North Idaho STEM Charter Academy in Rathdrum

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	10/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Idaho Standards Achievement Tests (ISAT) data from Idaho State Department of Education.
College Readiness	10/10	The College Readiness Rating uses this high school's graduation rates, college entrance exam participation and performance, or AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment participation to determine how well schools are preparing students for success in college and beyond. The College Readiness Rating was created using the following data from the 2021 Civil Rights Data Collection: percentage of students enrolled in IB, AP or Dual Enrollment classes in grades 9-12, using 2022 SAT percent college ready data from Idaho State Department of Education, using 2025 4-year high school graduation rate data from Idaho State Department of Education, and using 2025 demographic data from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Student Growth	10/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Percentage of students meeting growth target data from Idaho State Department of Education.

Posted: May 22, 2023

Our 8-year-old son has been a student since K and he has autism as well other medical conditions. The school has been instrumental in helping our son reach levels that we ourselves did not even think were possible! I could not dream of a better experience than the one we have with North Idaho STEM!

Posted: May 19, 2023

The standard-bearer in education for the region.

Posted: March 17, 2023

My time at this school was the worst four years of my life. The faculty only locks on to a select few students and only provides resources and opportunities to them. The teachers would abuse their power, going out of their way to humiliate students. As you may have seen from other reviews here, the teachers were downright bullies at times, definitely not creating a positive environment for the students. The P.E. teacher was one of the repeat offenders here, mocking students who were dressed heavily or sweating excessively during class. The project teacher forced me to stand outside of the classroom for talking. This was the middle of one of the coldest winters in a long while and I was forced to stand OUTSIDE in 10 degree weather without a jacket for simply TALKING (this was that cold spell of January, 2014 that was referred to as a polar vortex). I will note that the social studies teacher is the one exception to this horrible teaching style. He was the only positive part of my experience at STEM and was the only teacher in the entire school that actually prepared me for college. Its pretty ironic that the only decent teachers here werent even teaching classes related to the whole STEM narrative. The punishment system, pink slips, were handed out for the most minor of offenses. This is problematic as it wouldnt take many of these to get suspended (i.e. 5-6 slips). I once got one for holding playground wood chips in my hand (I was only 11 or so at this time). While students were being reprimanded for minor offenses, the bullies remained unpunished. Ive attended public schools at various points in my life, but I can confidently say that the bullies at STEM were the most savage. The words Id been called there are far too inappropriate to repeat in this review. I asked for help with these situations from teachers on so many occasions, although I never received it and was often blamed for being bullied. Ultimately, this school operates under the guise that it is preparing students for the harsh reality of life. The funniest part is that Ive since graduated college with a successful job in a technological field, but it was no thanks to STEM. Please do your children a favor and put them in the Lakeland School District or CDA Charter instead. They will be far better off doing the dual enrollment programs from either of these options than at STEM. This school left long term negative impacts on me, therefore I cannot recommend this hellscape.

Posted: January 29, 2023

With everything I have I can tell you that all the negative reviews here are right on par w what we experienced. I know as you read this you have no idea who I am, I am a parent who had high hopes for my kids at this school and both my kids were passing everything getting As, Bs and a few Cs (which is not easy at that school) and yet I still pulled them out over the utterly ridiculous experiences we encountered with teachers and the administration as a whole. If you really care about your child you will not send them to North Idaho Charter Academy.. In the beginning you think youre so lucky because your kid has been been chosen by the charter school lottery system in place, but after about six months you will start questioning what actuality is going on there if not sooner. Their high scores are no indication that the school is actually successful w all students but rather the few who havent been pressured or bullied to leave. I wish there was a more accurate count of the total students who who have gone there to show the number who have stayed and those who left. Its not that the the work is so academically difficult, its that they play games with your kid, by not being clear on expectations for their workload or behavior. Of course it makes sense to not tolerate class disruptions with bad behavior, however it isnt about just that but rather how much of a robot can a kid be? Staying very still, no fidgeting, no getting so excited you blurt out an answer to a question, you didnt take your coat off fast enough when returning to the classroom from recess, no running in the school yard, playing mind games with homework instructions so that there is confusion on what is supposed to be turned in.Essentially being. Kids. Its crazy and these expectations are really what they focus on rather than the excitement of teaching and learning. I feel bad for the kids who are stil enrolled there now.

