The top reported proficiency rate is 71% in English language arts. The lowest is 57% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Franklin Middle School
Franklin Middle School sits on Pocatello's east side, serving grades six through eight as part of Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25. It is a regular public school, and its enrollment is moderately sized for a middle school in this region of southeastern Idaho. The student body is predominantly white, with a Hispanic population representing the next largest group. A modest portion of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on students with individualized education programs and English learners was not reported, so those subgroup pictures are incomplete here.
On the most recent Idaho Standards Achievement Tests, Franklin's results paint a generally strong academic profile, particularly in English language arts. Proficiency in ELA rises steadily from sixth grade through eighth, reaching a level where most students meet or exceed the standard by their final year at the school. Math results are solid, with a majority of students reaching proficiency across all three grade levels, holding fairly steady from sixth through eighth. Eighth-grade science proficiency also sits at a level where most students are proficient. Average scale scores and participation rates were not available in the data provided, so a deeper look at student growth and engagement would require going directly to the district. Trend data across multiple years was present but appeared to contain reporting irregularities, so rather than relay an unreliable figure, it is best to say that a clear multi-year trend could not be established from what was available.
Because Franklin serves only middle school grades, there is no graduation rate to report. That is standard for a school covering grades six through eight. Information on Title I status, course access, staffing ratios, discipline, and attendance was not provided in the available data, which limits the picture of day-to-day school climate and programmatic offerings. A parent interested in those dimensions would want to ask the school directly.
Pocatello itself is the county seat of Bannock County and the principal city of the Pocatello metropolitan area. Publicly reported sources describe a community anchored by Idaho State University, with additional employment in manufacturing, healthcare, government, and financial services. The city developed historically as a railroad junction and trade center, sometimes called the "Gate City," and later expanded through defense-related industry and a push into high technology during the 1990s. The Portneuf River runs along the city's western side, and a greenway trail system of more than fifteen built miles, with additional miles planned, follows the river through town. Cultural institutions include the Idaho Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Clean, and the Bannock County Historical Complex. The FBI is building a data center in the city, which is publicly reported as part of a consolidation initiative. The district is also one of the area's major employers.
At the district level, Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25 has recently adjusted elementary school attendance areas to balance enrollment and capacity, which is most relevant to families with younger children. The district has also made a public commitment to Visible Learning, which shifts instructional focus toward how students learn rather than only what they learn, and to Restorative Practices, which the district uses to build relationships and community. These approaches are district-wide and would shape the classroom environment at Franklin.
The housing market around Franklin is relatively affordable compared with state and national benchmarks. Home values sit below the Idaho state figure and slightly below the national figure, and rents are modest. Rent relative to income is quite manageable for the area, and the gap between monthly rent and an estimated mortgage payment is wide, reflecting the current mortgage rate environment. Home values have shown only slight year-over-year change. For families considering buying versus renting near the school, the cost structure favors renters at present, though individual circumstances will vary.
Franklin Middle School presents as an academically solid option within District 25, with particular strength in English language arts and steady, if more moderate, math performance. The Pocatello community offers a university-town character with a diversified employment base and outdoor access along the Portneuf Greenway. Gaps in the available data, particularly around special populations, staffing, discipline, and program offerings, mean a complete picture of the school's climate and support structures would benefit from direct conversation with school leadership.
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