Kuna School District. She has served Idaho students since 1994 as a teacher and administrator.
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Kindergarten registration is right around the cornerâand we canât wait to meet our newest Boise students.
This spring, Boise School District is excited to welcome families to a fun, friendly, and interactive Kindergarten Registration Night at all Boise elementary schools. This special event is the first step in your childâs educational journeyâand a great way to get connected to your neighborhood school community.
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Thursday, March 5, 2026
đ 3:45â5:30 p.m. (regular start schools)
đ 4:00â5:45 p.m. (late start schools*)
*Late start schools: Lowell, Whittier, Amity, Hawthorne, Hillcrest, Morley Nelson, Shadow Hills, Riverside, and Dallas Harris
Families are encouraged to attend registration at their childâs boundary school. Not sure which school that is? The boundary locator on the Boise Schools website makes it easy to find. If youâre planning to apply for open enrollment at a different school, youâll still need to attend kindergarten registration at your boundary school.
What to bring
Please plan to bring:
- Your child who will enter kindergarten in the 2026â2027 school year
- Your childâs birth certificate
- Immunization records
- Proof of residency (a power bill is recommended)
Save timeâregister online
To make registration night quick and easy, families are encouraged to use the online registration system, which opens February 1, 2026. Prefer paper forms? You may complete enrollment paperwork in advance and bring it with you on March 5.
Kindergarten Registration Night is more than paperworkâitâs a chance to meet teachers, explore classrooms, ask questions, and see firsthand how Boise schools support students from day one. We look forward to welcoming the Class of 2039 and partnering with families to build a strong foundation for a bright future. đ
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We are proud to share that several Boise School District high school students have been selected to participate in the Leadership Boise Academy, a prestigious youth leadership program offered by the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Leadership Boise Academy is a semester-long program designed to help high school juniors better understand the Boise community while building leadership, communication, and civic-engagement skills. Students take part in hands-on learning experiences focused on topics such as business, government, education, healthcare, and innovation, while connecting with local leaders and peers from across the region.
Programs like Leadership Boise Academy matter because they help prepare the next generation of community leadersâstudents who will live, work, and contribute to Boiseâs quality of life for years to come.
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Boise School District is proud to celebrate an outstanding musical achievement by two of its students. Albert Hsu, an 8th grader at East Junior High School, and Alex Rao, a 10th grader at Timberline High School, have been named Winners of the Northwest Division Senior Piano Duet Competition by the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).
Their victory follows a highly competitive, three-tiered process. Albert and Alex first earned state champion honors in October, advanced through division-level video submissions in December, and ultimately emerged as Northwest Division winners. The Northwest Division includes top student musicians from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.
As part of their award-winning program, Albert and Alex performed âBallet from OrphĂŠe et Eurydiceâ by Christoph Willibald Gluck (arr. Greg Anderson)âa piece that highlights their musical precision, balance, and expressive collaboration as a piano duo.
With this accomplishment, Albert and Alex are now National Finalists and will represent the Northwest Division at the MTNA National Conference in Chicago this March.
Boise School District congratulates Albert and Alex on their dedication, talent, and musical excellence, and wishes them the very best as they prepare to perform on the national stage.
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đš Watch their performance in the following video:
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Taft Elementary recently brought students, families, and staff together to celebrate an exciting milestone in early literacy. From August to December, 98% of Taft students showed growth in reading on their AIMSweb fluency measuresâa powerful indicator of whatâs possible when schools and communities work together to support learning.
The celebration included a Reading Growth Assembly, a special parent breakfast recognizing students with the highest growth, and the kickoff of a free Scholastic Book Fair for all students, made possible through Scripps Howardâs Give a Child a Book campaign. Each part of the day highlighted the shared role families, educators, and community partners play in helping students succeed.
This achievement reflects the Boise School Districtâs Strategic Plan and its focus on student achievement, equity, and strong partnerships. By prioritizing early literacy, supporting teachers with high-quality instruction, and engaging families as partners in learning, Taft is building a strong foundation for lifelong success.
