Investing in Tomorrow: Boise Students Explore Careers, Colleges, and Community Pathways
On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the Boise School District held its first-ever Districtwide Future Options Fair, connecting seniors in the Class of 2026 with more than 65 regional employers, colleges, training programs, and industry representatives.
Throughout the day, students from Boise, Borah, Capital, and Timberline High Schools, along with seniors from Frank Church High School, Boise Online Secondary School, and the Ascent program, attended the fair at the District Training Center. Students explored a wide range of career pathways, gaining firsthand insight into opportunities across the Treasure Valley in fields such as healthcare, education, construction, aviation, technology, military service, public safety, and more.
Events like this matter not only for our students, but for our entire community. When students are prepared to take their next steps after graduation — whether into higher education, technical training, or the workforce — they strengthen the future of Boise as the next generation of leaders, workers, and neighbors.
The Future Options Fair reflected the District’s Strategic Plan to prepare students for college, career, and citizenship by connecting them with real-world professionals who are passionate about their work.
Watch the following highlight video to learn more:
Discover What’s Possible: A Look at Student Life in Boise Schools
Boise School District students have access to an incredible variety of opportunities designed to inspire, challenge, and prepare them for the future. From athletics and performing arts to career-technical programs, outdoor learning, STEM projects, leadership activities, and community service, our students are discovering their passions and developing real-world skills.
These experiences don’t just enrich the lives of our students — they strengthen our entire community. When students are engaged, confident, and prepared, they grow into tomorrow’s leaders, workers, and neighbors who will help shape Boise’s future.
🎥 Highlight Reel: Take a look in the following brief video at some of the many activities available to our students and see firsthand how learning extends well beyond the classroom:
Love Heals Clinic & Dennis Technical Education Center: Students Serving the Community, Community Inspiring Students
When education and community come together, everyone benefits. The Dennis Technical Education Center (DTEC) recently partnered with Boise State University’s Love Heals Free Clinic to bring free dental, vision, and medical care to local families—while also giving DTEC students an unparalleled learning experience.
Students from DTEC’s Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, and Certified Nursing Assisting programs stepped into real-world roles where their skills made a direct difference. They:
Ensured patient safety through sterilization and infection control
Guided families to different services with compassion and care
Served as interpreters, helping break down language barriers
This isn’t just about training future health professionals. It’s about neighbors helping neighbors, students learning the power of service, and our community seeing firsthand the value of investing in young people’s education.
Now in its second year, this partnership continues to thrive—reminding us that when students are given opportunities to learn through service, our entire community grows healthier, stronger, and more connected.
💙 DTEC students partnered with Boise State’s Love Heals Free Clinic at ExtraMile Arena to provide free care for local families—while gaining hands-on experience that strengthens both their skills and our community.
DTEC Dental Assisting students suit up with masks and gloves as they prepare equipment—gaining real-world experience while supporting patients at the Love Heals Free Clinic.
Boise School District Leads Idaho with 21 National Merit Semifinalists
Boise School District is proud to announce that 21 of our students have been named National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists for 2026 — the most of any school district in Idaho! This represents 24% of Idaho’s total 87 semifinalists, even though our students make up only about 7% of Idaho’s public school enrollment.
Superintendent Lisa Roberts praised the accomplishment:
“These results highlight the excellence of our students and the dedication of our teachers, families, and community who support them. We are incredibly proud of these semifinalists and what they represent for the future of education in our state.”
Seven’s Hero: Stephanie Donaldson Brings BroncoBOLD to Boise Schools
September is National Suicide Prevention Month—a time to remember, support, and spread hope. Boise State University’s BroncoBOLD initiative, led by Stephanie Donaldson, was recently recognized by KTVB’s Seven’s Hero for its impact on students of all ages.
What began as mental health programming for Boise State athletes now includes the BroncoBOLD High School Ambassador Program, with 16 schools—including Boise School District high schools—spreading messages of awareness and hope. Students joined in Chalk the Walk and took part in mental health awareness efforts at a Boise State football game, where players and staff wore green ribbons and helmet stickers for suicide prevention.
“To hear young people talk about suicide prevention and mental health is deeply moving,” Donaldson said. “There is help and there is hope.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 9-8-8 or the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline at 208-398-4357.
Stephanie Donaldson, Assistant Athletic Director at Boise State and leader of BroncoBOLD, and the BroncoBOLD High School Ambassador Program, is recognized as a Seven’s Hero for championing student mental health.
In the Boise School District, we are committed to creating safe, supportive learning environments where every student feels seen, valued, and connected. By working together with families, staff, and our community, we can break the stigma, open conversations, and provide the resources students need to thrive.
✨ Every voice matters. Every connection counts. Together, we can make a difference. ✨
National Recognition for Boise Educator: K. Kirkendall Named Teacher of the Year
Boise School District is proud to announce that K. Kirkendall, Cybersecurity and Networking Instructor at the Dennis Technical Education Center, has been named the 2025 Teacher of the Year by the Career and Technical Education Consortium of States (CTECS) Community of Practice.
