Is Desert Sage Elementary School a good school?

Desert Sage Elementary School ranks in the bottom 19.9% of Idaho elementary schools.

How many students attend Desert Sage Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 497 students attended Desert Sage Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Desert Sage Elementary School?

Students at Desert Sage Elementary School are 51% White, 18% Hispanic, 16% African American, 6% Two or more races, 5% Asian, 3% Pacific Islander.

What schools do graduates of Desert Sage Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Desert Sage Elementary School usually go on to attend: Middle : Lake Hazel Middle School High : Mountain View High School

Desert Sage Elementary School

Summary:

Desert Sage Elementary School is a public elementary school in Boise, Idaho, serving students from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade as part of the Joint School District No. 2. Despite being part of a highly-ranked district, Desert Sage Elementary has consistently underperformed, ranking in the bottom half of Idaho elementary schools and maintaining a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

The school's academic performance is a significant concern, with proficiency rates in ISAT Math, Science, and English Language Arts well below the district and state averages across all grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school's 5th-grade Math proficiency rate was only 22.5%, compared to 60.2% for the district and 41.1% for the state. Additionally, Desert Sage Elementary has experienced high rates of chronic absenteeism, ranging from 23.5% to 34% in recent years, which is significantly higher than the state average. The school also serves a large population of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, with over 50% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.

When compared to nearby schools, such as Siena Elementary, Hillsdale Elementary, and Pepper Ridge Elementary, Desert Sage Elementary consistently underperforms in academic proficiency, statewide rankings, and other key metrics. These nearby schools have 4- or 5-star ratings from SchoolDigger and rank in the top 40 Idaho elementary schools, while Desert Sage Elementary is in the bottom quarter of the state. Addressing the challenges faced by Desert Sage Elementary will be crucial for improving the educational outcomes for its students.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

9325 West Mossywood Street
Boise, ID 83709-6498

(208) 350-4020

District: Joint School District No. 2

SchoolDigger Rank:
241^st of 301 Idaho Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $7,445

Students who attend Desert Sage Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Lake Hazel Middle School
High:	Mountain View High School

Student/teacher ratio: 13.3

Number of students: 497

Racial breakdown:

White:

50.5%

Hispanic:

17.7%

African American:

16.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 58.6%

See top rated Idaho elementary schools

Compare Desert Sage Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Desert Sage Elementary School ranks worse than 80.1% of elementary schools in Idaho. It also ranks last among 33 ranked elementary schools in the Joint School District No. 2. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 19.57. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Desert Sage Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (50.5%), Hispanic (17.7%), African American (16.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 58.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Desert Sage Elementary School is 13.3, which is the 3^rd best among 33 elementary schools in the Joint School District No. 2. (See more...)

Compare Desert Sage Elementary School employs 37.2 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Desert Sage Elementary School is $7,445, which is the 9^th highest among 33 elementary schools in the Joint School District No. 2.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Desert Sage Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Desert Sage Elementary School 241^st of 301 Idaho public elementary schools. (See Desert Sage Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Hispanic students:

White students:

Joint School District No. 2:

SchoolDigger ranks Joint School District No. 2 10^th of 77 Idaho school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Your rating for Desert Sage Elementary School?

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Rank History for Desert Sage Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Desert Sage Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	ID State Percentile
2008	53.56	168^th	335	49.9%
2009	47.27	208^th	349	40.4%
2010	44.92	227^th	356	36.2%
2011	45.79	226^th	359	37.0%
2012	25.88	305^th	354	13.8%
2013	19.69	322^nd	357	9.8%
2015	57.76	96^th	226	57.5%
2016	61.10	98^th	240	59.2%
2017	44.09	170^th	292	41.8%
2018	36.56	162^nd	254	36.2%
2019	32.59	120^th	171	29.8%
2021	17.62	143^rd	166	13.9%
2022	28.53	140^th	188	25.5%
2023	26.81	188^th	252	25.4%
2024	19.57	241^st	301	19.9%

See the entire list of Idaho Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Desert Sage Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	ID State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2024	32.13	19^th	26	26.9%

