Payette High School

Payette School District does a wonderful job of preparing students for the future. I have had 5 children graduate from Payette School District. My oldest two children scored 34 and 36 on their ACT exams and then went on to graduate in the top 5% of their class at Boise State University. One of my children had a disability called Dyspraxia, which can make success in school very difficult. All of her teachers worked with her academically and socially to help her develop into a successful graduate. My children did not experience the bullying and pressure to conform that is so prevalent in other schools. In the middle school there are over 125 student members of Idaho Drug Free Youth, one of the largest in Idaho.
—Submitted by a parent

Not sure why Payette is only rated 2. As far as High Schools go, Payette is by far the best school in the valley. All the teachers do a very good job with the students. Sports is not as important as a good education, although they do have a good program. My child has been very fortunate to have the chance to attend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a Senior at PHS, and I wouldn't want to graduate from anywhere else. I love the other students and most of the teachers here. We do so much stuff that people outside of the school do not know about. We fund-raise to help light the cross, have set up recycling bins all around the school, and do countless Christmas things for those less fortunate. We also have currently been trying to send a family to Kentucky to be with their daughter who has recently been found to have a brain tumor. These are only a few of the things being done. Payette seems to have a bad reputation among the other schools, but I feel that we are far past whatever they are believing. I know how our school really is and I love it.
—Submitted by a student

I'm real pleased with the results that my children have achieved at Payette High School. Discipline is very challenging in this day and age, and the they teachers/administration finds a nice balance, to create a good learning atmosphere. I've had three kids graduate and two still in High School. Those that have graduated have done well in college and establishing themselves in a career. They were well prepared for the future.
—Submitted by a parent

I currently am a Junior at Payette High School, and I absolutely love it. We have challenging classes if people wish to take them. Our administrators always do the right thing, not just what looks the best. Most of the teachers have a deep passion for us to learn the materials. We don't really have cliques like everywhere else. Most everyone just get along. We care about sports and extra curricular activities, but they make sure your education comes first. It enforces the rules and is a safe place, yet is a relaxed school. Yes, there are other opinions and problems like anywhere else, but overall you can make an amazing experience out of this place. =]
—Submitted by a student

mrs mcneal and mr lunsford were by far the best teachers i had! and mrs clevenger... best counsler ever....
—Submitted by a student

Teachers don't care, and tell parents what they think they want to hear. They are enablers, and don't do the students any good. The superintendent is no better than the teachers and will not hold the teachers accountable for their actions nor inactions.
—Submitted by a parent

I believe that Payette High School has a lot to offer and that the community is lucky to have the teachers that they do. For example, Mrs. Overbay always makes herself available to students who need extra help and she's 100% there when they need a trusting individual to confide in. She is just one of the teachers who doesn't quit or give up on a student just because they are a trouble-maker, a poor student, or misunderstood in some other fashion. She reaches out to everyone, especially the hard-to-reach teenagers. I highly reccommend Payette High School because it has teachers just like Mrs. Overbay.

The curicalum is years behind.The teaching methods lack effort,and the cafetaria is too small.
—Submitted by a student

As in every school (yes including Fruitland) there are good and bad teachers, faculty, students, parents and every other aspect of school life. I have found as a parent of two high schoolers that over all Payette is a great place for my children to learn. They both have the opportunies they need to succeed.
—Submitted by a parent

I do not think that Payette is all it should be there are few good teachers at this school. i attenend all four years there and one thing i can tell you it has a horrible teen pregnancy rate. i can say that because i was one of them. there needs to be better classes and more help with the kids that need it, not just the kids who they know will succeed. and they need to remember that education comes over sports.
—Submitted by a former student

For a small town highschool, PHS provides excellent education. I found that many of the teachers in this school had more passion for teaching than my professors in college. PHS rewards its students for outstanding academic achievement, provides great student counseling, supports its athletes, and stands behind the student organizations. I found that teachers believed in hands on learning and used realistic models and field trips to help generate a deep understanding of subject matter. I attended 4 highschools before I graduated from Payette, and found that I appreciated this atmosphere the most. I hope this aids in the choice of a school for your children!
—Submitted by a former student

I am currently a sophmore at PHS. the teachers are great and so is the other staff. PHS has a strict tardy and absence policy. all in all it is a great school.
—Submitted by Tony, a student