Education

The Mountain Home School District includes four elementary schools (K-4), one middle school (5-6), one junior high school (7-8), one high school (9-12), and one alternative school (7-12). Stephenson Elementary is the only school on the installation, serving grades K-4. It falls under the Mountain Home School District and is not a DODDS school.

Mountain Home School District 193’s service area includes greater Mountain Home, Mountain Home Air Force Base and Pine, Idaho. All schools are accredited by the Idaho State Board of Education or Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. Bus service for the schools is provided by the district.

Enrollment for the entire district is approximately 3,300.

Registration Requirements

All new students to the district, regardless of grade, are required to bring a current immunization/shot record and birth certificate at the time of registration.

When registering a kindergartener or first grade student for school, please present your child's birth certificate and immunization records. State law requires that a child must be five years old to attend kindergarten or six years old to attend first grade on or before September 1 of the current school year. If you have school records from another school, please bring the records with you. Please inform the school if your child was placed in any special program or if any special needs were identified at his/her previous school.

Please present immunization records and birth certificate along with any school records when registering a student in grades 2-12.

Questions regarding which school your child should attend can be directed to the School Administration Office, 208-587-2580 or the School Liaison Officer located in the Child Development Center Annex, 208-828-6206 OR 208-599-0412.

Attendance

Mountain Home School District’s Attendance Policy requires students to be in attendance for at least 90% of each school semester. Mountain Home High School students, grades 9-12, (Block Scheduling) exceeding six (6) days of absences in each class period of the semester may result in retention or a denial of credit. Mountain Home Junior High School students, grades 7-8 (Standard Scheduling) exceeding nine (9) days of absences in each class period of the semester may result in retention or a denial of credit.

Regular attendance at school is extremely important in order for your child to take advantage of educational opportunities offered; but if your child is ill, please call the school to report your child's absence. A written statement signed by the parent stating the nature of the illness is required upon your child's return to school.

Curriculum

Mountain Home School District offers a comprehensive course of study for students in grades K-12.  The State of Idaho and the Mountain Home School District have adopted the Common Core Curriculum.

Graduation Requirements: a rigorous course of study requiring 52 credits for graduation (1 semester - 1 credit). English: 8 credits; Speech 1 credit; Math: 6 credit; Science: 6 credits; Economics: 1 credit; Humanities: 2 credits; Social Studies: 6 credits; Health: 1 credit; Physical Education: 2 credits; Computer Technology: 1 credit; Qualified Electives: 2 credits (taken from the following: Physical Education courses which do not fulfill graduation requirements, Humanities, Vocational-Technical (including work-based learning), Family and Consumer Science, Foreign Languages, Fine and Performing Arts, and Social Studies (World Geography for example); Electives: 16 credits and score proficient or higher on the Idaho State Assessment Test (ISAT); and Senior Project: students shall complete a senior project that shall include a written paper and oral presentation by the end of the 12th grade (senior year). College Entrance Examination: Students will take one (1) college entrance examinations before the end of the 11th grade (ACT, SAT, or COMPASS). Scores must be included in the Learning Plan.

Advanced courses are available in reading, physical education, biology, chemistry, psychology, American government, and politics.

Middle level/junior high and elementary school courses follow traditional offerings, and all schools at these levels are accredited through the state approval process. The kindergarten program is based on a developmental philosophy which provides experiences that integrate all academic areas.

Mountain Home School District is working to integrate technology into all phases of the educational program. Their goal is to have technology positively impact both the quality and effectiveness of learning and instruction.

Alternative School

Bennett Mountain High School (9-12th grade). For more information call 208-587-3837

Charter Schools

Richard McKenna Charter High School (9-12th grade) and Richard McKenna Montessori School (K-8th grade). For more information or a tour call 208-580-2449

Transfer Credits

Transfer credits from traditional schools -- To meet the Mountain Home School District’s graduation requirements, transfer credits from other secondary schools will be accepted provided:

a. The sending school is an accredited high school with membership in the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges or its approved counterparts in other states; or

b. The sending school is an accredited high school with membership in the National

Association of Private Schools; or

c. The sending school is a high school approved by the Idaho State Department of

Education and also passes a standards review as determined by the high school principal and/or the superintendent, or designee. The administration shall accept transfer credits from any home study, home instructional program, or private school that are approved by the Idaho State Department of Education and meets the above standards.

Transfer credits from correspondence/Virtual schools -- The Mountain Home School District will accept credits toward high school graduation from any accredited correspondence or virtual high school course, provided the credits were earned in grades 9 through 12.

