LEARN & GROW

reintegrate into the community and into more traditional education programs. Marion Pritchett School provides a confidential environment for pregnant and parenting young women who want to earn their high school diploma. The Dennis Technical Education Center features an industry-aligned, hands-on curriculum with subjects that include automotive technology, business finance, electronics technology, graphic design, precision machining, welding, residential n an a construction, computer technology, and m s esm es e t

at healthcare fields. tat ta t S

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ho h ogy, engineering, or mathematics. Ph Boise Evening School is for those over Fifth-grader Kiya Velasquez, 10, center, has an idea to contribute to a class lesson about inference in literature at Lake Ridge Elementary School. the age of 16 who have not graduated but who want to complete their high school education. Education for everyone The Madison Early Childhood Center is dedicated to developmentally disabled pre- Choices abound for every kind of student school children between the ages of 3 and 5. The goal is to better prepare students for BY DUSTY PARNELL the Top 10 Percent list of the 22,000 total school and to reduce the need for special number of public high schools in the study. education services in elementary school. There are eight school districts across These are not the only schools be- the Boise Valley with a wide variety of ing noticed by the educational system. Caldwell School District choices for students, including charter and Alternative Frank Church High School, for This school district features six elemen- magnet schools. The State Board of example, has increased its graduation rate tary schools, two middle schools, a high Education has established a goal that 60 from 28 to 75 percent over the past decade. school, an alternative high school, and percent of Idaho citizens between ages 25 In addition, Boise District SAT scores were a freshman academy, for those students and 34 attain a postsecondary degree or among the highest of any large school dis- who need more focused attention to help certificate by 2020. To that end, the state is trict in Idaho, and college-going rates have transition to high school. already outpacing the nation in the per- increased for six consecutive years. At the The P16 Caldwell Education Project centage of students taking the SAT college other end of the spectrum, some schools (CAP) is a recent program to help prepare entrance exam. Also of note, Idaho eighth- now offer all-day kindergarten, and two students of all ages prepare for post-sec- graders perform above the international elementary schools provide an opportu- ondary opportunities. In its first two years, average for mathematics and science. nity to become fluent in both English and the go-on rate for high school students Spanish. climbed from 39 to 50 percent, not count- Boise Independent School District In addition to the usual public schools, ing military or certification programs. All four of the district’s traditional high the district also offers several alternative Students at a couple of the elementary schools rank among the top 9 percent of and service school opportunities: after-school programs are labeled not by the annual listing of America’s Most Chal- Frank Church High School is an alter- their first names, but with the year the lenging High Schools, which measures native school to assist those students who student would graduate from college — effectiveness in providing opportunities have dropped out or are at risk of drop- mostly 2027 to 2030. for rigorous coursework. This is the fifth ping out. The Victory Academy at FCHS This nonprofit project has three com- consecutive year the schools have made also teaches job and life skills to help them ponents, ranging from preschool to high

40 BOISE, IDAHO school. Ninety percent of parents with high school, a middle school, and seven at a faster pace than any district in the children in the Out of School Program said elementary schools. Kuna Middle School history of the state of Idaho. Meridian is on their children’s grades have improved since is one of 11 schools in Idaho to participate a pace to become the second-largest city entering P16. in the Idaho Technology Pilot Program in the state, and enrollment is expected to “The good thing about the program that uses grant money to provide laptop continue to rise at an unprecedented rate is that you can learn how to, why to, and computers to increase mathematic and for several years to come. what to do on your way up to college,” said writing skills. With the growing demand The newest elementary addition is the one elementary-age student. for technology in schools, the program is a Barbara Morgan STEM Academy with an step forward to study and create more edu- emphasis on Science, Technology, Engi- Emmett School District cational avenues like this. neering, and Math (STEM). In addition to This district in Gem County serves being a part of NASA’s Teacher in Space 2,700 students in two elementary schools, Meridian School District Program, Barbara Morgan, a Boise Valley two rural elementary schools with multi- The Fresco Arts Academy joins this resident, has been a leader and innovator ple-grade classrooms, a traditional high school district in 2014 after a seven-year in STEM educational programs. school, and an alternative high school, as history as a private academy. The school The Meridian Transition Academy is a well as the Payette River Technical Acad- currently serves almost 120 students in community-based program for students emy, which has a blended curriculum of grades 6 through 12. The music, art, dance, ages 18 to 21 with disabilities. It offers on- both high school and technical classes. The and theater programs will fill a void the the-job vocational training with a goal of Emmett Academy is a tuition-free virtual district has been looking to fill for some increased responsibility and independence. school that offers a flexible, self-paced time. The district also offers Professional- program. The Meridian Joint School District Technical (PT) Program classes at three serves about 35,000 students in Eagle, tech centers. Programs include Certified Kuna School District Meridian, Star, and parts of Boise and cov- Nursing Assistant, Culinary Arts, Digital Serving about 5,000 students, this dis- ers nearly 384 square miles. In the past 10 Home Technology Integration+, Pharmacy trict has one high school, one alternative years, the district has opened new schools Technician, Fire Services, Law Enforce- Idaho’s #1 College Outstanding faculty 4 Carnegie Foundation Idaho Professors of the Year Personal attention 13 Average class size Successful graduates 7 Rhodes Scholars, 4 NFL players, 3 state governors, 2 Academy Award and Pulitzer Prize winners

