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Boise School District

Educating Today for a Better Tomorrow!

Strategic Plan 2026-2027

Boise School District Strategic Plan 2026–2027

Boise School District's Strategic Plan is more than a roadmap for our schools – it is an investment in the future of our entire community. Guided by our mission of Educating Today for a Better Tomorrow, this Strategic Plan establishes a shared vision for student success and outlines the priorities, strategies, and actions that will guide our work in the years ahead.

Building a Stronger Boise Through Student Success

Our Commitment

Boise School District's Strategic Plan is more than a roadmap for our schools – it is an investment in the future of our entire community.

The success of our students is closely connected to the quality of life we enjoy as a community. Strong schools help attract families and businesses, strengthen neighborhoods, support economic growth, develop future leaders, and prepare the next generation of engaged citizens. When students succeed, our community succeeds.

At the heart of this work is our commitment to ensuring every student graduates prepared for college, career, and citizenship. Guided by our mission of Educating Today for a Better Tomorrow, this Strategic Plan establishes a shared vision for student success and outlines the priorities, strategies, and actions that will guide our work in the years ahead.

Developed through extensive input from students, parents, staff, administrators, and community members, the plan reflects a collective commitment to educational excellence and continuous improvement. It focuses on four key priorities: providing exceptional teaching and learning opportunities, attracting and retaining outstanding employees, maintaining safe and supportive learning environments, and strengthening communication and partnerships with families and the broader community.

The Strategic Plan also serves as an important framework for accountability and transparency. Through ongoing monitoring, regular progress reporting, and public updates, we will evaluate our progress, celebrate successes, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure resources remain focused on the areas that have the greatest impact on student achievement and well-being.

Through this work, we will continue to provide exceptional learning opportunities, recruit and retain outstanding staff, maintain safe and supportive learning environments, and strengthen partnerships with families, businesses, and community organizations.

Together, we are building a stronger Boise – one student at a time.

Diagram illustrating the Collaborative Strategic Planning Cycle as an infinity loop with six stages.

Quality Teaching & Learning

Preparing every student for college, career, citizenship, and life.

Hiring & Retaining the Best Staff

Supporting the educators and staff who make student success possible.

School Environment & Safety

Creating safe, welcoming, and supportive schools where students can thrive.

Community Relations & Communications

Building trust through clear communication, family engagement, and strong community partnerships.

Strategic Priorities: Focused on What Matters Most

Every student deserves access to exceptional learning opportunities that prepare them for success in college, careers, and life. Boise School District’s Strategic Plan focuses on the areas that matter most to students, families, staff, and the Boise community. These four priorities help guide our efforts to strengthen learning, support our employees, keep schools safe and welcoming, and build meaningful partnerships with those we serve.

  • Every student deserves access to exceptional learning opportunities that prepare them for success in college, careers, and life.A young student smiles brightly while holding up a book in a classroom.

    Our Focus

    • Ensuring all students receive a high-quality, aligned Pre-K–12 educational experience.
    • Helping students develop strong literacy skills, with a districtwide focus on reading proficiency by the end of third grade.
    • Improving student achievement in mathematics through evidence-based instruction and targeted support.
    • Expanding opportunities in Advanced Placement (AP), Concurrent Credit, Career Technical Education (CTE), STEM, world languages, performing arts, and other advanced learning pathways.
    • Increasing access to AVID programs that support college and career readiness.
    • Expanding work-based learning opportunities, including internships, apprenticeships, and industry certifications.
    • Supporting multilingual learners and increasing opportunities to earn the Seal of Biliteracy.
    • Ensuring all students have equitable access to programs and opportunities that support success.

    Examples of Progress

    • Boise Schools continued implementing a districtwide focus on early literacy, with K–3 reading data showing growth in the percentage of students performing at Tier 1 and reductions in the percentage of students requiring intensive intervention.
    • The District established new literacy performance measures and baselines using Idaho’s new AMIRA reading assessment to help monitor student progress and strengthen instruction.
    • Participation in Career Technical Education (CTE) programs increased among several student groups, helping expand access to career-focused learning opportunities.
    • Professional development opportunities for teachers and principals received strong feedback, with participants reporting high levels of satisfaction and increased confidence in applying instructional strategies in the classroom.

    Spotlight: Graduate Profile

    A major focus of the Strategic Plan is the development of a Boise School District Graduate Profile.

    Created with input from students, families, staff, businesses, and community members, the Graduate Profile will define the knowledge, skills, character traits, and competencies every Boise Schools graduate should possess. It will serve as a guiding framework for teaching and learning and help ensure students are prepared for college, career, citizenship, and lifelong success.

    Preparing Students for the Future

    As technology continues to evolve, students must be prepared to navigate a rapidly changing world. The District will support responsible and ethical use of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), while helping students develop the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the future workforce and society.

    Why This Matters

    Strong academic foundations, meaningful learning experiences, and clear pathways to future opportunities help students discover their interests, develop their talents, and achieve their goals.

  • Great schools depend on great people.A teacher attentively listens to a young student at a desk in a classroom.

    The Boise School District is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining talented employees who are dedicated to helping students succeed.

    Our Focus

    • Recruiting highly qualified teachers, support staff, and administrators.
    • Strengthening hiring, onboarding, and mentoring programs.
    • Building partnerships with universities and educator preparation programs.
    • Supporting professional growth and leadership development.
    • Providing employees with the training, tools, and resources needed to excel.
    • Promoting a positive workplace culture built on collaboration, support, and continuous improvement.
    • Ensuring all employees receive ongoing training related to safety, student well-being, and professional responsibilities.

