School Community

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of West Ada School District is to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s challenges.

2025-26 School Year Theme: 75 Years of Learning, Growing and Leading.

Dear West Ada Families,

West Ada delivers results for students. The data proves it and that’s worth celebrating.

Our Chief Academic Officer of Teaching and Learning, Rhonda McDonough, presented a mid-year academic update to the Board of Trustees and our community on Monday. The full presentation is linked below in this newsletter, but here are a few highlights that matter deeply to families.

In January, overall 80% of our kindergarten through third-grade students tested proficient in literacy – a 5% increase since October. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by chance. It happens because of a systematic approach to instruction and teachers who continually refine and strengthen their practice for the benefit of every child.

In math, 95% of teachers in grades 3–12 (585 educators) are now trained in explicit instruction through direct modeling. This consistent, research-based approach to math ensures we are not just teaching but measuring impact and adjusting to meet student needs.

Our graduation rates also tell a powerful story: 89% districtwide, with Meridian High School leading at an exceptional 95%. Those numbers represent thousands of students prepared for both college and career pathways.

Student leadership is also thriving. During a recent visit with Renaissance High School’s student council, I was reminded of the dedication of our students. Because Renaissance students carry rigorous academic schedules, their student council operates as a club that meets during lunch or after school. Many of these students will graduate with associate degrees before receiving their high school diplomas—a remarkable achievement and something our community should celebrate.

West Ada continues to develop strong leaders. Darcy Beck, currently the Special Education Administrator, will step into the Director role this spring as Ramona Lee retires, ensuring continuity of services for our most vulnerable students. We also congratulate Marcus Myers, Chief Academic Officer of Student Success, on his selection as the new Superintendent in Kuna—another example of West Ada leadership making an impact beyond our district.

To round out the celebrations, the girl’s Eagle High School basketball team captured the state championship—an outstanding accomplishment that reflects excellence both on and off the court.

These highlights reflect a community that values education, supports its schools, and partners with us to help students succeed. Thank you for your continued trust and engagement in the work we do together for West Ada students.

With gratitude,
Dr. Derek Bub
Superintendent
West Ada School District

This is it — the final day is tomorrow to help us reach our $25,000 goal and help end school lunch debt! We’re currently at $14,370, and we’re so close! Here’s where things stand:

• Top 4 Elementary Schools
  • Spalding - $2,222
  • Chief Jo - $1,878
  • Mary McPherson - $418
  • Joplin Elementary- $357

Is your school close to earning a spot in the Golden Fourk Showdown on March 12th?

• Top 4 Middle Schools
  • Sawtooth - $2,604
  • Victory - $290
  • Lowell Scott - $260
  • Lake Hazel - $52
• Top 4 High Schools
  • Mountain View - $1,406
  • Owyhee - $1,296
  • Centennial - $707
  • Rocky - $692

There’s still time to make a difference! Please consider contributing today. Every dollar counts and could help your school climb the leaderboard and bring home the gold.

The West Ada College & Career Fair is NEXT Wednesday, March 4, 2026. It will be hosted at Mountain View High School this year and opens to the public at 9:00am.

Students and community members alike are invited to attend and connect with representatives from colleges, universities, and local businesses. Students that attend are able to clear four tardies at their school + will receive raffle tickets to be entered into a drawing – thank you to our participating organizations for their donations!

Food Trucks will be available at the fair for breakfast and lunch. All other details, including student/family transportation options, the event schedule, and more, can be found 🔗here.

The entire WASD Community is invited to review two elementary music resources, provide feedback, and ultimately help us in selecting the best resources for our K-5 students.

All information, including where to find the resources and how to view them, and the feedback survey, are linked within the PDF below.

Please nose that the linked feedback form will not accept responses until the feedback window officially opens on March 2, 2026.

We’re on a quest to find the best school breakfast, and we want you to be part of it! Join us in your school cafeterias NEXT week, March 2–6, to sample new, homemade breakfast recipes.

From fun favorites like green eggs and ham to strawberry overnight oats and freshly baked maple French toast, these delicious breakfasts are sure to be a hit with students and the community alike.

*click to expand menus

What’s happening academically in West Ada is truly remarkable. Last spring, the district achieved an overall graduation rate of 89% — a strong reflection of the hard work and commitment taking place across our schools. Even more impressive was Meridian High School’s outstanding 95% graduation rate, a testament to the dedication of its students, staff, and families.

So what’s driving these results? In large part, it’s the intentional use of data to inform instruction, strengthen supports, and improve student outcomes.

We invite you to watch the presentation from Chief Academic Officer of Teaching and Learning, Rhonda McDonough. At Monday night’s Board meeting, she outlined how West Ada is leveraging data and innovation to raise achievement and help set the educational standard across the state.

The Big Sky Conference is excited to offer discounted tickets to the 2026 Big Sky Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Hoops 4 Hunger campaign!

Act now and buy General Admission tickets for just $18, with $3 going to Hoops 4 Hunger!

The tournament features nine men’s games and nine women’s games played on March 7-11, with each champion going on to play in the NCAA Basketball Tournament later in March. Universities participating include: Eastern Washington, Idaho, Idaho State, Montana, Montana State, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Portland State, Sacramento State, and Weber State.

Follow 🔗this link for discounted tickets.

With the opening of Independence Elementary School in the 2026–2027 school year, West Ada School District is proactively adjusting attendance boundaries to balance enrollment and support continued student growth.

In this episode, we break down what the approved boundary changes mean for families and how the process unfolded.

We’re joined by Miranda Carson, Director of Transportation and Planning, and Dr. David Reinhart, Chief Operating Officer, who share insight into the data, guiding principles, and community feedback that shaped the final plan. Beginning in September, a parent-and-patron-led planning committee worked alongside district leaders to develop and refine a thoughtful proposal designed to minimize disruption while planning for the future.

View the new boundary maps and additional information here: https://www.westada.org/article/2546186

Plus, don’t miss our Student Pulse segment! Idaho Fine Arts Academy (IFAA) student leaders Alexa B. and Rosalia M. share their perspective on one of West Ada’s dynamic schools of choice. That conversation begins at 19:23.

Want to stay current on everything going on in West Ada and our fantastic communities? Visit our Community Bulletin board for information about clubs, camps, clinics, and more!

🗓️WASD Community Bulletin Board 🖱️

If you run into technology issues, the West Ada Service Desk is here to help! Parents and students have two easy ways to get support:

• Online Support Request: CLICK HERE

  to visit the Parent/Student portal and report your issue.

• Call the Service Desk: Reach our team by phone at 208-350-5300, Monday–Friday, 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Requesting support online is the fastest way to connect with the right technician, but either option will get you the help you need.

This West Ada School District news update is brought to you by the District's communication team. For access to previous updates, please visit: https://www.westada.org/page/west-ada-weekly-newsletter