Affordable excellence C of I is ranked among the nation's top 20 best college values by College Factual

At The , students have more opportunities to discover and explore their passions. That’s why we’ve been recognized as one of the nation’s best private college values. Learn more today. collegeofidaho.edu/admission — 208-459-5305

BOISECHAMBER.ORG 41 LEARN & GROW ment, Detention and Corrections, Pre- than 15,200 students. provide a variety of choices for high Engineering, Residential Construction, New Horizons is a dual language mag- school students to explore different career Animal Science, Automotive Technology, net school and one of the district’s largest opportunities. Many of the programs of- Botany, Collision Repair, Masonry, Me- elementary schools with a student body of fer industry certification and/or college chanical-Small Gasoline Engines, Welding/ 520 from kindergarten through fifth grade. credit. Classes offered include Automotive Fabrication, Heavy Duty Diesel, Informa- The four middle schools in the district Technology, Agriculture Science, Graphics tion Technology, Electronics Technology, offer a pre-engineering program that al- Communication-Broadcasting Technology, Precision Machining, and Commercial lows students to explore problem-solving Graphics Communication-Photography Graphic Design. Most programs also offer in a fun, hands-on way. Technology, Drafting Technology, Health internships, college credits, and certifica- The district also features Professional Professions, Information Technology, Law tions. Technical Education Programs (PTE) that Enforcement, Professionals in Education,

Middleton School District TO FIND OUT MORE This district has about 3,600 students in six schools — three elementary schools, Boise Independent School District – boiseschools.org a middle school, a high school and an alternative school. Accelerated Teaching Caldwell School District – caldwellschools.org Learning and Academic Success (ATLAS) Emmett School District – emmettschools.org School features smaller class sizes and an Kuna School District – kunaschools.org environment where students who have Meridian (Joint School District No. 2) – meridianschools.org struggled in other settings can succeed. Middleton School District – msd134.org Nampa School District – nsd131.org Nampa School District This school district is Canyon County’s Vallivue School District – vallivue.org largest employer with 24 schools and more topone of the25 inBest theEducational nation Values

A Legacy of Leading: A Smarter Investment in Your Future As one of only four universities in the West recognized by Forbes as a “Best Value College,” the is among the nation’s top choices for students seeking an affordable, world-class education. Our engaged faculty and global learning opportunities mean students graduate with confidence, experience and a plan for a successful career.

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42 BOISE, IDAHO Pre-Engineering, Residential Construction, Welding, Early Child- hood Development, Power Sports and Small Engine Repair, and Business Technology. LEADING Vallivue School District This district began with about a dozen rural schoolhouses scattered throughout the Canyon County countryside and forming a school district in 1961, followed closely by Vallivue High School. IDAHO Today the district has six elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, and two alternative schools. Its students come &EVDBUJOHIFBMUIQSPGFTTJPOBMT from Caldwell, Nampa, and nearby rural areas. After more than 50 years, the district’s population has grown We offer more than 20 graduate and to the point where a brand new high school is now on the draw- undergraduate programs in the health ing board. Ridgevue High School is expected to open its doors by sciences and provide dental, counseling, fall 2016 near the corner of Linden and Madison roads in North and speech language services for Nampa. underserved populations at our clinics. The new school will feature an indoor track, a fine arts audi- torium with a full stage, science labs, computer labs, and a media center. The sports complex will feature tennis courts, baseball, football, soccer, and track facilities. Based on current enrollment projections for the 2016-17 school year, each high school will have about 1,100 students. The school district’s overall goal is to put at least 80 percent Meridian Health Science Center of its students on a college/career path by 2016, and moving that goal to 100 percent by 2020.  tXXXJTVFEVNFSJEJBO 1022600-01

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BOISECHAMBER.ORG 43 LEARN & GROW Higher education o! ers larger choices Curriculums and opportunities increase across the Valley

BY DUSTY PARNELL

Higher education opportunities con- tinue to grow and expand in the Boise Valley, and there are a variety of educa- tional choices and institutions to find the program you need, whether you’re looking for professional certification or a doctoral degree.

