The Coeur d’Alene area is very proud of its local and regional educational system. The area’s network of public schools, private schools, community colleges and universities provide a multitude of options for lifelong learning. Within a 60 mile radius of Coeur d’Alene there are several educational facilities offering undergraduate and graduate programs including North Idaho College, Lewis-Clark State College, University of Idaho-Coeur d’Alene Center, Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University, Washington State University and Whitworth College.

The Coeur d’Alene School District serves 9,185 students with its 2 high schools, 3 middle schools, 1 alternative high/middle school, and 10 elementary schools. The district has a dedicated staff of 536 teachers, 31 administrators and 304 support personnel to provide quality education for the Coeur d’Alene, Hayden and Dalton communities. All schools are accredited and two high schools have merit status.

A Skyway Elementary teacher, Patti Perry, was recently named 2003 Idaho Teacher of the Year, the third such honor for the district in five years. Past recipients are Hayden Meadows teacher Judy Bieze (1999) and Ramsey teacher Nancy Larsen (2000).

Other awards received by district staff this year include Elementary Environmental Educator of the Year, Teri Burch of Fernan Elementary, and Idaho Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, Harry Selby of Project CDA. In August, Linda Turner was named Outstanding Food Service Director of the Year for Idaho and, in October, School Bus Fleet magazine named the district’s transportation operation as one of 50 Great Fleets Across America. SchoolMatch, a nationwide corporate relocation service, has given a “What Parents Want” designation to the district for seven consecutive years.

The District works hard to provide numerous learning and enrichment opportunities and to help all students meet Idaho’s new Performance Standards. In addition to numerous Honors and Advanced Placement courses, high school students who qualify may enter a dual enrollment program with North Idaho College or take advanced technical and specialized courses at Riverbend Professional Technical Academy, a collaborative effort with Post Falls and Lakeland districts.

The District appreciates the strong support of the business community and governmental agencies. Partnerships with the City of Coeur d’Alene Police Department and Kootenai Medical Center provide five school resource officers and four school nurses.

North Idaho College (N.I.C.)

Founded in 1933, North Idaho College is a comprehensive community college offering a wide array of academic, professional-technical, and workforce training programs. NIC enrolls over 4,200 students in its academic courses and an additional 8,000 in various non-credit programs through its Workforce Training Center in nearby Post Falls. The college’s beautiful 44-acre campus is located on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene and the Spokane River making it a perfect setting for it’s excellent outdoor recreation program. A new state-of-the-art residence hall is the new home for 200 on-campus residents and a newly remodeled student union is the center for numerous student activities and services. The college is well-known for its excellent nursing program and nationally acclaimed, awarding-winning student newspaper.

North Idaho College serves as a center for the performing arts, is home to an outstanding intercollegiate athletic program, and is the site for many community sponsored events. NIC’s 1,148-seat auditorium houses performances by the college choir, jazz and symphonic bands, madrigal singers, and theatre groups. Complementing the arts, is a full array of athletic teams including the Cardinal wrestling program that has won a total of 12 national championships.

North Idaho College instructors are dedicated teachers, committed to student success which is enhanced with an average class size of 20 students. Credits earned for an associate of arts or associate of science degree transfer automatically to any Idaho public college or university. As an accredited college, NIC’s credits transfer to most institutions across the country. For information, call the NIC Admissions Office at (208) 769-3311.

Lewis-Clark State College – Coeur d’Alene Center

Located on the North Idaho College campus, Lewis-Clark State College-Cd’A provides baccalaureate degree completion programs to the residents of northern Idaho. The Center offers the final two years of baccalaureate degrees in Business Administration, Communication Arts, General Studies, Justice Studies, Nursing (BSN), and Social Work (BSW). Courses are offered in intensive formats mainly in the evenings, and weekends to meet the needs of working students. Eligible students may earn college credit for work, military and vocational/technical experiences to apply to certain degrees

University of Idaho-Coeur d’Alene Center (UI-CDA)

University of Idaho-Coeur d’Alene center was established in 1981 to provide continued growth in a wide range of quality educational opportunities for Coeur d’Alene residents. Current programs draw from the Colleges of Education and Letters and Science. Programs include degrees in elementary education, K-12 physical education, K-12 special education, environmental science; graduate degrees in education, educational administration, counseling and human services, vocational teacher and adult education; and two specialist degrees.

The UI-CDA collaborates with other educational institutions and community groups and has assumed an active roll in educational and research projects. The Thomas O. Bell New Century Classroom provides the most current technological advances for public school teachers and students. The UI Research and Development Park links economic development strategies with University research and technologies. The Northern Idaho Center for Higher Education (NICHE) is a coalition of UI, North Idaho College, Lewis-Clark State College and Idaho State University to combine services for expanded educational opportunities. The directors of the UI-CDA, Washington State University-Spokane, and Gonzaga University are developing a collaborative agreement to combine programs to assist the communities and patrons of eastern Washington and Northern Idaho.

The University of Idaho Research Park is the Inland Northwest’s campus focus for research and technology companies wanting to create or continue working relationships with the University. At its completion, the park will be home to approximately 25 large companies and many smaller, technology-based companies, which will interact with the University and each other.

Cd’A School District Resources
311 N. 10th Street
208.664.8241; fax 208.664.1748
www.sd271.k12.id.us
Find out about Coeur d’Alene and surrounding area School Districts. Learn where to contact these schools and find out more about our school systems. Consists of 29 valuable resource sites for Districts 271 (Cd’A), 273 (Post Falls), and 272 (Lakeland)

Lewis-Clark State College
715 River Avenue
208.666.6707; fax 208.666.6712
www.lcsc.edu

North Idaho College
1000 W. Garden
208.769.3300; fax 208.769.7760
www.nic.edu

University of Idaho
1000 W. Hubbard, Ste. 242
208.667.2588; fax 208.664.1272
www.uicda.edu

Idaho Career Information System
www.sde.state.id.us/cis/
Provides info on occupations, schooling, financial aid, and the world of work. You can also sort colleges and universities based on your own needs and preferences.