News & Events

Please join us in celebrating an outstanding educator!

We’re proud to announce that Kara Sutton, a 3rd grade teacher at Lewis & Clark Elementary, has been named as a finalist for the Simplot Inspirational Teacher of the Year!

Ms. Sutton was so nice and she helped me prepare for 4th grade. Whenever I, or other students needed help, Ms. Sutton would stop what she was doing and come to help. She always had a good attitude and she taught me things I never thought I would learn.

Diego S.

Ms. Sutton is my favorite teacher. She is kind, brave and so beautiful. She inspired me to love writing. I will be so sad to leave her when I go to 6th grade.

Ferra P.

The Simplot Education Council received 2,204 nominations honoring 407 standout teachers across District 25. We’ll be showcasing our finalists daily through Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

On Thursday, May 14, 2026, three educators—one from each level: elementary, middle, and high school—will be named this year’s Simplot Inspirational Teacher Award winners. All finalists receive a $100 award, and the top teacher in each category will take home a $500 prize from the Council.

Congratulations to the 140 students from Lewis & Clark Elementary and Syringa Elementary who recently graduated from the D.A.R.E. program!

The ceremony was led by Officer Nielsen, marking his final D.A.R.E. graduation after 10 years of teaching the program and positively impacting hundreds of students in our community.

Students and families also enjoyed a K9 demonstration from Cpl. Anderson and his K9 partner Flip, with Officer Nielsen bravely volunteering to wear the bite suit during the demonstration!

Thank you to everyone who contributes to this program. Pocatello D.A.R.E., Inc. is entirely supported through donations and fundraisers, and without the support of our community this program would not be possible.

Pocatello D.A.R.E., Inc. provides educational programming for students throughout Pocatello. Our elementary lessons are taught to 5th-grade students in School District 25, as well as local private and charter schools, with Pocatello Police Officers engaging with approximately 800–900 students each school year.

If you are interested in supporting the program or making a contribution, we would love to connect with you!

Source: City of Pocatello Police Department Facebook Page

Sgt. Sampson has taken to his new role as the School Resource Supervisor quite nicely and knows how to bring the energy at Lewis & Clark during their annual Giving Tree Food Drive! This week, Sgt. Sampson helped collect 612 pounds of food from classrooms to add to the growing “tree” in the school lobby.

All of the donations will help stock the Lewis & Clark food pantry—supporting students and families in need.

Thank you, Lewis & Clark, for looking out for one another through the gift of sharing!

#proudtobeaschoolresourceofficer

Source: Pocatello Police Department Facebook Page

Please join us in celebrating an outstanding educator! 

We’re proud to announce that Codie Renz, 4th grade teacher at Lewis & Clark Elementary School, has been named a finalist for the 2025 Simplot Inspirational Teacher of the Year!

This year, the Simplot Education Council received an incredible 2,617 nominations recognizing 402 exceptional teachers across Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25. Finalists will be spotlighted daily through Thursday, May 15, 2025.

On Friday, May 16, 2025, three Simplot Inspirational Teacher Awards will be announced—honoring one exceptional teacher each from the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Each category features five finalists, all of whom will receive a $100 award, with the top recipient in each group earning a $500 prize from the Council.

Congratulations to Ms. Renz on this well-deserved recognition!

“Ms. Renz is one of the kindest teachers you will ever meet. She works diligently to build relationships with her learners. She is always cruising away in her teaching jam and pushing learners to do their best. She is always inviting learners and their friends to enjoy their lunch in her classroom, her classroom is very warm, cozy and welcoming”.  February H.

“I think Ms. Renz should receive the Simplot Inspirational Teacher Award because of her humorous, thoughtful, and inspirational personality. She is funny, helpful, and fabulous.” Alphy S.

Dear Ms. Renz, thank you for being my teacher. You helped me with everything from my tough times to my happy times. You were the best teacher anyone could ask for. You made me excited to come to school. I have some of the best memories from being in your class. Ismael G. 