Boise State University Founded in 1932 as Boise Junior Col- lege, has grown into a metropolitan research university with an enrollment of 22,000 students. It offers 200 degrees and certificates in seven academic colleges: Arts & Sci- ences, Business & Economics, Educa- tion, Engineering, Graduate, Health Sciences, and Social Sciences & Public Affairs. BSU has the largest undergradu- ate nursing program in Idaho, as well as an internationally accredited busi- ness school. It is the only university in Boise State University graduate Kayla Hubbard (B.S. in Math) cheers as she poses in front a large “B” in front of the administration building after commencement. the country to offer a Master of Science degree in Raptor Biology. In 2013, BSU launched its ninth and entertainment events, including departments. Top majors are Biology, doctoral degree — an online doctor of Bronco sports, the Gene Harris Jazz Fes- Health Sciences, History, Psychology, nursing practice. tival, the Distinguished Lecture Series, and Business. U.S. News & World Report has twice and the Martin Luther King Jr. Human The innovative Professional, Ethical, listed Boise State as one of the top up- Rights Celebration. Articulate, and Knowledgeable (PEAK) and-coming schools in the nation for curriculum enables students to gradu- regional universities. The College of En- College of Idaho ate with an academic major and three gineering is consistently ranked among Located in Caldwell, the College of undergraduate minors in four years. This the best undergraduate engineering Idaho is the state’s oldest private col- allows students to cultivate his or her programs. lege, founded in 1884 by the Presbytery talents and passions in four academic This urban university, located a short of Wood River. (From 1991 until 2007, areas — fine arts & humanities, natural distance from downtown Boise, has it was known as Albertson College of sciences & mathematics, social sciences seen tremendous growth and upgrades Idaho.) This liberal arts college has an & history, and a professional field. throughout the campus in the past enrollment of 1,100 students from all The College has a strong sports back- decade. The new Micron Business and over the world. International students ground in the National Association of Economics Building, for example, is one comprise 10 percent of the student body Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), includ- of 17 major building projects in recent and, overall, 22 states and 55 countries ing national championships. Meanwhile, years that have resulted in a 25 percent are represented at the college, which the school will field a football team in increase in classroom, laboratory, office, boasts a student to faculty ration of 12 2014 after a 37-year absence. They play event, and common area space. to 1. in the Frontier League, which covers More than 1.5 million people visit the C of I offers 26 majors, 57 minors, schools in Idaho, Montana, North Da- campus annually for cultural, athletic, and 13 collaborative programs in 16 kota, Oregon, and Utah. The team will

44 BOISE, IDAHO LEARN & GROW e n un u bun bu b i ri r Tri Tr T ss s e re Pre P o ho da d Ida y by by o to to Pho Ph

College of Western Idaho Graduates

play its games at Simplot Field in Caldwell, which will have artificial turf installed by the time the season starts. C of I alumni include a former Oregon governor and two Idaho governors, including the current Governor, C.L. “Butch” Otter.

College of Western Idaho (CWI) CWI in Nampa began regular classes in January 2009, with an enrollment of more than 1,100 students. Enroll- ment expanded to 3,600 students by the fall semester. The campus is the former West Campus of Boise State Univer- sity. Today, the College has grown to support nearly 20,000 degree and short-term training students each year. The rapidly expanding student population is served by more than 800 faculty and support staff across the Boise Valley in eight campus locations and more than a dozen community classrooms. During the 2012-13 term, almost 800 degrees and cer- tificates were awarded, including associate degrees in Arts, Science, Applied Science, and technical certifications. In addition, 1,800 students received their GED diplomas. High school students can obtain college credit through dual credit programs and receive college credit for tech prep courses such as automotive, information technology, welding, diesel technology, and dental assisting. Numerous programs prepare students to transfer to a four-year univer- sity or to improve skills for the workforce. Associate degrees 1021260-01 are offered in diverse areas from Baking and Pastry Arts to 46 BOISE, IDAHO Wildland Fire Management. One of the exciting new develop- ments at CWI is the addition of a new 176,000-square-foot Professional Tech- nical Education Program Center.

