For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 2,566 students in Gem County, ID (there are , serving 144 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Gem County, ID are educated in public schools (compared to the ID state average of 93%).
The top ranked public schools in Gem County, ID are Sweet Montour Elementary School, Emmett High School and Kenneth J Carberry Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Gem County, ID public schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Idaho public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 55% statewide average). Schools in Gem County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Idaho public schools.
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Idaho public school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Gem County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sweet Montour Elementary School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6600 Sweet-ola Highway
Sweet, ID 83670
(208) 584-3378
Sweet, ID 83670
(208) 584-3378
Gr: K-5 | 44 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #22.
Emmett High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
721 West 12th Street
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-6323
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-6323
Gr: 9-12 | 737 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #33.
Kenneth J Carberry Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1950 East 12th Street
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-0839
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-0839
Gr: K-5 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #44.
Shadow Butte Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3900 West Idaho Boulevard
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-0877
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-0877
Gr: K-5 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #55.
Ola Elementary School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
11475 Ola School Road
Ola, ID 83657
(208) 584-3589
Ola, ID 83657
(208) 584-3589
Gr: K-6 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #66.
Emmett Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
301 East 4th Street
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-2921
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-2921
Gr: 6-8 | 546 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #77.
Black Canyon Jr/sr High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
400 South Pine Street Suite #2
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-5552
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-5552
Gr: 6-12 | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: n/an/a
400 South Pine Suite #1
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-4961
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-4961
Gr: PK-4 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: n/an/a
Payette River Technical Academy
Vocational School
Charter School
Charter School
721 West 12th Street
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-6321
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-6321
Gr: 6-12 | 2 students
Gem County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1950 E 12th St
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-0839
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-0839
Gr: 4-6 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Northwest Children's Home (Closed 2008)
Special Education School
601 East Third St
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-5971
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-5971
Gr: K-12 | 3 students
The Patriot Center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
330 West Main Street
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-3642
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-3642
Gr: 6-12 | 29 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Patriot Juvenile Detention Center (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
315 S Johns Avenue
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-5552
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-5552
Gr: 1-12 | 30 students Minority enrollment: 17%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Gem County, ID?
The top ranked public schools in Gem County, ID include Sweet Montour Elementary School, Emmett High School and Kenneth J Carberry Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Gem County?
9 public schools are located in Gem County.
What percentage of students in Gem County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Gem County are educated in public schools (compared to the ID state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Gem County?
Gem County public schools minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Idaho public schools average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles

Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.

When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?

When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.