| Metric | Meridian Joint School District 2 | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 39,496 | 3,544 | Much larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 61 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $9,614/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 45% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian Joint School District 2 (this district) | 10/10 | 90th | 39,496 |
| Boise City Independent School District 1 | 8/10 | 76th | 22,809 |
| Vallivue School District 139 | 7/10 | 61st | 9,892 |
| Kuna Joint School District 3 | 3/10 | 27th | 5,825 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 108 rated districts in ID → → 9/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
- VICTORY MIDDLE SCHOOL — 0.7 mi · Grades 6–8 · 1,075 students
- MARY MCPHERSON ELEMENTARY — 1.3 mi · Grades PK–5 · 494 students
- IDAHO FINE ARTS ACADEMY — 1.8 mi · Grades 6–12 · 260 students
- PEREGRINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — 1.9 mi · Grades PK–5 · 483 students
- MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL — 1.9 mi · Grades 9–12 · 2,463 students
- RENAISSANCE HIGH SCHOOL — 1.9 mi · Grades 9–12 · 662 students
- VIRTUAL SCHOOL HOUSE — 1.9 mi · Grades PK–12 · 516 students
- SIENA ELEMENTARY — 2.1 mi · Grades PK–5 · 565 students
About Meridian Joint School District 2
Families in zip code 83642 (Meridian, Idaho) are assigned to Meridian Joint School District 2 for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Funding and Resources
Meridian Joint School District 2 spent $9,614 per pupil in FY2024, below the Idaho state average of $11,060 and well below the national average of $17,619 (US Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances). Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 61 schools serving grades Pre-K–12th, Meridian Joint School District 2 qualifies as a very large district serving students from Pre-K–12th. The district enrolls approximately 39,496 students in total. Very large districts are complex systems with significant variation in school quality across attendance zones. They typically offer extensive programs — magnet schools, specialized high schools, dual-language tracks, advanced coursework — but navigating these options requires active engagement with the district.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
With a rating of 10/10 (top-tier), Meridian Joint School District 2 ranks among Idaho’s top-tier-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Idaho is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Meridian Joint School District 2 ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Idaho on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 83642 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 83642
Children in zip code 83642 are assigned to Meridian Joint School District 2 for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 83642, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Meridian Joint School District 2 at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Idaho districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Meridian
For families considering a purchase in the Meridian area, district assignment matters financially. Because Meridian Joint School District 2 serves zip code 83642, homes in and around zip code 83642 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Idaho, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Meridian Joint School District 2 programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 83642.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Meridian Joint School District 2 before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 83642 data.