Welcome to a new school year in the Boise School District!
As we prepare to welcome students back to our classrooms on Wednesday, August 12, we are excited to begin another year of learning, growth, and opportunity together. Whether your family is returning to Boise Schools or joining us for the first time, we're glad you're here.
This school year also marks an exciting new chapter as Superintendent Wendy Johnson begins her first year leading the Boise School District. With more than 30 years of experience in public education and a deep commitment to student success, Superintendent Johnson is honored to serve our students, families, staff, and community.
We invite you to watch Superintendent Johnson's Back-to-School Welcome Message, where she shares her vision for the year ahead and her excitement for continuing Boise School District's long tradition of excellence.
Thank you for being part of the Boise School District family. We look forward to an outstanding 2026–2027 school year!
What Makes a Boise School District Education Exceptional?
Every new school year brings opportunities for students to learn, grow, discover new interests, and prepare for a bright future. At Boise School District, we're proud to provide an educational experience that helps every student succeed – both inside and outside the classroom.
From our youngest learners through graduation, students benefit from exceptional teachers, challenging academics, and learning experiences designed to help them think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, and develop the skills they'll need for college, careers, military service, and life.
Our students have access to opportunities that reflect their unique interests and goals, including Advanced Placement and dual-credit courses, Career Technical Education, AVID, gifted education, dual language immersion, STEM learning, music, visual and performing arts, athletics, leadership programs, and more than 200 extracurricular activities. Every elementary student receives music instruction, and students can explore specialized programs that help them discover their passions while preparing for the future.
Learning also extends beyond academics. Through Community Schools, Community Education, student well-being services, school counselors, and strong partnerships with families and community organizations, we're committed to supporting the whole child and creating safe, welcoming schools where every student feels they belong.
This year also marks another important step as our elementary schools continue implementing Standards-Based Reporting. This student-centered approach gives families clearer, more meaningful information about what students know, understand, and are ready to learn next, strengthening the partnership between home and school and keeping the focus where it belongs – on student learning and growth.
As the new school year begins, we're excited to partner with families to help every student reach their full potential. Together, we'll continue building on Boise School District's tradition of excellence while preparing students to lead, serve, and succeed in a rapidly changing world.
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Your One-Stop Back-to-School Resource
Getting ready for a new school year is easier than ever!
To help families prepare for the first day of school, we've created a 2026–2027 School Year Information webpage that brings together everything you need in one convenient location. Whether you're looking for school office opening dates, registration information, back-to-school events, calendars and bell schedules, school supply lists, transportation details, meal services, athletics and activities, or student well-being resources, you'll find it all in one place.
We encourage every Boise School District family to bookmark this page and check back throughout the summer, as additional information and updates will be added leading up to the first day of school.
We're looking forward to welcoming students back on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, and wish all of our students and families a successful and exciting school year!
Boise School District Launches Five-Year Apple Device Strategy
The Boise School District Board of Trustees has approved moving forward with planning for a five-year strategy to transition student and staff learning devices to Apple.
The strategy is designed to provide students with world-class learning tools, create a more consistent technology experience across our schools, strengthen instructional support for teachers, and build a sustainable long-term device program.
The transition will begin with a pilot during the 2026–2027 school year, allowing the district to gather feedback, refine training, and make adjustments before a broader rollout planned for the 2027–2028 school year.
The decision also reflects changing technology market conditions. The cost of PCs and Chromebooks has increased significantly in recent months, and the district expects the Apple strategy to save approximately $1 million over five years, based on current estimates. The plan also includes AppleCare coverage and ongoing support from Apple for professional learning, deployment planning, and technical coordination.
Students in grades K–2 will have access to iPads, while students in grades 3–12 will use MacBook Neo laptops to support learning, creativity, collaboration, and college and career readiness.
The district will continue sharing updates with families, staff, and the community as pilot schools are identified and implementation planning moves forward.
Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, all Idaho public schools are required by state law (Idaho Code 33-1639) to observe a brief moment of silence at or near the beginning of each school day.
The purpose of the law is to provide every student with an opportunity for silent, individual reflection. The moment of silence must last at least sixty (60) seconds. During this time, students are expected to remain silent and may choose to use the time for reflection, meditation, prayer, or another silent, non-disruptive activity of their choice.
Boise School District schools will implement this requirement in a neutral manner that respects each student's individual choice, consistent with state law. As provided in the legislation, parents and guardians are encouraged to provide guidance to their children on how they may choose to use this time each day.