đ Congratulations to Taftâs studentsâand thank you to the educators, families, and community partners who made this celebration possible. Way to go, Taft Tigers! đŻđ
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Hidden Springs Elementary School recently celebrated an exciting milestone â the 100th day of the school year â with creative costumes and smiles all around! In Miss Smithâs classroom, students marked the occasion in a unique way by dressing up as if they were 100 years old, complete with grey hair, glasses, canes, and plenty of imagination.
The 100th day of school is a beloved tradition in many elementary classrooms, and Hidden Springs students embraced it with enthusiasm. The dress-up day gave children a chance to reflect on how much theyâve learned so far this year while enjoying a playful look at what being â100â might be like.
This celebratory spirit wasnât limited to Hidden Springs â other elementary schools across the Boise School District also marked the 100th day with similar festivities, from themed dress-up to classroom activities geared toward celebrating learning milestones.
The 100th day of school traditions like these help build school community, encourage creativity, and make learning fun for our youngest students.
You can watch the full KTVB-TV news report about Hidden Springs Elementaryâs 100th-day celebration here:
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Smithâs journey from high school multi-sport star to Olympic athlete has been remarkable, and sheâll join Team USAâs cross-country skiing squad as one of its rising talents.
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Students from Boise High School are showing whatâs possible when creativity, education, and opportunity come together.
Senior Magdalene Schernthanner earned 1st place and $600 in the 15th Annual CapEd Movie Trailer Contest for her film Dice. Impressively, this marks her second consecutive year taking the top honor, after also winning the contest in 2024.
Boise High juniors Claudia Burton and Raea Reak placed 3rd, earning $400 for their film Feelinâ Blue. Four additional Boise High studentsâMaliah Clawson, Cat Demer, Gwyneth Schroder, and Rosen Meyerâfinished in the Top 10, each receiving $100.
Altogether, seven Boise High students were recognized by CapEd Credit Union for their creativity and storytelling.
These achievements matter beyond awards and prize money. They highlight how strong public schools and community partnerships help students develop real-world skillsâcommunication, collaboration, and creative problem-solvingâthat benefit our entire community. When Boise students succeed, Boise succeeds.
To learn more about Magdaleneâs winning film and creative journey, community members can watch the video below and her interview on KTVB.
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Recently, students at Hidden Springs Elementary, Washington Elementary, and Shadow Hills Elementary welcomed a special guestâaward-winning childrenâs author Anna Jamesâfor an inspiring visit on January 15.
Anna shared her journey as a writer, offered a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, and talked about her books, which celebrate curiosity, kindness, and adventure. Students asked thoughtful questions and eagerly discussed stories, sparking excitement for reading and writing across all three schools.
Thank you, Anna James, for inspiring young storytellers and helping nurture a love of literacy in our schools! đâ¨
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Boise School District is proud to recognize Ian Smart, PE teacher and Head Football Coach at Timberline High School (pictured left); Matt Creech, Head Girls Basketball Coach at Capital High School; and Aaron Olswanger, Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach at Boise High School, as 2026 GameChanger Coach Award recipients from the Idaho Youth Sports Commission (IYSC).
The GameChanger Award honors coaches who go beyond the scoreboard to inspire students, lead with purpose, and model strong character and sportsmanship. Each honoree will receive a $250 grant to support their athletic program.
The coaches will be recognized at IYSCâs Jeans & Jerseys Dinner Auction on April 11, 2026, at the Boise Centre.
Boise School District congratulates these outstanding leaders for the positive impact they make on students and school communities every day.
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Matt Creech, Head Girls Basketball Coach
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Aaron Olswanger, Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach, Boise High School
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Mary Karol Taylor, a teacher-librarian at South Junior High School in Boise and founder of Nations United Soccer, will receive the Team of Allies Award at the inaugural Change Make*Hers Gala for her work championing inclusion and equity in youth sports.
