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,

Step inside any of our 59 schools and you will see a relentless commitment to strong instructional practices—and it’s driving real results for students. Seven of the top ten schools in Idaho for math achievement are in West Ada. And while that’s something to celebrate, we’re not stopping there.

This school year, we’ve made a focused investment in strengthening math instruction across every classroom by ensuring our hundreds of math teachers are trained in high-impact, research-based practices. This year, we partnered with internationally recognized educator and author Dr. Michael McDowell, who worked directly with our teachers alongside our Chief Academic Officer of Teaching and Learning, Rhonda McDonough. Together, they are leading a systemwide effort where teachers feel supported and students are thriving.

As Dr. McDowell shared, “This is really unique among school districts around the world… ensuring every student receives high-quality instruction through small, doable practices for every teacher… that is truly remarkable.”

If you’d like to learn more about this work, I encourage you to listen to this week’s West Ada Podcast featuring Dr. McDowell and Rhonda McDonough. You can find that episode 🔗here.

One of my favorite events of the year took place this past weekend—VIP Prom. This dance gives students with special needs the opportunity to experience prom in an environment designed just for them. Watching our student council lead the effort and create such a joyful, welcoming celebration is truly something special. It’s more than an event—it’s a night full of spirit, connection, and unforgettable moments.

A recent visit to Idaho Fine Arts Academy also highlighted the power of school culture. The most moving part of my conversation with the student council was hearing how strong academic outcomes are rooted in students pursuing what they are most passionate about—the arts.

Our community continues to show incredible support for West Ada. This year’s Spring Raffle raised over $361,000, bringing our yearly total to nearly $1.2 million for activities and athletics. A special thanks to Activities Director, Jason Warr for his vision behind this incredible fundraiser

Thank you for helping make a direct impact on students across West Ada!

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

West Ada School District is excited to announce a new, all-in-one platform for activities and athletics beginning next school year.

Introducing Rank One—a streamlined system that will give families and students one convenient place to access everything they need, including registration, schedules, and required forms.

This transition is designed to simplify the experience. Instead of searching multiple platforms, Rank One will serve as your single source for all activity and athletic information. Rank One will officially replace Aktivate as our registration system.

More details—including how to get started—will be shared next month as we prepare for the full launch in June.

Stay tuned—we’re excited to bring you a simpler, more connected experience for activities and athletics!

Help support Strengthening Families Month to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect at the Strong Families, Safe Kids Fair! This FREE community fair hosted at the West Boise YMCA includes a family Fun Run/Walk, Activities, Resources, Community Connections and Food Trucks! Come enjoy your Friday night with the community!

All current middle school & high school West Ada students can register for summer school starting Monday April 13th. The registration process is outlined on the 🔗summer school page on the website.

This video was released one year ago today.

A few details may be a little dated—for example, Angela Edde is now the outstanding principal at Renaissance High School.

But what hasn’t changed is the incredible impact of VIP Prom.

What began as a great idea at Mountain View High School has grown into a cherished tradition across West Ada—and now, districts throughout the Treasure Valley are joining in to celebrate students with special needs.

If you’ve never seen what this event looks like behind the scenes… take a look.

What’s driving this success? Outstanding teachers and a deep commitment to professional learning. 🍎📚

In this episode, we’re joined by Rhonda McDonough, Chief Academic Officer of Teaching and Learning, and Dr. Michael McDowell—an international author and coach 🌍—as they discuss West Ada’s relentless pursuit of excellence, instructional practices, and how educators and leaders are improving student achievement across the district.

In our Student Pulse segment (that begins at 26:41), meet Taya and Alec, Co-ASB Presidents at Meridian High School. 🎓💬 Amid a year of change, they share how students and staff are working together to strengthen school culture, student leadership, and community engagement.

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