The daily moment of silence will begin in all Boise School District schools on the first day of the 2026–2027 school year.
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Standards-Based Reporting Begins This School Year in Elementary Schools
Boise School District is thoughtfully phasing in Standards-Based Reporting (SBR) to ensure our teachers, schools, and systems are fully prepared for a successful transition.
Implementation Timeline
2026–2027 School Year: Standards-Based Reporting begins in all elementary schools (grades K–6).
2027–2028 School Year: Standards-Based Reporting expands to secondary schools not already implementing or piloting the model, completing districtwide implementation across grades 7–12.
Standards-Based Reporting provides families with clearer, more meaningful information about what students know, understand, and are able to do based on Idaho's academic standards. Rather than focusing on points or percentages alone, it communicates a student's progress toward mastering grade-level learning standards while reporting habits of work separately from academic achievement.
To help families learn more about this important transition, we encourage you to visit our Standards-Based Reporting webpage. There you'll find:
We encourage all families to explore these resources as we begin implementing Standards-Based Reporting in our elementary schools this year and prepare for expansion to our secondary schools in 2027–2028.
🌟 Follow the Stories That Make Boise Schools Special
From student achievements and classroom learning to district news, event highlights, and important reminders, our social media channels keep you connected to what's happening across the Boise School District.
Follow us for inspiring stories, photos and videos, school celebrations, important updates, and a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible students and staff who make our district exceptional.
Join our online community and celebrate the people and programs that make Boise School District a place where students thrive. #BSDProud đź’™
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IGNITE Summer School Class of 2026 Celebrates Graduation
Boise School District proudly celebrated the IGNITE Summer School Class of 2026 during a graduation ceremony held July 23, 2026.
Each graduate crossed the stage with a story of determination, perseverance and hard work. By staying focused and continuing to move forward, these students reached an important milestone—and we couldn’t be prouder.
IGNITE is about more than earning credits. It creates opportunities, meets students where they are and helps each student find a path toward success.
Congratulations to our graduates, and thank you to the families, teachers, staff and supporters who helped them reach this moment. Graduates, you did it – and your next chapter starts now!
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Creativity in Motion
Junior high summer school students recently showcased the stop-motion projects they created in Introduction to Animation. Guided by accomplished animator Lars C. Larsen, students gained hands-on experience in storytelling, teamwork and problem-solving while exploring potential creative career pathways. Congratulations to these talented young animators for bringing their ideas to life – one frame at a time!
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Boise Public Library Brings Summer Story Time to Students
Boise Public Library visited Boise School District grade schools this summer, bringing books, stories and a love of reading directly to students. At Grace Jordan Elementary, students enjoyed story time with library staff while building excitement around reading.
Thank you, Boise Public Library, for supporting literacy and making summer learning fun and meaningful for our students!
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Outdoor Learning Comes to Life
This summer, Boise School District elementary students partnered with the National Outdoor Learning Alliance (NOLA) to explore nature through engaging, hands-on activities. These outdoor experiences supported academic growth, curiosity, teamwork and student well-being – all while making learning fun.
Thank you, NOLA, for helping our students stay curious and continue growing this summer!
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Morley Nelson Students Celebrate Summer Success
Morley Nelson Elementary wrapped up its summer program with plenty to celebrate. An impressive 98% of students demonstrated academic growth!
Students also filled backpacks donated by CRAVE restaurant with books provided by our community—sending them into the rest of summer with new stories and a continued love of reading.
Thank you to CRAVE and our generous community for supporting every learner’s growth!
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Four Sports. One Unstoppable Athlete.
Congratulations to Capital High School’s McKenna Chavez, named the Idaho Press Girls Athlete of the Year! McKenna’s dedication, versatility and competitive spirit across four sports exemplify what it means to be a student-athlete.
Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, McKenna! Capital High School and the Boise School District are proud of you!
Boise School District Students Shine at FCCLA National Leadership Conference
Six Boise School District students represented their schools and the state of Idaho at the 2026 FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., July 5–10.
Their success highlights how Family and Consumer Sciences programs prepare students for college, careers and community leadership by building practical skills in communication, problem-solving and teamwork.
Boise School District students earned impressive national results:
Akshara Nataraj, Boise High School, earned a Gold medal and placed fourth nationally in Nutrition and Wellness (pictured below).