This honor is particularly historic — it is the first time in the organization’s more than 50-year history that such a national award has been presented. Mr. Kirkendall was recognized for his exceptional contributions to cybersecurity and networking programs, which have set a standard for excellence not just in Boise, but across the nation. His leadership and innovative teaching have equipped students with the critical skills needed to thrive in one of the world’s fastest-growing and most vital industries.
Why does this matter to our community? Cybersecurity impacts everyone. From protecting local businesses and government systems to safeguarding families’ personal data, well-trained cybersecurity professionals are essential to the quality of life and safety of our community. By preparing students for these careers, Mr. Kirkendall is not only opening doors for their future success, but also helping to ensure the security and resilience of the communities they will serve.
The Boise School District congratulates Mr. Kirkendall on this prestigious recognition and thanks him for his outstanding service to students, our schools, and our community.
Timberline High School Receives $1,000 from Idaho Lottery
Timberline High School has received a $1,000 check from the Idaho Lottery through its Love Your School program. The award was made possible by Timberline parent Chris Ward, who entered the school into the drawing.
In a presentation at the school, Principal Chad Wright accepted the check from Tristan Thompson, Idaho Lottery Community Ambassador (pictured).
“This is a great example of how parents and community partners work together to benefit our students,” said Principal Wright. “We’re grateful for the support.”
The Love Your School program allows parents and community members to enter their favorite schools for a chance to win cash donations, which support learning opportunities for students.
Boise School Board Seeks Applicants for Open Board Seat
At their regularly scheduled September Board meeting, the Boise School District Board of Trustees formally accepted the resignation of Trustee Maria Greeley, as well as established the timeline to fill the vacancy on the Board.
Trustee Greeley had stated her intention to resign in August, following the announcement that her husband was transferring to Singapore for work. The process to fill the vacancy created by Trustee Greeley’s resignation will follow a modified process under Regulation 1131(R) - Filling Vacancies on the Board of Trustees.
Trustee Appointment Timeline
Sept 9, 2025 - September 26, 2025 (until noon): The candidate application process is open, and applications are available on the district website or in the Clerk of the Board's office at 8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise, ID. Applications may be emailed to sharon.snider@boiseschools.org or delivered in person to the Boise School District Service Center, 8169 W. Victory Road, Boise, Idaho, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The application form must be complete.
September 26, 2025: Candidate applications are due by noon. They must be returned and signed by the applicant no later than noon on Friday, September 26, 2025. The form must be complete. All Candidate Applications received will be posted on the Boise School District website.
October 2, 2025: Special Board meeting at 3:30 PM in the Board Room of the District Services Center, 8169 W. Victory Road, Boise, Idaho, to consider applicants and consider an immediate appointment.
October 8, 2025: Special Board Meeting in the Board Room of the District Services Center, 8169 W. Victory Road, Boise, Idaho, to interview trustee candidate finalists and select a new Trustee.
October 13, 2025: The new Trustee will be officially sworn in at the Regular Board Meeting, which will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Services Center, 8169 W. Victory Rd.
The Board also voted to name Trustee Debbie Donovan as Vice President of the Board to fill the position held by Trustee Greeley.
Boise School District’s Community Education program is back this fall with hundreds of affordable, high-quality classes for all ages. Whether you’re looking to spark a new hobby, boost your career, stay active, or connect with neighbors—there’s something here for everyone.
From arts & crafts, cooking, and fitness to career development, languages, and technology, these classes help strengthen not just individual skills but also the fabric of our community. When we learn together, we grow together. 💙
🍂 Fall session runs September 8 – October 23, 2025
📍 Classes offered at Riverglen, Timberline, West, offsite venues, and online
🎬 You’re Invited! Community Film Screening: Feel It All
Boise School District families — join us for a powerful evening of connection, hope, and conversation.
📅 When: Thursday, September 25, 2025
🕕 Doors & Community Partners at 6:00 PM • Film begins at 7:00 PM📍 Where: Egyptian Theatre, 700 W Main St., Boise, ID
🎟️ Tickets: $15 adults / $10 students (Purchase here)
💵 If cost is a barrier, scholarship tickets are available. (Learn more here)
🌟 Special Guest: Drew Petersen
Professional skier and ultra-runner Drew Petersen will share his story of resilience and recovery through his latest film, Feel It All. Drew’s keynote, “My Story is the Story of Our Community,” explores how lessons from activities in the mountains can shift the culture around mental health.
👉 In addition to this event, Drew will be touring Boise’s high schools with his first film Ups and Downs, sharing messages of hope and showing students how he learned to ask for help when he needed it.
Viewer discretion advised: This film features explicit language and explores challenging themes including suicide, while offering important messages of hope and mental health awareness.
