For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 2,566 students in Gem County, ID (there are 3 private schools, serving 197 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Gem County, ID are educated in public schools (compared to the ID state average of 94%).
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 28% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Gem County (2026)
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 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
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 | 680 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 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 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
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 | 387 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
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 | 539 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
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 | 142 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: n/an/a
400 East Pine Street
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-4961
Emmett, ID 83617
(208) 365-4961
Gr: PK-5 | 294 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
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
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?
93% of all K-12 students in Gem County are educated in public schools (compared to the ID state average of 94%).
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 28% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.