News & Events

By Courtney Fisher

Neighborhood schools shape more than education — they shape childhood, community, and the friendships that last a lifetime.

When I was a student at Indian Hills Elementary in the 1980s, the upper stretch of Country Club Drive wasn’t paved and lined with homes the way it is today. It was a craggy dirt road — the kind best suited for off-roading — bordered by open fields. I lived in the upper Johnny Creek neighborhood, and most mornings my friends and I climbed onto the bus together, sharing stories from the day before, laughing about playground adventures, planning whose house we’d hang out at after school, and hoping it would be a good lunch day with chocolate peanut butter bars. 

Getting to school took a little longer in those days. Without today’s straight shot down the hill, our bus hugged the tight curves of Johnny Creek Road before heading south on Bannock Highway—a route that added miles and minutes to the trip compared to the bus routes children ride today.

On warm spring days, my brother and I rode our bikes instead, gripping our handlebars as we bounced along the rutted road until it gave way to smoother pavement, where we’d coast the rest of the hill toward a building that felt as familiar as home.

Indian Hills looked different then. The school was organized in a mix of open pods and closed classrooms — a different approach to learning spaces than we see today. But what hasn’t changed in nearly 40 years is how that school made me feel.

I felt welcomed. I felt known. I belonged.

Those neighborhood friendships extended beyond the classroom. We played on the same teams, attended the same birthday parties, and sang and danced — and yes, even clogged — in the same community groups. We grew up together.

Many of those friendships still exist today. In fact, one of those neighborhood friends, Mrs. Baird, now teaches kindergarten at Indian Hills — welcoming a new generation of learners into the same community that shaped us.

Years later, my own children walked through the doors of Indian Hills.

They formed tight-knit friendships with classmates who lived just down the street. They played on the same teams. They found teachers who knew their strengths and encouraged their growth. They experienced the same sense of belonging that shaped my childhood.

Neighborhood schools are more than buildings. They are anchors of community — where children form their first friendships, build confidence, and begin to understand that they are part of something bigger than themselves.

Today, the dirt road is gone. The fields are neighborhoods. Classrooms have evolved. Technology is integrated. Instruction is more research-based than ever before. But when I walk into Indian Hills — through the same hallways I once walked — I still see what matters most: relationships.

At Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25, we believe strong foundations start with belonging.
Kindergarten is often a child’s first experience in structured learning outside the home — a milestone for children and parents alike. That first day brings excitement, but also uncertainty.

Neighborhood schools ease that transition.

When children attend school close to home, they see familiar faces at the park, at community events, and on their own street. Classmates become teammates, neighbors, and often lifelong friends. Parents build relationships with families who share the same sidewalks and routines.

Inside those classrooms, our educators focus on the whole child.

PCSD 25’s kindergarten classrooms are built on safe, welcoming environments where every learner is known and supported. Teachers use proven instructional practices to help students understand not only what they are learning, but how they learn best. Structured routines, play-based exploration, and strong early foundations in literacy and math nurture curiosity and confidence.

The results speak for themselves.

PCSD 25 ranks among the districts with the highest graduation rates among large school districts in Idaho while maintaining one of the highest teacher retention rates. Those outcomes do not begin in high school. They begin in kindergarten classrooms — where children first discover they are safe, valued, and capable.

Public neighborhood schools also reflect something essential: accountability and access. There is no tuition. No barriers. Our schools are rooted in the communities they serve and committed to supporting every learner.

As someone who once rode the bus down a dirt road to Indian Hills — and later watched my own children grow in those same hallways — I see the continuity clearly. School has changed. Our community has grown. Our tools have advanced. But the heart of our neighborhood schools remains the same.
They are places where children belong.

Online kindergarten registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open, with in-person visits to complete the process scheduled on April 2. If you are considering where your child will begin their educational journey, I encourage you to look close to home.

Strong communities build strong schools. Strong schools build confident learners.

And in PCSD 25, your neighborhood school is ready to welcome your family — just as Indian Hills once welcomed me.

You belong here.
                                      
Courtney Fisher is the Director of Communications & Community Relations for the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25, where she also serves as the Director of the SD25 Education Foundation. A native of Pocatello and graduate of PCSD 25, she is passionate about strengthening local public education. Courtney and her husband, Ethan, are the proud parents of two daughters, both now in college.
 