Taylorâs nonprofit program uses soccer to support primarily refugee and immigrant youth, helping more than 100 young people build confidence, community, and athletic opportunity. Nearly 100 participants have earned spots on high school teams, 13 have gone on to play in college, and 25 former players now play together on an adult team in the Mountain West Region.
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At its January meeting, the Parent Advocacy Group explored our long-term work to implement Standards Based Reporting (SBR), an approach designed to provide clearer, more meaningful information about what students know and are able to do.
Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Wendy Johnson explained how SBR separates academic learning from behaviors such as effort and participation, giving families a more accurate picture of student progress toward specific learning goals. Rather than emphasizing points and averages, SBR focuses on feedback, growth, and mastery of clearly defined standards.
Borah High School Principal Tim Standlee shared Borahâs experience with standards-based reporting, highlighting improved student engagement, more accurate measurement of learning, and greater consistency across subjects and teachers.
Parents also reviewed our phased timeline, which reflects nearly a decade of preparation and professional learning. Elementary implementation is planned to begin in 2026â27, followed by grades 8â12 in 2027â28, with full districtwide implementation expected in 2028â29. Throughout the transition, the district will continue alignment, training, and calibration to ensure students are not negatively impacted.
The discussion emphasized the essential role families play in this work. Parents were invited to ask questions, share experiences, and offer feedback as the district continues to refine its approach.
Thank you to our Parent Advocacy Group members for their time, insight, and partnership in strengthening grading and reporting practices for all students!
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Student Advisory Committee Reviews Youth Survey Findings with the Board
During the January 29 board workshop, members of the Boise School District Student Advisory Committee were presented with key findings from the annual Community for Youth Survey and the Student Engagement Survey, offering a data-informed snapshot of student well-being and engagement across the district. The 2025 survey included responses from more than 6,200 middle and high school studentsârepresenting 53% of the eligible student populationâproviding valuable insight into student experiences.
Highlights shared with students and trustees included a continued decrease in reported depression among Boise youth, alongside strong indicators of connection and supportâsuch as 96% of students reporting that their school helps them achieve goals and discover what they are good at doing. The discussion reinforced the importance of student voice in understanding trends, identifying needs, and informing future district priorities.
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As we move through peak cold and flu seasonâand with confirmed measles cases in Canyon Countyâfamilies are reminded to keep students home when they are sick. Please check children each morning and keep them home if they have symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, a new cough, unusual fatigue, sore throat with fever, a new rash, or other symptoms that arenât typical.
There are no confirmed measles cases in Boise School District schools, but awareness is important. Measles is highly contagious, and vaccination remains the best protection.
Thank you for helping keep our schools healthy and safe.
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Families with children ages 2â5 are invited to attend the annual READY! for Kindergarten workshops at the Lincoln Early Learning Center.
READY! for Kindergarten is a free series of parent education workshops that shows how play-based activities help build the academic and social-emotional skills children need for kindergarten success. Parents learn simple, hands-on strategies they can easily use at home.
The three-part series includes:
- Language & Literacy â March 11, 2026
- Math & Reasoning â April 8, 2026
- Social & Emotional Development â May 6, 2026
Workshops are held at Lincoln Early Learning Center, 300 W. Fort St. Meals and child care are provided. Register online.
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The Boise School District, in partnership with the Ada County Victim Services Center, is hosting an in-person Stewards of ChildrenÂŽ training on February 12, 2026, from 3:30â6:00 p.m. This evidence-informed workshop provides adults with practical tools to help prevent, recognize, and respond to child sexual abuse.
Designed for anyone who interacts with children, the training includes guided discussion, expert insights, and real-world strategies participants can use immediately. BSD families are welcome to attend, and child care and dinner will be provided.
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Parents of incoming kindergarten students are invited to learn more about Boise School Districtâs Dual Language Immersion program at an upcoming information night. This session will offer an overview of the program, guided school tours, and a chance to hear directly from current dual language teachers and parents during a Q&A. Families will also learn how open enrollment impacts program registration and how the Dual Language pathway can lead to earning the Seal of Biliteracy.