Posted: December 19, 2022

I will say this is a fantastic learning program (and that is it). As a parent, I feel like we are left out of the loop with communication. If we ask for communication, we are made to feel like we are on a "need to know" basis. The school feels that the children should be coming home and telling the parents everything they need to know. There is no written expectations given to the parents or a "lesson plan" of any sort. A parent must solely rely on the words of their very young children. My children are terrified to miss a day of school. If they miss a day of school it will take their A grade to a D because now they have ONE missing assignment and will take them weeks to make up. They hate doing google classroom because the communication piece is lacking there too. This school prides themselves on the whole "anti bullying" platform yet the teachers and staff are the biggest offenders of this. The only access you have to anyone at this school is email and all questions stop at the front desk. They definitely control the kids through fear and intimidation. I keep my children enrolled in this school because of the high level of learning. In short, love the learning not thrilled about staff and administration. God forbid you have a question about grades, teaching techniques or try to communicate with the teacher without them pulling in the principle to battle their battles for them. Just like the Ex Director always says... "this school is not for everyone" They do a good job of weeding out who it is NOT for. This is strictly an academic school. There are no sports or teams. If your child choses to do band, they won't even be allowed into a PE class. To have 8 hours of no physical activity except a 30 minute lunch break (to eat and play total) is hard on the kids and doesn't keep them fit, encouraged in sports/team activities or give them a break from the rigorous program. School is from 8-4 and if you want to enroll your kids in some type of "team" sport you are rushing to get their homework done, to practice and back home before it's 8pm at night. Very challenging to keep the kids engaged in sports if it makes their nights long.

Posted: October 31, 2022

We moved from a private school to STEM and suffered from couture shock! We werent allowed on campus, couldnt easily talk to the teachers and were forced to attend the parent-teacher conference with our child so the teacher could ignore us and instead shove a finger in our childs face, yelling at them in front of us.

At quarter end, a student in our class was caught with stollen homework papers in his backpack. A couple of those assignments belonged to my child. I asked if my child would receive the credit since it was clear the assignments had been turned into the box but were removed by this student. I was given a one word answer NO. Both the teacher and principal refused to discuss the situation any further.

I am not saying that all teachers are bad there. I know a few of them personally and I know they would do ANYTHING for their students. We would have stayed if we could have any of those amazing teachers.

Sadly, reality hit me after we left STEM and enrolled in a homeschool system. We went to a social event where all homeschool kids were invited and I ended up meeting many wives and children of teachers working at STEM. To me, that was all I needed to understand I made the best choice for my child.

Posted: June 9, 2022

As a student who attends STEM Charter Academy, it has a very rigorous education, but they fully prepare students for college life and education. As a junior I spent most of the year at North Idaho College, which allowed me to see how college life works. Majority of the reason I was successful at transitioning into college classes was because of the study skills and work ethic STEM taught me. STEM has made transitioning to a university after graduation less stressful by introducing that type of life during high school.

Posted: February 15, 2022

My son has been going here for the past two year kindergarten and first grade and I am so beyond blessed that we got accepted into this school. He has learned so very much its incredible. And the staff is so very nice and friendly every time we are there either drop off pick up or an event. Best chose to put out son in this school.

Posted: February 8, 2022

North Idaho Stem Charter Academy is a great school for preparing students for the future. Everyone is given the chance to succeed and given opportunities to help forge a path for the future. This school has high standards for each student which means that you will need to strive to better yourself. One criticism for the Stem would be to not hold students for hours for not meeting the dress code. I would recommend that they have spars for the students so they do not miss class.

Posted: January 18, 2022

As a parent of three students, STEM has provided an opportunity for my children to be challenged in positive environment that promotes a strong work ethic. We are so fortunate to have teachers and staff who truly care about about students while helping to develop their character. STEM is creating our future leaders through their culture of working hard and being nice.

Posted: December 15, 2021

My daughters go to this school and I want to say its been the best thing for them. Stem Charter is tough and I understand that is frustrating on some parents. They teach discipline, respect and structure along with a tough curriculum. I believe all the negative reviews are people trying to compare it to regular public school. This is a step above and if you're wanting to come here then you need to learn to accept that your kid may struggle until they catch up. They are no B.S. The students coming out have massive scholarships. I advise parents to look up the schools ranking and see what type of students they produce. I love this school and love the teachers.