    Examples of Progress

    • Staff retention rates for special education teachers and support personnel increased during the 2025–2026 school year, reflecting ongoing efforts to recruit, support, and retain high-quality employees.
    • The District continued investing in professional learning, leadership development, mentoring, and employee support programs designed to strengthen staff effectiveness and long-term retention.
    • Planning for expanded recruitment partnerships and “grow-your-own” educator pipelines will help address future workforce needs.

    Why This Matters

    Students benefit when they are supported by talented, caring, and highly skilled educators and staff members who are committed to excellence.

  • Students learn best when they feel safe, supported, respected, and connected.Young students enthusiastically raise their hands in a classroom setting.

    The Boise School District is committed to maintaining learning environments that promote safety, well-being, belonging, and positive relationships.

    Our Focus

    • Maintaining safe, secure, and welcoming schools for students, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
    • Strengthening emergency preparedness and school safety practices.
    • Expanding mental health supports and social-emotional learning opportunities.
    • Supporting suicide prevention efforts and integrated systems of student support.
    • Continuing partnerships with local, state, and federal safety agencies.
    • Improving safety and security infrastructure, including access controls, security cameras, and facility improvements.
    • Completing the District's Long-Range Facilities Master Plan.
    • Improving accessibility and maintaining clean, modern, and well-maintained schools.
    • Supporting student engagement through activities, athletics, and extracurricular opportunities.
    • Advancing sustainability efforts focused on energy conservation, water stewardship, waste reduction, and environmental education.

    Examples of Progress

    • Student survey results showed an increase in the percentage of students reporting they feel safe at school, rising from 73.9% to 76.9%.
    • Staff survey results also improved, with 88.1% of employees reporting they feel safe at work, up from 86.8% the previous year.
    • The District continued investments in safety systems, mental health supports, emergency preparedness, and facility improvements to create safe, welcoming learning environments.
    • Work continued on long-range facilities planning to help ensure schools remain safe, functional, and prepared to meet future needs.

    Why This Matters

    Safe, supportive, and well-maintained schools provide the foundation students need to learn, grow, and thrive while protecting the community's investment in public education.

  • Student success is a shared responsibility.A young girl with dark hair focuses intently on her drawing at a wooden table.

    Strong schools are built through strong relationships among students, families, educators, businesses, community organizations, and taxpayers.

    Our Focus

    • Communicating clearly, consistently, and transparently with families and community members.
    • Sharing information about district priorities, initiatives, and student opportunities.
    • Providing meaningful opportunities for community voice, feedback, and engagement.
    • Expanding awareness of district programs and services.
    • Strengthening partnerships with local businesses, organizations, and community leaders.
    • Promoting public understanding of student achievement and district performance.
    • Utilizing modern communication tools and platforms to keep stakeholders informed and connected.

    Examples of Progress

    • Parent and guardian surveys showed strong levels of satisfaction with district communication, with more than 83% reporting they felt informed about important school and district issues.
    • In a districtwide communications survey, 84% of respondents reported that the District explains important decisions and changes either extremely well, well, or adequately.
    • Nearly 85% of surveyed parents reported that the District provides enough opportunities for engagement, feedback, and participation.
    • The District launched new communication tools and platforms while continuing to focus on transparency, family engagement, and sharing evidence of student learning.

    Why This Matters

    Strong partnerships and open communication build trust, strengthen schools, and help ensure that decisions reflect the needs and priorities of the Boise community.

Bar chart showing "K-2 (All) Performance Scores 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 Comparisons" by grade level.

Accountability and Transparency

The Boise School District is committed to ensuring this Strategic Plan remains a living document that drives meaningful action and measurable results.

To monitor progress and maintain accountability, the District will:

  • Review progress throughout the year using key performance indicators and supporting evidence.
  • Provide regular updates to the Board of Trustees.
  • Gather ongoing feedback from students, families, staff, and community members.
  • Publish annual performance reports summarizing progress toward strategic goals.
  • Use data to guide decision-making and continuous improvement.
  • Make strategic planning information and progress reports available to the public.

This commitment to transparency helps build trust and ensures the District remains focused on improving outcomes for all students.

 

Note: The Spring 2026 data reflects preliminary data prior to the finalized state-reported proficiency data which will be adjusted based on continuous enrollment.

Bar charts showing Fall-Spring K-3 Tier Movement or % with a green upward arrow.

 

Pie chart showing student responses to school safety, with 76.9% strongly agreeing or agreeing.

 

Table showing AP participation data for Female and Male groups across different years.

Table showing CTE participation data for Female and Male groups.

 

Looking Ahead

Boise Schools has a proud tradition of excellence, innovation, and community support.

This Strategic Plan reflects our commitment to continuous improvement and our belief that every student deserves access to exceptional educational opportunities, caring educators, safe learning environments, and a pathway to a successful future.

By working together, we can continue building schools that prepare students not only for graduation, but for meaningful lives as learners, leaders, employees, and citizens.

Together, we are educating today for a better tomorrow.

Explore the Full Strategic Plan

This Strategic Plan summary highlights the major priorities that will guide the Boise School District's work during the 2026–2027 school year.

We are committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. To learn more about our work, explore the resources below.

Strategic Plan Resources

Explore key Strategic Plan resources, including the District’s annual performance report and the full 2026–2027 Strategic Plan. These documents highlight progress toward strategic goals, key performance indicators, student achievement, staff retention, school safety, family engagement, and the strategies, action items, accountability measures, and performance indicators that will guide the District’s work in the years ahead.