Idaho State University - Meridian Health Science Center This school in Pocatello opened its doors in 1902 as the Academy of Idaho. Four name changes later, the school finally settled on in 1963. ISU’s presence in the Boise Valley began in the early 1970s with clinical pharmacy rotations at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Boise and the Nampa State School. Since then, it has added more than 25 graduate and undergradu- ate degrees. Most fields of study are in the health professions and sciences. Pharmacy Technicians Program at Idaho State University Meridian Campus In 2014, Idaho State University-Me- ridian Health Science Center graduated medical sciences and research have the the enrollment of 322 students in 2014 its largest class in history, conferring 235 opportunity to use ISU laboratories and was up 3.5 percent from the previous degrees. resources. year. As programs have grown, so too ISU-Meridian also serves as the Master’s, doctorate, and specialist has its campus — moving from leased higher education anchor of the CORE degrees are offered, as well as certifi- facilities to the Idaho State University- (Council on Rehabilitation Education), cates and professional development in a Meridian Health Science Center in 2009, an 1,800-acre business enterprise cor- number of disciplines. Some programs which spans four acres and houses nine ridor with public and private partners are offered in a traditional classroom distance-learning classrooms, the L.S. committed to building the economy and others are online or in a hybrid Skaggs Pharmacy Complex, Counseling through innovations in health, research, setting and include Agriculture and Life and Speech and Language clinics, and and technology. Sciences, Architecture, Education, Engi- human patient simulation and clinical/ neering, Environmental Science, Water medical science laboratories. The Delta University of Idaho Boise Resources, Science masters, third-year Dental of Idaho Dental Residency Clinic The University of Idaho was founded Law, and Natural Resources. opened in 2011 and provides advanced in 1889 and is consistently recognized Located in downtown Boise, the training for dentists and treatment for as one of the best public colleges in Urban Design Center offers Master of underserved patients. America. Architecture and Landscape Architec- In the spring of 2014, it was an- From its main campus in Moscow, ture students the opportunity to engage nounced the school would soon be to 70 research and academic loca- in sustainable urban design in a metro- breaking ground on new anatomy and tions statewide, U-Idaho combines the politan setting while contributing to the physiology laboratories at the Meridian strength of a large university with the future urban landscape of the rapidly campus, to be opened in 2015. These intimacy of small learning communities. evolving Boise Valley. new facilities will advance the learning As a land-grant institution, part of Research projects in Southern Idaho opportunities for both students and cur- the university’s mission is to serve all cover a wide variety of subjects, includ- rent health practitioners. of Idaho, including campuses in Coeur ing biomedical and molecular biology, Unique to ISU-Meridian is its d’Alene, Boise, Twin Falls, and Idaho agricultural and natural resources, ani- partnership with Joint School District Falls. mals and fisheries, environmental and No. 2, whose administrative offices The Boise location began in 1910 ecological, energy and water, bioreme- and Renaissance Magnet High School with an agricultural extension program diation and subsurface science, nano- are adjacent to the University. Renais- in Ada County. Today, there are more technology and material sciences, and sance students interested in careers in than 120 faculty and staff members, and education program design.

