Idaho Commission Approved Two New Charter Schools
The Idaho Public Charter School Commission voted unanimously to authorize the expansion of two school networks.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Secondary Education
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The Idaho Public Charter School Commission has approved applications for new charter schools in Meridian and Pocatello. Both institutions must now submit verified financial and facility documentation to move forward with their planned openings.
Why it matters
The approvals allow Doral Academy to extend its arts-integrated curriculum to high school students and enable Elevate Academy to provide vocational training to middle schoolers. These schools aim to meet growing demand for specialized educational models across the state.
Doral Academy of Idaho recently saw enrollment grow 27% to 414 students, while the new Doral Academy Preparatory aims for a capacity of 840 students. Meanwhile, the planned Pocatello location will be the fourth charter school in that city.
The players
Idaho Public Charter School Commission
This state regulatory body is responsible for authorizing and overseeing the operations of charter schools across Idaho.
Doral Academy of Idaho
This educational organization operates an arts-integrated K-8 school based in Meridian.
Elevate Academy
This network of charter schools focuses on providing career and technical education to students.
The details
School leaders are required to submit balanced operating budgets, building lease or purchase agreements, and documentation for all grants and loans to the commission. The Doral Academy expansion focuses on high school arts, while Elevate Academy will bring its career-focused training network to its seventh school location.
Timeline
October 8, 2026: Charter school applications were approved by the commission.
Fall 2027: Doral Academy Preparatory plans to open for ninth-graders.
2028: Elevate Academy Pocatello is scheduled to open.
Culture Shift
The Idaho approvals follow a documented trend of states diversifying educational options through the expansion of arts-integration and CTE-focused charter school models. This shift reflects a broader societal move away from standardized curricula toward specialized, interest-driven learning pathways.
Families in Meridian and Pocatello will gain new options for arts-based and career-focused secondary education beginning in the coming years. Residents should monitor future announcements regarding enrollment timelines and public information sessions as these schools approach their target opening dates.
The takeaway
These charter school approvals represent an effort to align local educational offerings with specific vocational and artistic career paths. Parents interested in these programs should prepare for application processes that typically align with the schools' projected opening dates.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's academic landscape in our Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Idaho Education News.
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