This summer, two Lewis & Clark learners were selected to attend the Pathways to STEM Program. Trey Weiss and Ben Blodgett were both nominated by Mr. Mettinger for the National Youth Leadership Forum - Pathways to STEM. There were multiple locations for them to choose from. They both raised the money and traveled to Denver for the conference.

When is the first day of school for the 2026/2027 school year?

• Wednesday, August 26, 2026 for Grades 1-12
• Thursday, August 27, 2026 Kindergarten First Day (Group A)
• Friday, August 28, 2026 Kindergarten First Day (Group B)
• Back to School FAQ will be updated for the 2027/2028 school year after July 1, 2027.

How do I apply for my child to receive free and reduced meals?

Online Application Instructions

• Free and reduced meals will continue to be provided for those learners who qualify during the 2025-2026 school year. To qualify for free and reduced meals, parents and guardians are encouraged to fill out the free and reduced meal application after July 1, 2025. For more information refer to our Food Services website

When is the last day of school for the 2026/2027 school year?

• Thursday, June 3, 2027

When is graduation for the Class of 2027?

• New Horizon High School: Thursday, June 3, 2027 6:00 p.m.
• Century High School: Friday, June 4, 2027 
• Pocatello High School: Friday, June 4, 2027 
• Highland High School: Friday, June 4, 2027 

When do I find out about transfers?

• The elementary transfer meeting is Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
• Secondary schools transfers are notified within 60 days of submission of the application.

How do I transfer my learner?

New Elementary Transfer Form coming soon.

High School/Middle School Transfer Application coming soon.

When is registration?

• Learners who are new to PCSD 25: Register online by completing the Online Registration. After completing the registration online, call your neighborhood school after August 3 to confirm.

• In-Person new elementary school registration:

  Learners entering grades K-5 who are brand new to the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 may enroll for the 2026-2027 school year in-person on Thursday, August 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

  Families are required to provide their learner’s birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of residence. Please note: moving into or living within a school boundary does not ensure placement at a specific school. All school placements are based on available space in that grade level at that school. Visit Find My Enrollment to find your home school. 

When is schedule pick-up for middle school and high school learners?

• High School Schedule Pick-up
  • August 12 and 13, 2026
    • 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    • 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

 

• Middle School Schedule Pick-up
  • August 12, 2026
    • 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    • 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • August 13, 2026
    • 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

When is Back to School Night?

• Middle School Back to School Night is August 25, 2026 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

School	Date	Time
Chubbuck Elementary	Coming soon
Edahow Elementary	Coming soon
Ellis Elementary	Coming soon
Gate City Elementary	Coming soon
Greenacres Elementary	Coming soon
Indian Hills Elementary	Coming soon
Jefferson Elementary	Coming soon
Lewis & Clark Elementary	Coming soon
Syringa Elementary	Coming soon
Tendoy Elementary	Coming soon
Tyhee Elementary	Coming soon
Wilcox Elementary	Coming soon
Lincoln Early Childhood Center	Coming soon

Where is my bus stop?

• Elementary Boundaries
• Middle School Boundaries
• High School Boundaries

What time does my child’s school start? What time does my child’s school dismiss?

Start and Dismissal Times for Schools

What school supplies will my child need this year?

Elementary School Supplies

Middle School Supplies

High School Supplies are listed on the course syllabus

Where is the 2026-2027 school calendar located?