✨ Presented by @thespeedyfoundation @connectionisthecure @youthmentalwellnessalliance
💙 Special thanks to the amazing event sponsors: @idahoford @bogusbasin @idahorunningcompany @stlukeshealth @mitchellpalmer @cottonwoodcreekhospital @redskystory
🌍 Join Our Team of Interpreters! 🌍
Boise School District is looking for fluent English speakers with excellent communication skills to serve as on-call interpreters. This flexible position allows you to make a difference in our schools and community.
Starting this school year, Boise School District is moving to a new internet filtering system, Linewize, and providing families free access to the Qustodio Parent App. This tool helps you monitor your child’s school device activity outside of school hours, set screen time limits, block sites, and more.
The current GoGuardian Parent App will no longer work after August 1, 2025, so be sure to activate your free Qustodio account.
Last summer, our district adopted ParentSquare as our main communication platform. We’ve already received lots of positive feedback from families and staff. Still, with messages from the District, your child’s school, and their teachers all in one place, it can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Select your preferred method (email, app, or text)
Set different rules for different types of messages (e.g., District news by daily email, school updates by immediate text)
Limit notifications to emergencies only (though we hope you won’t!)
We encourage you to take a few minutes to adjust your settings—it makes a big difference. ParentSquare offers helpful online resources, including a quick 2-minute video, to guide you. For the best mobile experience, download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Explore Your Future at the Boise National College Fair
On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, students and families are invited to attend the Boise National College Fair at Expo Idaho (5610 N. Glenwood St., Garden City, Idaho). The fair will be open 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
This free annual event provides a one-stop opportunity to connect with representatives from colleges, universities, military academies, and career training programs from across the nation. Whether you are just beginning to explore your options or finalizing your post-graduation plans, the College Fair offers valuable face-to-face conversations with admissions counselors who can answer questions about academic programs, scholarships, application processes, and campus life.
The Boise National College Fair supports the Boise School District’s Strategic Plan, particularly our focus on Student-Centered Learning and College & Career Readiness. By connecting students with future opportunities, we empower them to take ownership of their educational journey, explore multiple pathways, and make informed decisions about life beyond high school.
We encourage all high school students and families to take advantage of this opportunity and explore the possibilities ahead.
📅 Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
🕘 Times: 9 a.m.–2 p.m. & 6 p.m.–8 p.m.
📍 Location: Expo Idaho, 5610 N. Glenwood St., Garden City, ID
The City of Boise is seeking input from families and community members on how federal housing funds will be invested over the next five years. This work stems from the Community Health Needs Assessment, which identified housing as a top priority for community well-being.
Families are invited to participate in two ways:
Community Survey – Open now through November 2. Your feedback will help the City prioritize how housing dollars are spent on services, infrastructure (like sidewalks and playgrounds), and new housing construction. 👉 Take the Community Survey
Community Focus Groups – Two sessions will be held in mid-October to gather deeper feedback. For details on how to participate, please see the flyers: English Flyer; | Spanish Flyer
Since housing directly impacts the families we serve, we encourage you to take part in shaping Boise’s housing priorities.
2025–2026 High School Sports Start Dates
The Boise School District is excited to kick off another great year of high school athletics! Below you’ll find the official start dates for the 2025–2026 school year’s sports seasons, including tryouts and the first day of practices.
We encourage all interested student-athletes to contact their school’s athletic office for details on specific tryout dates, times, and locations. Requirements such as physicals, eligibility paperwork, and registration deadlines may vary by sport and school.
This is another example of how the Boise School District offers a comprehensive public school education — one where all students can thrive, grow, and succeed both in the classroom and on the field. Whether you’re competing at the varsity level, joining a junior varsity squad, or supporting your team from the stands, athletics help build teamwork, resilience, and school pride.
We look forward to a safe, spirited, and successful season for all our student-athletes!
Want to know more about how our schools work behind the scenes? Beyond the Bell is a new publication from the Boise School District that offers an inside look at the financial, operational, and policy decisions shaping public education in our community.
Each issue dives into key topics like budgeting, strategic planning, student safety, and our instructional approach—providing timely insights for parents, employees, business leaders, elected officials, and anyone invested in the future of our schools.'
Get ready for one of our most anticipated events of the year—our annual Holiday Bazaar and Raffle Fundraiser! This special event is open to the public and a great opportunity for holiday shopping, fundraising, and community connection.
Event Details
📅 Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Vendor setup begins at 8:00 AM)
📍 Location: Capital High School Auxiliary Gym
Invitation to BSD Staff:
Boise School District staff are invited to participate as vendors at no cost. Each vendor space includes one table and two chairs. We only ask that vendors donate one item to our always-popular raffle, which raises funds to support student activities.
Whether you’d like to showcase your own crafts or goods, raise funds for your team/club/organization, or simply come enjoy the day and shop for unique gifts, we hope to see you there!
October 10: End of First Quarter - Pre K-12 No School; Teacher Directed Day/Professional Development
October 13: Regular Monthly Boise School Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m., District Services Center, 8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise, ID. Agenda will be posted online, when available.
October 16: No School Pre K
October 16: No Pre K-6 Elementary Classes - Parent Conferences
Boise School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to all individuals. Learn more...