BOISECHAMBER.ORG 47 EDUCATION

PRIMARY Bishop Kelly High School POST! College of Western Idaho Lewis-Clark State College 7009 Franklin Rd. 5500 E. University Way 250 S. 5th St., Ste. 300 EDUCATION Boise, ID 83709 SECONDARY Nampa, ID 83687 Boise, ID 83702 (208) 375-6010 SCHOOLS (208) 562-3000 (208) 792-2378 Idaho State www.bk.org www.cwidaho.cc www.lcsc.edu Department of Education These schools are proud 650 W. State St., Cole Valley Christian members of the Boise Metro Concordia University Northwest Nazarene P.O. Box 83720 Schools Secondary Campus Chamber of Commerce. School of Law University Boise, ID 83720-0027 & Administration Other post-secondary schools 501 W. Front St., Boise, ID 623 Holly St. (208) 332-6800 200 E. Carlton Ave. are available in the Boise 83702 Nampa, ID 83686 www.sde.idaho.gov Meridian, ID 83642 metropolitan area. (208) 955-1001 (208) 467-8521 (208) 898-9003 www.concordialaw.com www.nnu.edu Idaho State www.colevalleychristian.org Boise State University Board of Education 1910 University Dr. Idaho State University Northwest Nazarene 650 W. State St., Room 307 Cole Valley Christian Schools Boise, ID 83725 - Development Center University Boise Center Boise, ID 83702 Elementary Campus (208) 426-1000 802 W. Bannock St., Ste. 200 720 E. Park Blvd., Ste. 105 (208) 334-2270 8775 Ustick Rd. www.boisestate.edu Boise, ID 83702 Boise, ID 83712 www.boardofed.idaho.gov Boise, ID 83704 (208) 334-4781 (208) 467-8113 (208) 375-3571 www.isu.edu www.nnu.edu/academics/boise-center Boise Independent www.colevalleychristian.org 2750 E. Gala Ct. School District Meridian, ID 83642 Idaho State University Paul Mitchell The School 8169 W. Victory Rd. Foothills School (208) 577-2900 - Meridian Boise Boise, ID 83709 618 S. 8th St. www.broadviewuniversity.edu 1311 E. Central Dr., Meridian, 13965 W. Chinden Blvd., (208) 854-4000 Boise, ID 83702 ID 83642 Ste. 201, Boise, ID 83713 www.boiseschools.org (208) 331-9260 Brown Mackie College (208) 373-1708 (208) 287-4040 www.foothillsschool.org 9050 W. Overland Rd., Ste. 100 www.isu.edu http://boise.paulmitchell.edu/boise-id Caldwell School District Boise, ID 83709 1101 E. Cleveland Blvd. Fresco Arts Academy (208) 321-8800 Idaho WWAMI / UW School Stevens-Henager College Caldwell, ID 83605 3467 W. Flint Dr. www.brownmackie.edu of Medicine 1444 S. Entertainment Ave. (208) 455-3300 Eagle, ID 83616 322 E. Front St., Ste. 442 Boise, ID 83709 www.caldwellschool.org (208) 938-5410 Carrington College Boise, ID 83702 (208) 345-0700 www.frescoarts.org 1122 N. Liberty St. (208) 364-4544 www.stevenshenager.edu Emmett School District Boise, ID 83704 www.uwmedicine.washington.edu 201 E. Third St. Giraffe Laugh Early Learning (208) 377-8080 University of Idaho – Boise Emmett, ID 83617 Centers www.carrington.edu ITT Technical Institute 322 E. Front St., Ste. 350 (208) 365-6301 1191 W. Grand Ave. 12302 W. Explorer Dr. Boise, ID 83702 www.emmettschools.org Boise, ID 83702 The College of Idaho Boise, ID 83713 (208) 364-4002 (208) 424-3387 2112 Cleveland Blvd. (208) 322-8844 www.uidaho.edu/boise Joint School District #2 www.giraffelaugh.org Caldwell, ID 83605 www.itt-tech.edu (Boise, Meridian, Star, Eagle) (208) 459-5011 University of Phoenix 911 Meridian Rd. iSucceed Virtual High School www.collegeofidaho.edu – Idaho Campus Meridian, ID 83642 6148 N. Discovery Way, 1422 S. Tech Way (208) 855-4500 Ste. 120 Meridian, ID 83642 www.meridianschools.org Boise, ID 83713 (208) 888-1505 (208) 375-3116 www.phoenix.edu Kuna School District www.isucceedvhs.net 1450 Boise St., Kuna, ID 83634 (208) 922-1000 Puentes Language Program www.kunaschools.org & Spanish Preschool 1605 S. Phillipi St. Nampa School District Boise, ID 83705 619 S. Canyon (208) 344-4270 Nampa, ID 83686 www.puentes.biz (208) 468-4600 www.nsd131.org Riverstone International School Vallivue School District 5521 Warm Springs Ave. 5207 S. Montana Ave. Boise, ID 83716 Caldwell, ID 83607 (208) 424-5000 (208) 454-0445 www.riverstoneschool.org www.vallivue.org Vellotti’s Chess School PRIVATE 2913 N. 36th St. Boise, ID 83703 SCHOOLS (208) 713-2486 www.SuccessInChess.com These schools are proud members of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce. Other private schools are available in the .

The Ambrose School 6100 N. Locust Grove Rd. Meridian, ID 83646 (208) 323-3888 www.theambroseschool.org

BOISECHAMBER.ORG 63