See the entire list of Best Idaho Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Desert Sage Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	ID State Percentile
2018	30.69	91^st	121	24.8%
2019	32.62	18^th	23	21.7%
2022	38.62	15^th	23	34.8%

See the entire list of Best Idaho Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Desert Sage Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	ID State Percentile
2018	29.43	91^st	121	24.8%
2019	40.85	16^th	23	30.4%
2022	15.42	22^nd	23	4.3%

See the entire list of Best Idaho Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Desert Sage Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	ID State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2024	54.79	13^th	58	77.6%

See the entire list of Best Idaho Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Desert Sage Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	ID State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2021	19.27	11^th	11	0.0%
2024	30.44	95^th	135	29.6%

See the entire list of Best Idaho Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Idaho Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: Idaho Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Desert Sage Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2007	424	11	21	48	3	n/a	n/a	507
2008	513	16	26	71	4	n/a	n/a	630
2009	531	16	36	83	5	n/a	n/a	671
2010	528	15	31	87	3	n/a	n/a	664
2011	512	13	14	95	5	10	33	682
2012	477	17	16	116	10	8	43	687
2013	475	18	20	113	11	5	42	684
2014	511	22	21	130	9	11	37	741
2015	474	17	18	128	8	11	32	688
2016	430	21	20	127	8	8	44	658
2017	398	27	23	119	5	12	38	622
2018	443	35	38	96	2	12	33	659
2019	437	48	39	90	1	11	28	654
2020	404	64	40	92	0	14	37	651
2021	333	55	32	84	1	6	25	536
2022	336	85	35	83	2	17	35	593
2023	308	61	34	73	2	10	34	522
2024	251	82	27	88	3	14	32	497

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Desert Sage Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2007	507	25.4	20.0	44.2
2008	630	33.4	18.9	44.1
2009	671	35.1	19.1	44.9
2010	664	42.7	15.5	45.3
2011	682	36.5	18.6	49.3
2012	687	36.5	18.8	59.5
2013	684	36.2	18.8	62.6
2014	741	37.7	19.6	59.6
2015	688	39.0	17.6	62.1
2016	658	39.0	16.8	62.6
2017	622	36.5	17.0	61.9
2018	659	42.7	15.4	61.9
2019	654	37.4	17.4	61.9
2020	651	41.7	15.6	61.9
2021	536	36.2	14.8	42.2
2022	593	39.7	14.9	28.3
2023	522	38.2	13.6	52.9
2024	497	37.2	13.3	58.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Desert Sage Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2007	507	25.4	20.0	44.2
2008	630	33.4	18.9	44.1
2009	671	35.1	19.1	44.9
2010	664	42.7	15.5	45.3
2011	682	36.5	18.6	49.3
2012	687	36.5	18.8	59.5
2013	684	36.2	18.8	62.6
2014	741	37.7	19.6	59.6
2015	688	39.0	17.6	62.1
2016	658	39.0	16.8	62.6
2017	622	36.5	17.0	61.9
2018	659	42.7	15.4	61.9
2019	654	37.4	17.4	61.9
2020	651	41.7	15.6	61.9
2021	536	36.2	14.8	42.2
2022	593	39.7	14.9	28.3
2023	522	38.2	13.6	52.9
2024	497	37.2	13.3	58.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Desert Sage Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$1,345 (18.1%)	$6,100 (81.9%)	$7,445