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Boise School District is proud to continue its 55-year tradition of affordable, high-quality lifelong learning through Community Education.
Classes run January 20âMarch 5, 2026 and are offered at Riverglen Junior High, Timberline High, West Junior High, offsite locations, and online.
With hundreds of classesâfrom arts and cooking to fitness, languages, and technologyâthereâs something for everyone.
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Boise School District is pleased to announce graduation dates and locations for the Class of 2026. Families and community members are invited to join us in celebrating this important milestone as students from across the district prepare to walk the stage.
Frank Church High School
May 14 at 6:00 p.m.
Capital High School Auditorium
Boise Online School
May 15 at 5:00 p.m.
Borah High School Auditorium
Capital High School
May 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Extra Mile Arena
Timberline High School
May 19 at 7:00 p.m.
Extra Mile Arena
Boise High School
May 20 at 7:00 p.m.
Extra Mile Arena
Borah High School
May 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Extra Mile Arena
We look forward to celebrating our graduates and wish the Class of 2026 continued success as they take their next steps.
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Boise School District is excited to offer another great year of high school athletics! Below youâll find the official start dates for the 2025â2026 school yearâs sports seasons, including tryouts and the first day of practices.
We encourage all interested student-athletes to contact their schoolâs athletic office for details on specific tryout dates, times, and locations. Requirements such as physicals, eligibility paperwork, and registration deadlines may vary by sport and school.
This is another example of how the Boise School District offers a comprehensive public school education â one where all students can thrive, grow, and succeed both in the classroom and on the field. Whether youâre competing at the varsity level, joining a junior varsity squad, or supporting your team from the stands, athletics help build teamwork, resilience, and school pride.
We look forward to a safe, spirited, and successful season for all our student-athletes!
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Want to know more about how our schools work behind the scenes? Beyond the Bell is a new publication from the Boise School District that offers an inside look at the financial, operational, and policy decisions shaping public education in our community.
Each issue dives into key topics like budgeting, strategic planning, student safety, and our instructional approachâproviding timely insights for parents, employees, business leaders, elected officials, and anyone invested in the future of our schools.'
đď¸ Donât miss outâ
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Boise School District uses ParentSquare to keep families connected with district, school, and classroom updatesâall in one place. ParentSquare is now rolling out Smart Notification Delivery, an update designed to make staying informed even easier.
With this improvement, most posts will be delivered through the ParentSquare app first, with text messages used only as a backup. This helps reduce duplicate notifications while ensuring families donât miss important information.
What to know:
- đ˛ App-first delivery: Posts and updates will come through the app first, with texts sent only if needed
- âąď¸ No change for urgent messages: Direct Messages and alerts will still go to all selected methods
- đŠ Email continues: Email notifications remain unchanged
What you need to do:
- â
Nothingâif you use the app, youâre all set
- đą Havenât downloaded the app yet? Itâs the best way to manage and customize your school communications
Download the free ParentSquare app from the App Store
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Follow us for stories, celebrations, and updates from across the Boise School District!
Join the conversation and show your #BSDProud! đ
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- February 9: Regular monthly meeting of the Boise School Board, 6 p.m., District Services Center, 8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise. Open to the public. Agenda will be posted online.
- February 16: Presidents' Day - No School Pre K-12
- February 19: Dual Language Informational Night at Whitney and Whittier elementary schools, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (see article).
- March 5: Kindergarten Registration/Open House, 3:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- March 13: End of Third Quarter - Early Release K-6 to work on Report Cards, No School Pre K
- March 16-20: Spring Break - No School Pre K-12
- May 14: Last Day of School for Seniors, Early Childhood Special Education Programs and Pre K
- May 19: Pre K-12 No School; Teacher Directed Day/Professional Development
- May 22: Last Day of School - Early Release K-12
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