2025-2026 School District 25 Calendar

What are the upcoming school closure dates? (No School)

• ALL Grades: Monday, September 7, 2026 - Labor Day
• Grades K-5: Thursday & Friday, October 1 & 2, 2026 - Parent Teachers Conferences
• Grades 6-12: School will be in session Thursday, October 1. Closed Friday, October 2, 2026 - Middle School Parent Teacher Conferences and High School Professional Development 
• ALL Grades: Tuesday, November 3, 2026 - Election Day
• ALL Grades: Thursday, November 19, 2026 - End of Trimester/Record Day
• ALL Grades: Friday, November 20, 2026 - Teacher Professional Development Day
• ALL Grades: Monday - Friday, November 23 - 27, 2026 - Thanksgiving Break
• ALL Grades: Monday - Friday, December 21 - January 1, 2027 - Winter Break. School resumes Monday, January 4, 2027.
• ALL Grades: Monday, January 18, 2027 - Idaho Human Rights Day / Martin Luther King Jr., Day
• ALL Grades: Friday, February 5, 2027 - Middle School Parent Teacher Conferences and High School Professional Development/Registration
• ALL Grades: Monday, February 15, 2027 - President's Day
• ALL Grades: Friday, March 5, 2027 - End of Trimester/Record Day
• ALL Grades: Monday - Friday, March 22 - 26, 2027 - Spring Break
• ALL Grades: Monday, May 31, 2027 - Memorial Day
• ALL Grades: Thursday, June 3, 2027 - Last Day of School

What is the best way to monitor my child’s progress during the school year?

• Parent engagement has a direct correlation to student success. PCSD 25 parents can log into the Campus Parent Portal and stay engaged with information at-your-fingertips throughout the school year. Parent favorites include:
  • Access to student grades 
  • Review attendance and absences 
  • Monitor assignments due or upcoming exams 
  • Notifications for School/District Announcements 
  • Lunchroom information 
• To download the Campus Parent Portal app on your mobile phone. Visit the App or Play Store on your mobile device and search for “campus parent portal”. If you need login information, please contact the Help Desk: (208) 235-3219.

First Friday Art Walk | MAY 1, 2026 | 5-8:00 p.m. | Gate City Coffee

Artwork | Poetry | Photography & Photo Stories
Pottery & Sculpture | Musical Composition and More

Artwork awards sponsored by the SD25 Education Foundation

The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 invites the community to experience America Through the Eyes of Our Learners, a special Fine Arts Exhibition celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.

The exhibition will take place during the Historic Downtown Pocatello First Friday Art Walk on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Gate City Coffee (320 W. Center Street). The event will feature more than 200 pieces of original artwork and creative expression from learners across School District 25.

Live student musical performances will also be featured during the event at 6:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

The exhibition features submissions from learners in grades K–12, with works developed through classroom and individual creative efforts across a variety of mediums, including visual art, photography, multi-media creations, and poetry.

The event is part of a broader effort by the PCSD 25 Board of Trustees to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary by creating opportunities for learners to explore, reflect on, and share what the nation’s history and ideals mean to them today.

Awards will be presented across multiple categories and grade levels, including Best in Show and People’s Choice Awards, with more than $2,000 in prizes recognizing learner achievement and creativity.

Awards for the competition are proudly sponsored by the School District 25 Education Foundation, whose support helps make opportunities like this possible for learners across the district.

This event is about more than art—it’s about giving our learners a voice, said Courtney Fisher, Director of Communications, Community Relations and the Education Foundation. “Through their work, our learners are sharing their perspectives, their creativity, and what America means to them during this once-in-a-generation milestone. We’re proud to showcase that with our community.”

Visitors are encouraged to participate in the People’s Choice voting during the event and help select winning entries. Community members can also support future opportunities for learners by connecting with the Education Foundation during the event.

The exhibition is free and open to the public.

By Courtney Fisher

Neighborhood schools shape more than education — they shape childhood, community, and the friendships that last a lifetime.

When I was a student at Indian Hills Elementary in the 1980s, the upper stretch of Country Club Drive wasn’t paved and lined with homes the way it is today. It was a craggy dirt road — the kind best suited for off-roading — bordered by open fields. I lived in the upper Johnny Creek neighborhood, and most mornings my friends and I climbed onto the bus together, sharing stories from the day before, laughing about playground adventures, planning whose house we’d hang out at after school, and hoping it would be a good lunch day with chocolate peanut butter bars. 