Data source: Idaho Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Desert Sage Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 120^th of 171 Elementary schools	Ranks 188^th of 252 Elementary schools	4.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade Math (Desert Sage Elementary School)	45.9	40	5.9%
3rd Grade Math (Joint School District No. 2)	67.3	67.2	0.1%
3rd Grade Math (Idaho)	53	49.4	3.6%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Desert Sage Elementary School)	43.6	33.8	9.8%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Joint School District No. 2)	62.3	60.6	1.7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Idaho)	50.5	45.2	5.3%
4th Grade Math (Desert Sage Elementary School)	37	30.7	6.3%
4th Grade Math (Joint School District No. 2)	61.7	68	6.3%
4th Grade Math (Idaho)	49.9	47.2	2.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Desert Sage Elementary School)	40.4	35.6	4.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Joint School District No. 2)	63	65.3	2.3%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Idaho)	52	48.4	3.6%
5th Grade Math (Desert Sage Elementary School)	61.3	32.9	28.4%
5th Grade Math (Joint School District No. 2)	60	63.6	3.6%
5th Grade Math (Idaho)	44.9	41.5	3.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Desert Sage Elementary School)	59.4	47.4	12%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Joint School District No. 2)	69.3	69.7	0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Idaho)	56.9	51.7	5.2%
All Grades Math (Desert Sage Elementary School)	48.3	34.2	14.1%
All Grades Math (Joint School District No. 2)	58.9	57.7	1.2%
All Grades Math (Idaho)	44.4	41.5	2.9%
All Grades Science (Desert Sage Elementary School)	71.4	39.4	32%
All Grades Science (Joint School District No. 2)	73.3	57.5	15.8%
All Grades Science (Idaho)	58.9	41.6	17.3%
All Grades English Language Arts (Desert Sage Elementary School)	47.9	38.9	9%
All Grades English Language Arts (Joint School District No. 2)	68	68.7	0.7%
All Grades English Language Arts (Idaho)	55	52.2	2.8%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	654	522	20.2%
African American	48	61	27.1%
American Indian	1	2	100%
Asian	39	34	12.8%
Hispanic	90	73	18.9%
Pacific Islander	11	10	9.1%
White	437	308	29.5%
Two or More Races	28	34	21.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	61.9%	52.9%	9.1%

