As the winter chill swept across the nation in December 2025, two stories of academic achievement and community commitment shone brightly—one from the heart of Idaho Falls, where local high schools soared in national rankings, and another from Hancock County, Indiana, where two seniors received life-changing scholarships on an unforgettable snow day. Together, these stories offer a compelling glimpse into the evolving landscape of American education, where data-driven excellence and selfless service are celebrated in equal measure.
According to U.S. News and World Report, Idaho Falls High School clinched the top spot in the Idaho Falls area, with Compass Academy following closely behind. The rankings, released on December 18, 2025, were based on a comprehensive analysis of test scores from the Idaho Standards Achievement Test between 2021 and 2024, as well as Advanced Placement (AP) exam data and the proportion of seniors participating in AP exams. These metrics, while focused on academic rigor, also reflect broader trends in student engagement and institutional support.
Graduation rates provided a telling snapshot of each school's performance. Idaho Falls High School reported an 84% graduation rate in 2024, outpacing both the state’s targeted rate of 81.4% and the state average of 82.3%, as documented by the Idaho Department of Education. Compass Academy, meanwhile, boasted a remarkable 95% graduation rate in the U.S. News report, with a four-year rate of 87.8% and a five-year rate of 96.3% according to the Idaho Report Card. The five-year rate, which accounts for students needing extra time to graduate, underscores the schools’ commitment to supporting diverse learners.
Yet, these achievements did not come without challenges. District 91’s Superintendent Karla LaOrange noted that between 2019 and 2023, the district’s five-year graduation rates slid from 91% to 77.6%. In response, the district implemented a bold intervention in 2024: a four-day school week, reserving the fifth day for targeted support. This model, piloted at Emerson Alternative High School, halved the number of students not graduating. "For the ones that need help (the four-day week gives them the opportunity) that they can come to class the next day and understand what’s going on," LaOrange explained to East Idaho News. For advanced students, she added, the schedule allowed for deeper exploration and more individualized feedback.
Another strategic move was the creation of a Dean of Students role at the high schools. Idaho Falls High School Principal Dallen Parker described the dean’s position as a critical intervention step, helping students who were falling behind to get back on track. This initiative, launched the previous year, aimed to lift both graduation and attendance rates.
Academic proficiency scores painted a nuanced picture. At Idaho Falls High School, U.S. News reported 39% proficiency in math, 74% in reading, and 30% in science. The Idaho Report Card, meanwhile, listed the school at 28.4% in math, 66% in English language arts (ELA), and 33.4% in science. The ELA score notably surpassed Idaho’s target of 53.6%. Parker attributed these gains to the intervention model and the dedication of teachers, who worked closely with students to master key concepts.
Compass Academy’s numbers, while slightly lower in some areas, reflected a distinct educational approach. The school registered 22% proficiency in math, 69% in reading, and 30% in science per U.S. News, with state data showing about 21% in math, 62.5% in ELA, and 38% in science. Principal Armstrong highlighted the school’s project-based learning curriculum, which integrates core concepts into hands-on projects—such as students making paint pigment in art and chemistry classes. "Not only that, getting the content and they’re interested in it and engaged, they’re also building a lot of those soft skills," Armstrong said. The school has been analyzing courses to address the drop in math proficiency from 37% the previous year, seeking continuous improvement.
Advanced Placement and college credit opportunities further distinguished both schools. At Idaho Falls High School, 37% of seniors took an AP exam, with 23% scoring a three or higher. Parker reported that the school’s AP exam pass rate stood at an impressive 88%, a figure that has remained steady in the 80s for five years. "That’s a good trend, and so we’re excited to see what it continues to do going forward," Parker remarked. Compass Academy’s AP pass rate was 81% over the past year, with two courses achieving a perfect 100% pass rate. Although the U.S. News report showed 32% of Compass seniors took an AP exam and 18% passed, Armstrong emphasized that the College Board’s reports are the definitive source for these figures.
In a forward-looking move, Idaho Falls High School offered 21 dual-credit classes in 2025, enabling students to earn up to 73 college credits and, for the first time, pursue an associate’s degree alongside their high school diploma. "I’m super proud about that, because that’s a cool opportunity for kids that that is, from an academic standpoint, is really exciting," Parker said.
While Idaho students were celebrating academic milestones, two high school seniors in Hancock County, Indiana, experienced a different kind of triumph. On December 13, 2025, as frigid temperatures and icy roads closed schools, Heidi Bloomer of New Palestine High School and Tate Cougill of Mt. Vernon High School received calls informing them they had won the prestigious Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, covering full four-year college tuition. The news, delivered while both were doing homework, left them stunned and overjoyed.
Heidi, who completed an astonishing 983 hours of community service in one year, has coached the Hancock County Special Olympics swim team since 2022, volunteered at senior living centers, children’s theater workshops, and participated in numerous school events. She is active in varsity cross country, track, and swim teams, and plans to study exercise science and occupational therapy. Reflecting on her experiences, Heidi said, "It has really helped me kind of find out where I want to go with my career and my passion for it. I absolutely love (it)."
Tate, meanwhile, has made a mark by founding a film club at his school, volunteering with the Heartland International Film Festival, and contributing over 100 hours of community service, including youth tennis camps and mental health initiatives. He plans to pursue documentary filmmaking and economics in college, aiming to combine creative and practical skills to advocate for societal change. "The ability to use both creative and practical skills in the world would be a dream," he shared.
The scholarship selection process, overseen by the Community Foundation of Hancock County, involved reviewing 47 applications from students across four public high schools. Both Heidi and Tate were celebrated at a reception on December 16, 2025, at the Thrive Center in Greenfield, where their dedication to community service and leadership was lauded.
As these stories from Idaho and Indiana illustrate, academic achievement and community engagement remain at the heart of American education. Whether through innovative school models, expanded college credit opportunities, or recognition of service-minded students, these efforts are shaping a new generation of learners and leaders—ready to make their mark on the world, no matter the weather.