District Overview

St. Maries School District #41 Overview

DISTRICT OVERVIEW:

The District has a strong Leadership Team comprised of the Superintendent, Building Principals, and Program Coordinators.  The District Leadership Team, Building Level Leadership Teams, the Professional Development Committee, and various other committees oversee advancements in curriculum development, technology, teacher collaboration, media and patron communication, as well as professional development activities for staff members and facilities improvements and advancements. 

The District offers a number of extra-curricular activities to its students, such as drama, athletics, Business Professionals of America, Idaho Drug Free Youth, and National Honor Society.  In addition, dual-enrollment classes are offered by North Idaho College and Lewis Clark State College to high school students.  Students are also able to take Advanced Placement classes for both high school and college credit.  St. Maries High School has recently begun partnering with local businesses to offer apprenticeship programs.  North Idaho College is located approximately 60 miles north of St. Maries, the University of Idaho approximately 70 miles south of St. Maries, and Lewis and Clark State College approximately 100 miles south of St. Maries.

GEOGRAPHIC AND POPULATION OVERVIEW:

St. Maries Joint School District #41 is located in St. Maries, Benewah County, Idaho.  St. Maries is the County seat of Benewah County, and is located in Northern Idaho, approximately three hours south of the Canadian border.  The District serves the students in the City of St. Maries, as well as unincorporated areas within Benewah and Shoshone counties, including Emida, Santa, Fernwood, Clarkia, Calder, and Avery.  The District itself encompasses approximately 2350 square miles.  This is comparable to the size of Delaware (2044 square miles).

The population within the School District is approximately 900 students.  Many students ride the bus for 45 minutes, one-way to get to school each day.  The closest cities (a 60-mile drive) are Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Spokane, Washington.  There are no major highways through the District.  The population of St. Maries and the surrounding area is highly dependent on the timber industry and has in the past few years remained relatively steady.  The population within the attendance area of St. Maries High School is projected to increase over the next ten years. 

The ethnic mix of the community is predominantly white, with less than 2% non-white.  The community includes a variety of religious denominations and provides numerous activities for young people, such as Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, 4-H, and park and recreation sports programs.