Ella Liese and Harper Lanningham, Capital High School, earned Silver medals in Focus on Children (pictured above L-R).
Aylah Johnson, Capital High School, earned a Silver medal in Career Investigation (pictured below)
Capital High School student Mazzy Kennedy was also selected as an FCCLA National Student Ambassador and received one of only 12 full ambassador scholarships awarded nationwide.
Accompanied by teachers Lisa Wood Miranda (Capital High School) and Marika Kirkman Riverglen Junior High School), these students represented Boise and Idaho with excellence while demonstrating the value of providing meaningful learning and leadership opportunities beyond the classroom.
Aylah Johnson, Capital High School, earned a Silver medal in Career Investigation.
Akshara Nataraj, Boise High School, earned a Gold medal and placed fourth nationally in Nutrition and Wellness.
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Celebrating Excellence in Career & Technical Education!
Congratulations to Jen Keavney, Boise School District’s Career and Technical Education Student Opportunities Coordinator, on receiving the Counseling & Career Development Award from the Career Technical Educators of Idaho (CTEI)!
In just two years in this districtwide role, Jen has made an incredible impact by expanding career-connected learning, building strong industry and community partnerships, and helping students discover meaningful pathways beyond high school.
Her leadership has helped:
🔹 Increase earned CTE Diplomas by 22%
🔹 Expand industry certification and concurrent credit opportunities
🔹 Increase access to CTE opportunities for students receiving special education services
🔹 Create hands-on career exploration opportunities for school counselors
🔹 Develop the Future Options Fair for Seniors, connecting students with 67 regional industry partners
Jen’s work is helping students connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities and build confidence in their futures.
Congratulations, Jen, on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for your dedication to Boise School District students!
The first day of school for Boise School District students is Wednesday, August 12, 2026, and with thousands of students walking, biking, riding buses, and being dropped off each day, we ask all motorists to help make safety a top priority.
Please be especially alert when traveling near schools. Watch for children using crosswalks, school crossing guards, buses loading and unloading students, and increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic during arrival and dismissal times.
In Boise, school zone speed limits are generally 20 mph when posted school zone conditions are in effect, such as flashing lights, posted school zone hours, or when children are present, depending on the signage at each location. Please pay close attention to school zone signs and always obey the posted speed limit.
A few extra seconds of caution can make all the difference. Thank you for slowing down, staying focused, and helping ensure every student arrives at school – and returns home – safely.
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Staying Safe During Periods of Poor Air Quality
Wildfire smoke can affect air quality throughout the summer and fall. When conditions decline, Boise School District schools monitor the Air Quality Index and adjust recess, physical education, athletics and other outdoor activities as needed to protect students and staff.
You're in Control of Your ParentSquare Notifications
We want to make it easy for you to receive the information you need—without feeling overwhelmed.
With the free ParentSquare app, you can customize how and when you receive school and district communications. ParentSquare's new Smart Notification Delivery also helps reduce duplicate notifications by sending most routine updates through the app first, while urgent alerts and direct messages continue to be delivered through your selected notification methods.
If you haven't already, download the free ParentSquare app from the App Store or Google Play, then review your notification settings to choose what works best for your family.
If you haven't already, download the free ParentSquare app from the App Store or Google Play.
2026 Boise School Board Trustee Election Information
The 2026 Boise School Board Trustee Election will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Three trustee positions will appear on the ballot, including two six-year terms and one four-year term.
Whether you're looking for election dates, candidate information, absentee voting details, polling locations, or other important election resources, our 2026 Trustee Election webpage is your one-stop source for the latest information.
📌 Aug. 17 – Early Voting Begins
📌 Aug. 21 – Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
📌 Aug. 28 – Early Voting Ends
📌 Sept. 1 – Election Day
📬 Absentee ballots are open!
Our Board of Trustees plays an important role in helping guide the future of our schools and supporting opportunities for every student. Take time to learn, make a plan to vote, and participate in this important community decision.
We encourage all eligible Boise School District voters to stay informed and participate in this important local election.
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 approach—providing timely insights for parents, employees, business leaders, elected officials, and anyone invested in the future of our schools.
Beyond the Bell – Latest Edition 🔔
Stay informed on key issues impacting Boise School District, including legislative updates, research on our Free Breakfast for All initiative, progress toward Standards-Based Reporting, and the timeline for developing the 2026–2027 district budget.
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...