Getting to school took a little longer in those days. Without today’s straight shot down the hill, our bus hugged the tight curves of Johnny Creek Road before heading south on Bannock Highway—a route that added miles and minutes to the trip compared to the bus routes children ride today.

On warm spring days, my brother and I rode our bikes instead, gripping our handlebars as we bounced along the rutted road until it gave way to smoother pavement, where we’d coast the rest of the hill toward a building that felt as familiar as home.

Indian Hills looked different then. The school was organized in a mix of open pods and closed classrooms — a different approach to learning spaces than we see today. But what hasn’t changed in nearly 40 years is how that school made me feel.

I felt welcomed. I felt known. I belonged.

Those neighborhood friendships extended beyond the classroom. We played on the same teams, attended the same birthday parties, and sang and danced — and yes, even clogged — in the same community groups. We grew up together.

Many of those friendships still exist today. In fact, one of those neighborhood friends, Mrs. Baird, now teaches kindergarten at Indian Hills — welcoming a new generation of learners into the same community that shaped us.

Years later, my own children walked through the doors of Indian Hills.

They formed tight-knit friendships with classmates who lived just down the street. They played on the same teams. They found teachers who knew their strengths and encouraged their growth. They experienced the same sense of belonging that shaped my childhood.

Neighborhood schools are more than buildings. They are anchors of community — where children form their first friendships, build confidence, and begin to understand that they are part of something bigger than themselves.

Today, the dirt road is gone. The fields are neighborhoods. Classrooms have evolved. Technology is integrated. Instruction is more research-based than ever before. But when I walk into Indian Hills — through the same hallways I once walked — I still see what matters most: relationships.

At Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25, we believe strong foundations start with belonging.
Kindergarten is often a child’s first experience in structured learning outside the home — a milestone for children and parents alike. That first day brings excitement, but also uncertainty.

Neighborhood schools ease that transition.

When children attend school close to home, they see familiar faces at the park, at community events, and on their own street. Classmates become teammates, neighbors, and often lifelong friends. Parents build relationships with families who share the same sidewalks and routines.

Inside those classrooms, our educators focus on the whole child.

PCSD 25’s kindergarten classrooms are built on safe, welcoming environments where every learner is known and supported. Teachers use proven instructional practices to help students understand not only what they are learning, but how they learn best. Structured routines, play-based exploration, and strong early foundations in literacy and math nurture curiosity and confidence.

The results speak for themselves.

PCSD 25 ranks among the districts with the highest graduation rates among large school districts in Idaho while maintaining one of the highest teacher retention rates. Those outcomes do not begin in high school. They begin in kindergarten classrooms — where children first discover they are safe, valued, and capable.

Public neighborhood schools also reflect something essential: accountability and access. There is no tuition. No barriers. Our schools are rooted in the communities they serve and committed to supporting every learner.

As someone who once rode the bus down a dirt road to Indian Hills — and later watched my own children grow in those same hallways — I see the continuity clearly. School has changed. Our community has grown. Our tools have advanced. But the heart of our neighborhood schools remains the same.
They are places where children belong.

Online kindergarten registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open, with in-person visits to complete the process scheduled on April 2. If you are considering where your child will begin their educational journey, I encourage you to look close to home.

Strong communities build strong schools. Strong schools build confident learners.

And in PCSD 25, your neighborhood school is ready to welcome your family — just as Indian Hills once welcomed me.

You belong here.
                                      
Courtney Fisher is the Director of Communications & Community Relations for the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25, where she also serves as the Director of the SD25 Education Foundation. A native of Pocatello and graduate of PCSD 25, she is passionate about strengthening local public education. Courtney and her husband, Ethan, are the proud parents of two daughters, both now in college.
 

Experienced. Caring. Relationship-driven.

Our Kindergarten teachers specialize in easing the transition to school through structured routines and engaging learning.

Online registration opens March 20

Enroll Today