Schools Near Desert Sage Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ISAT Math (2024)						ISAT Science (2024)	ISAT English Language Arts (2024)						Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISAT Math 3rd Grade	ISAT Math 4th Grade	ISAT Math 5th Grade	ISAT Math 6th Grade	ISAT Math 7th Grade	ISAT Math All Grades	ISAT Science All Grades	ISAT English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ISAT English Language Arts 4th Grade	ISAT English Language Arts 5th Grade	ISAT English Language Arts 6th Grade	ISAT English Language Arts 7th Grade	ISAT English Language Arts All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Desert Sage Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	9325 West Mossywood Street	Boise	83709	Ada County	Joint School District No. 2	No	No	No	Yes	(208) 350-4020	497	37	13.3	58.6%	251 (50.5%)	82 (16.5%)	88 (17.7%)	27 (5.4%)	3 (0.6%)	14 (2.8%)	32 (6.4%)	19.6	241^st of 301 public elementary schools	19.9%		26.8	188^th of 252 public elementary schools	25.4%	53			22.5			33.8	23.6	42.4	36.4	36.0			38.3	$7,445	$1,345	$6,100
Christine Donnell School Of The Arts	Public, Magnet	K-5	7075 South Five Mile Road	Boise	83709	Ada County	Joint School District No. 2	No	Yes	No	No	(208) 855-4364	460	24	19.1	22.0%	380 (82.6%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (8.0%)	9 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.7%)	31 (6.7%)	80.5	59^th of 301 public elementary schools	80.4%		84.1	37^th of 252 public elementary schools	85.3%	22	71.2	67.9	57.5			65.6		67.1	59.2	68.5			64.8	$6,743	$609	$6,134
Lake Hazel Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	11711 Lake Hazel Road	Boise	83709	Ada County	Joint School District No. 2	No	No	No	No	(208) 350-4075	348	25	14.0	29.6%	262 (75.3%)	8 (2.3%)	48 (13.8%)	5 (1.4%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.6%)	22 (6.3%)	85.1	43^rd of 301 public elementary schools	85.7%		81.8	44^th of 252 public elementary schools	82.5%	1	68.3	69.3	63.8			67.0	55.1	68.3	73.7	69.5			70.6	$6,928	$609	$6,319
Silver Sage Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7700 Snohomish Street	Boise	83709	Ada County	Joint School District No. 2	No	No	No	No	(208) 855-4485	309	20	15.2	56.0%	181 (58.6%)	39 (12.6%)	37 (12.0%)	26 (8.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	25 (8.1%)	22.5	233^rd of 301 public elementary schools	22.6%		49.8	126^th of 252 public elementary schools	50.0%	107						32.8				41.5			40.8	$8,074	$609	$7,465
Amity Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	10000 West Amity Road	Boise	83709	Ada County	Boise Independent District	No	No	No	No	(208) 854-4220	384	23	17.0	31.3%	297 (77.3%)	7 (1.8%)	41 (10.7%)	10 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.8%)	22 (5.7%)	52.5	138^th of 301 public elementary schools	54.2%		48.8	130^th of 252 public elementary schools	48.4%	8		52.0		54.5		49.5	34.3		48.0		58.2		49.1	$9,090	$908	$8,181
Boise Online School - Elementary	Public, Virtual	K-6	8169 West Victory Road	Boise	83709	Ada County	Boise Independent District	No	No	Yes	No	(208) 854-4000	33	4	8.8		22 (66.7%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (24.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (3.0%)	2 (6.1%)								(n/a)
Maple Grove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	2800 South Maple Grove Road	Boise	83709	Ada County	Boise Independent District	No	No	No	No	(208) 854-5540	368	22	17.1	29.9%	286 (77.7%)	5 (1.4%)	35 (9.5%)	9 (2.4%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (8.2%)	48.9	156^th of 301 public elementary schools	48.2%		46.2	140^th of 252 public elementary schools	44.4%	16	61.0	53.3	35.9	34.4		44.8	46.0		46.7	58.5			50.7	$8,497	$642	$7,854
Hillsdale Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5225 South Howry Lane	Meridian	83642	Ada County	Joint School District No. 2	No	No	No	No	(208) 350-4432	745	35	21.4	8.9%	618 (83.0%)	1 (0.1%)	51 (6.8%)	22 (3.0%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	49 (6.6%)	90.9	26^th of 301 public elementary schools	91.4%		92.7	18^th of 252 public elementary schools	92.9%	8	66.4	78.0	75.6			73.4	68.7	66.6	77.1	78.6			74.1	$6,115	$609	$5,506
Pepper Ridge Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2252 South Sumpter Way	Boise	83709	Ada County	Joint School District No. 2	No	No	No	No	(208) 855-4130	506	28	18.4	27.5%	360 (71.1%)	7 (1.4%)	78 (15.4%)	21 (4.2%)	4 (0.8%)	3 (0.6%)	33 (6.5%)	81.1	57^th of 301 public elementary schools	81.1%		79.4	53^rd of 252 public elementary schools	79.0%	4	67.0	69.5	53.9			62.8	51.7	71.8	60.6	75.0			69.6	$6,440	$609	$5,831
Gem Prep: Meridian South	Public, Charter	K-8	1925 Lake Hazel Road	Meridian	83642	Ada County	Gem Prep: Meridian South LLC	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(208) 332-6800	437	19	23.4		344 (78.7%)	3 (0.7%)	59 (13.5%)	10 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	20 (4.6%)	76.4	69^th of 301 public elementary schools	77.1%					(n/a)	79.2		45.8	55.7	57.4	57.1	45.5	64.6	62.3		75.0	78.3	66.5

Desert Sage Elementary School

Desert Sage Elementary School:

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Joint School District No. 2:

What do you think?

Rank History for Desert Sage Elementary School

Rank History for all students at Desert Sage Elementary School

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Desert Sage Elementary School

Rank History for Female students at Desert Sage Elementary School

Rank History for Male students at Desert Sage Elementary School

Rank History for Hispanic students at Desert Sage Elementary School

Rank History for White students at Desert Sage Elementary School

Enrollment information for Desert Sage Elementary School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Desert Sage Elementary School

Student/Teacher Ratio Desert Sage Elementary School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Desert Sage Elementary School

Impact of COVID-19 on Desert Sage Elementary School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Desert Sage Elementary School