Vocational Education

Vocational education is an important component of the curriculum in Mountain Home schools. Vocational education classes are designed to allow training in occupational fields so students can become employed at basic skill levels or can continue in advanced vocational training. At the middle school and junior high school levels, introductory courses in home economics, wood working, drafting, and technology are made available to students. At the high school level, the vocational education program consists of business education, marketing, home economics, industrial technology (construction and mechanical drafting), and vocational technology (automotive, industrial mechanics, and health occupations).

Bus Services

Transportation-Bus transportation is provided to and from school for those students living a distance of 1.5 miles or more from the school they attend. Busing is also available for students with special needs. If you have questions concerning transportation, please contact Caldwell Transportation Company at 208-587-8045. The Charter schools from Richard McKenna does not have bus services at his time.

Health Services

Immunizations required by the State of Idaho:

A. Five (5) or more doses (children born before September 1, 1999 only require four (4) or more doses) of DTaP, DTP, or DT (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis), unless fewer doses are medically recommended; and

B. Three (3) or more doses of Polio (OPV or IPV) vaccine, unless fewer doses are medically recommended; and

C. Three (3) doses of Hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccine (for children born after November 22, 1991), unless fewer doses are medically recommended; and

D. Two (2) doses (children born before September 1, 1999 only require one (1) dose) of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine given on or after the child’s first birthday.

Food Services

The Mountain Home School District offers a school lunch program with multiple entree selections at every school. A breakfast program is also available in selected elementary schools. Free and reduced-priced lunches and breakfasts are available to those who qualify. Applications for free or reduced-priced meals may be picked up at any school office. Questions regarding the school lunch program may be answered by calling the Food Service Department at 208-587-2573.

Counseling Services

Student counseling services are offered to High School and Junior High School students. There is a traveling psychologist that conducts special education assessments for all students within the Mountain Home School District. For more information, please call the Counseling Center at 208-587-2577. Military Family Life Counselors (MFLC) are employed at all elementary schools and the middle school.

Technology

Computers are utilized in academic and vocational programs to instruct students in word processing, database, spreadsheets, and communications. The District also utilizes computers to provide instruction, reinforcement, and remediation for students in subject areas throughout the curriculum.

The implementation of technology throughout the District is guided by District Technology Committee, which consists of Building Technology Committee representatives, patrons, and District administrators. The District Technology Committee provides vision, goals, guidelines, funding, and regulations for technology throughout the District.

Activities Program

A wide range of sports and extracurricular activities offer students a variety of choices to enhance their educational and social experiences. Drama, vocal, and instrumental music, as well as various club activities, are a few of the special-interest areas available to students.

Activity Code of Conduct

Students participating in extracurricular and co-curricular activities, such as athletics, music, drama, club activities, and elected positions, must realize these are special opportunities that in most cases will only happen during high school years. When visiting another school, students represent the pride and tradition of their school, coaches, and fellow participants; they are responsible for conducting themselves according to the highest standards of behavior at all times. If students violate the drug, alcohol, tobacco policies, they will receive the consequences stated in the school rules.

Student Eligibility: A student must be in attendance all day on the day of practice, competition, or performance. Truant or suspended students are not allowed to participate or practice in any activity or athletic event. Participants must be enrolled full-time and have passing grades in at least seven (7) full credit subjects and have at least a 2.0 GPA. A student must have satisfactorily completed the proceeding semester and the academic eligibility requirements to be eligible for the current semester. They must also purchase an activity card.

Parent Involvement

Parent are encouraged to become involved in the educational welfare of their children by volunteering in the schools, serving on District level committees, and participating in parent groups.

The Mountain Home AFB Education Center (Bldg 2428 2nd Floor), in cooperation with participating colleges and universities, provides adult education opportunities to service members, their families, DOD employees and local residents. These courses range from college preparatory to graduate level. Professional counselors are available to provide career and educational counseling. Please call 208-828-6363 for more information.

There is out of state tuition exemption for military and family members. GED is available in Mountain Home.

The Mountain Home AFB School Liaison Officer is located at the Child Development Center Annex. The School Liaison Officers works to improve transitional support for school children of Mountain Home AFB personnel by establishing partnerships between the base and local schools, advocating for military children, increasing awareness of the unique needs of military children, and providing a process to address and resolve military-specific education issues. 

For more information please call 208-599-0412 or visit the Student Liaison homepage.

If you are considering private/home or virtual schools refer to the following:

• Private Schools Report
• Homeschool Idaho can provide information about home schooling in Idaho.
• The Idaho Virtual Academy (K-12) uses the K¹² curriculum to offer Idaho students in grades K-12 an exceptional learning experience. With individualized learning approaches, the Idaho Virtual Academy and K¹² provide the tools kids need to succeed—in school and beyond.

Mountain Home AFB has approximately 25 families that choose to homeschool at any given time.