West Ada School District
School district in Idaho, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The West Ada School District #2, long known as the Meridian School District, is a school district based in Meridian, Idaho. In addition to Meridian, the district operates public schools in Eagle, Star and western Boise. It is the largest school district in Idaho.[3] In 2025, the district received widespread attention[4] for banning "Everyone is welcome here" posters that depicted children's hands in all skin colors.
| West Ada School District #2 | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
1303 E Central Dr
Meridian, ID 83642Western Ada County, Idaho
United States | |
| District information | |
| Type | Public |
| Motto | "Preparing Today's Students for Tomorrow's Challenges" |
| Grades | K-12 |
| Established | 1945 |
| Superintendent | Derek Bub |
| Budget | $364,896,418 (2024-25)[1] |
| Students and staff | |
| Students | 38,906 (2023-24)[2] |
| Athletic conference | Southern Idaho Conference - 6A (IHSAA) |
| Other information | |
| Website | westada.org |
In June 2014, the district board of trustees voted to change the common name of the district, previously known as the Meridian School District, to West Ada School District. The official name, Joint School District No. 2, remains unchanged.[5]
District information
The West Ada School District educates more than 35,000 students in 49 schools over an area of 382 square miles (990 km2). The district has grown by more than 5,000 students in the last five years. West Ada School District schools range in enrollment from 100 to over 2,000 students. School buildings vary in age with the oldest being more than 50 years old.[citation needed][when?]
In Ada County the district includes:[6]
The district extends into Canyon County, where it includes portions of Nampa and Star.[7] West Ada School District announced its plans to move forward with building a second elementary school in Star.[8]
Governance
The district is administered by a five-member Board of Trustees elected by voters residing within the district's boundaries.[9] Each of the five trustees represent specific geographic zones in the district.[10] They receive no salaries or benefits and are elected to a four-year term.[9]
| Zone | Trustee (as of 2026)[11] |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lori Frasure (Chair) |
| 2 | Evelyn McCullough |
| 3 | Meghan Brown |
| 4 | David Binetti |
| 5 | Rene Ozuna (Vice-Chair) |
History
Timeline
- 1945 - School districts reorganized to reduce 1,082 school districts in Idaho to 301 districts.
- 1950 - District named "Class A School District No. 2."
- 1963 - The District’s name was officially changed to its current name, "Joint School District No. 2."
- 2005 - Total enrollment for the district reached over 30,000.
- 2007 - The district moved into its new offices, consolidating seven different office locations.
- 2014 - Colloquial name changed from "Meridian School District" to "West Ada School District."
"Everyone is welcome here" controversy
In March 2025, West Ada School District administrators asked a teacher to remove a classroom poster deemed in violation of District Policy[12] requiring all displays be "content neutral". The poster had hung for several years and read "Everyone is welcome here" with depictions of children's hands of all skin colors. The teacher refused to do so, and challenged the District's decision on a local news station.[13]
In May 2025, after accepting a position with the Boise School District, the teacher resigned from the West Ada School District and removed the signs, pledging to put them up in her new classroom.[14]. The poster was deemed by Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador in June of 2025 to be in violation of Idaho State Law 33-143 prohibiting controversial displays on public school property.[15]. In February of 2026, the teacher filed a federal lawsuit claiming violation of First Amendment rights.[16] The lawsuit is currently pending before David Nye in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho.
Superintendents
| Superintendents | Years |
|---|---|
| L.A. Thomas | 1950–1953 |
| Roy G. Denton | 1953–1963 |
| J. Lowell Scott | 1964–1973 |
| August M. Hein | 1973–1985 |
| Nick Hallett | 1985–1992 |
| Bob L. Haley | 1992–1998 |
| Christine H. Donnell | 1998–2004 |
| Linda Clark | 2004–2015 |
| Mary Ann Ranells | 2016–2021 |
| Derek Bub | 2021–Present |
High schools
There are currently seven high schools and six alternative schools in the district, five of which are classified 5A by the Idaho High School Activities Association.
Boise
- Centennial High School - (1987)
Meridian
- Central Academy (Alternative)
- Idaho Fine Arts Academy
- Meridian Academy (Alternative)
- Meridian High School - (1904, Rebuilt 1975, Modernized 2007)
- Meridian Medical Arts Charter High School - (2003) (Alternative)
- Meridian Technical Charter High School - (1999) (Alternative)
- Mountain View High School - (2003)
- Owyhee High School - (2021)
- Rebound School of Opportunity (Alternative) (Grade 10-12)
- Renaissance High School- (2009) (Alternative)
- Rocky Mountain High School - (2008)
Eagle
- Eagle Academy (Alternative)
- Eagle High School - (1995)
- North Star Public Charter School (Alternative)
Middle schools
There are currently 7 middle schools & 2 alternatives in the district.
Star
- Star Middle School
Meridian
- Heritage Middle School (2007)
- Lewis & Clark Middle School
- Meridian Middle School (1904, 1975)
- Sawtooth Middle School (2004)
- Victory Middle School (2016)
Boise
- Lake Hazel Middle School (1977) and is currently being remodeled as of May 2026, projected to finish in 2 years.
- Lowell Scott Middle School (1972)
Eagle
- Eagle Middle School
Alternatives (Meridian)
- Crossroads Middle School
- Pathways Middle School
Elementary schools
There are currently 32 elementary schools in the district.
Meridian
|
|
Boise
|
|
Eagle
- Eagle Elementary School of the Arts
- Eagle Hills Elementary
- Galileo STEM Academy*
- Seven Oaks Elementary
Star
- Star Elementary
- Independence Elementary
*Galileo STEM Academy is both a middle school and an elementary school