On Time, In School, Every Day! 

Keep the Joy Hold the Routine

Every Day Matters

December brings joy and holiday excitement - but don't let routines slide! Keeping consistent school attendance help learners stay connected and focused. Mark holiday events on the calendar and build in reminders for school days.

Let's finish the calendar year strong with the message that learning, laughter, and belonging happen across PCSD 25 every single day.

#YouBelongHere
#PCSD25
#EveryDayMatters

Across PCSD 25, our schools took time to recognize and thank the brave men and women who have served our nation. Here’s a look at some of the special Veterans Day assemblies and activities that took place.

#MoreTogether

You're Invited to Apprenticeship Plus Night

Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 6–8 p.m. | Pocatello High School Commons Door #5 | 325 N Arthur Ave.

POCATELLO, ID—What comes to mind when you hear the word apprenticeship?

If your first thought is “I’m not quite sure,” you’re not alone — and you’re exactly who the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 hopes to see at Apprenticeship-Plus Night on Thursday, November 13, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Pocatello High School Commons.

More than twenty local employers and organizations will be on hand to share information, personal experiences, and guidance about apprenticeships and other hands-on career training opportunities. Students, families, and community members are invited to stop by, explore, and connect.

The Commons will be filled with displays, informational materials, and—most importantly—people ready to describe real opportunities in fields ranging from electrical work and plumbing to healthcare. Guests can chat with employers, collect resources, and enjoy snacks prepared by Highland High School’s FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) Club.

Why “Apprenticeship-Plus”?

While apprenticeship is the evening’s main focus, the “Plus” highlights the many additional pathways to career learning — from military service and on-the-job training to mentorship and short-term employment programs.

“Apprenticeships are great for students and workers who aren’t drawn to the traditional classroom-based college route,” said Jen Newsom and Jessica Woodland, SD25 college and career advisors. “It’s hands-on and active—apprentices are in the workforce, learning and earning at the same time.”

Angela Jex, college and career advisor at Pocatello High School, helped organize the event. “The timing is intentional,” she explained. “As the trimester winds down and the year ends, people tend to reflect and plan for what’s next. Apprenticeship-Plus Night gives them the chance to explore new options and opportunities.”

Apprenticeships: A Proven Pathway

The concept of apprenticeship dates back hundreds of years, but it continues to evolve and expand. Alice Rowe, SD25 college and career advisor, notes that the benefits remain timeless: “You earn as you go, receive training from experts, and gain valuable, applicable experience—with minimal cost.”

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there were more than 680,000 active apprentices in 2024 across 27,000 registered programs nationwide. In Idaho, the Department of Labor reports a 400% increase in apprenticeship programs between 2013 and 2024. Graduates of registered programs in Idaho start at an average salary of $77,000, and 93% are employed upon completion.

Local Opportunities and Support

In addition to registered apprenticeships, career technical education (CTE) offered through SD25’s PV-TEC Building is supported by state scholarship and workforce training initiatives. The Idaho LAUNCH grant program helps students pursue training in high-demand fields—from healthcare to welding to diesel technology. College and career advisors at each high school can provide more details about funding opportunities.

Expected participants include:

• Idaho State University’s Continuing Education and Workforce Training Apprenticeship Program
• Local car dealerships
• Local Ironworkers Union
• Idaho National Guard (the ultimate “learn while you earn” experience)
• Melaleuca of Idaho Falls…and more!

Visit www.apprenticeship.gov to explore national resources on apprenticeships.

Then, mark your calendar for Apprenticeship-Plus Night — Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Pocatello High School Commons. Don’t miss this chance to connect with employers, advisors, and programs that can help you launch a fulfilling, well-paid career.

When learners feel prepared and supported, they show up to school confident and ready. 

Create reliable morning and evening routines. Prep lunchboxes, backpacks, and outfits the night before to avoid morning stres. Staying "On Time, In School, Every Day" helps learners keep up -- and stand out.

With top notch teachers (from national awards to local recognition!) and future-ready programs, PCSD 25 is where success begins.

Because in PCSD 25, you belong here -- and Every Day Matters. 

#YouBelongHere
#MoreTogether
#PCSD25