Frank Church High School History

Frank Church High School was officially dedicated on Friday, October 24, 2008. Boise School District officials, students, parents, relatives of the late U.S. Senator Frank Church, architects, engineers, and construction company representatives gathered for the formal dedication ceremony at the site of the school, 8051 W. Salt Creek Court, Boise.


Construction of Frank Church High School was made possible due to the overwhelming support by voters of the 94 million dollar bond to consolidate, renovate and rebuild a number of schools. The successful bond made construction of a number of schools possible, including construction of Frank Church High School.  In March of 2006 voters passed the bond with 70.45% of the yes vote.  


During the Frank Church High School dedication ceremony, then Boise School Board Trustee Rory Jones shared some highlights about Senator Church’s remarkable life.  “His life stands as a testament to what an individual can do given the support, given the courage and given the passion to succeed,” said Trustee Jones.  “Senator Frank Church had the courage to stand-up for his beliefs when others were holding firm on their opposite views. Today, Senator Church’s life serves as a great lesson for students in courage, commitment and valor.”  


Boise School District officials said it is fitting that the new school is named after Senator Frank Church.


“U.S. Senator Frank Church aspired to great things in his life and today his lasting legacy serves as inspiration to all students here in Frank Church High School to aspire to achieve great things in their own individual lives,” said Dr. Stan Olson, then District Superintendent.  “Senator Church was passionate about his beliefs and we are passionate about the belief that every child, from every background, from every household, from every walk of life, deserves the finest public education available today. The new Frank Church High School serves as a symbol of our community’s support for such an educational system.  We pledge our ongoing commitment to uphold those standards of educational excellence today and tomorrow.”


Dr. Olson thanked voters for providing the financial resources needed to make construction of the new school possible and shared some specifics about the new Frank Church High School:   


  • At capacity, Frank Church High School was built to serve 500+ students;

  • The school consists of approximately 88-thousand square feet of space in a two-story building;The school was constructed using concrete masonry of three colors and various textures. There is a colored standing seam metal roof that will provide decades of quality preventive maintenance. The design of the facility represents a culmination of numerous educational programs and teaching techniques;

  • Three science labs;

  • Six math classrooms;

  • Seven language arts classrooms;

  • Six social studies classrooms;

  • Two art rooms;

  • One music room;

  • One family consumer science classroom;

  • One larger than normal computer lab;

  • Two special education classrooms;

  • Various flexible classroom space;

  • Weight room;

  • Gymnasium;

  • Locker rooms;  

  • Full size and full service cafeteria;

  • Comprehensive media center; and space to support various District programs, including Just for Kids Childcare Program, District’s Art Cottage, Boise Evening School, Victory Academy (formerly the Work and Learn program);  and the District’s Technology Communication Program.