The Gem Prep network of K-12 charter schools received unanimous approval to build its final brick-and-mortar campus, located in Caldwell.

The Idaho Public Charter School Commission approved the school during a Thursday meeting. Gem Prep leaders said the school will be the network’s last after 22 years of growth across Idaho.

“We have no plans, after this one, for additional growth,” said Gem Innovation Schools CEO Jason Bransford.

On land donated by housing developer Brighton, Gem Prep Caldwell plans to open its doors in 2028 in Caldwell’s Aviary subdivision(opens in new tab), roughly three miles northwest of the Vallivue School District’s Ridgevue High.

The Caldwell location will be Gem Prep’s tenth campus. Charter leaders said they plan to open the school with 373 students grades K-9 and grow to 574 students grades K-12 over the first four years.

Caldwell is the fastest-growing city in Idaho. BLUUM, an Idaho charter funding nonprofit, names Caldwell as the best opportunity area in the state for charter school growth.

Bransford also cited the Vallivue district’s concerns about its two new elementary schools reaching capacity(opens in new tab) within five years as another reason for opening a Gem Prep in the area. Gem Prep has not communicated with the Vallivue district yet, he told the charter commission.

Commissioner Wally Hedrick, the only one to question leaders about the new school Thursday, asked Gem Innovation Schools CFO Bryan Fletcher about the charter’s debt-to-asset ratio, a measurement of how much it relies on borrowed money to finance its assets. Fletcher couldn’t provide an exact number but promised to provide Hedrick with one after the meeting.

Hedrick also asked how many Gem Prep students go on to earn four-year degrees after graduating. Bransford said around 60%, but some get their degrees later.

In the charter’s last statewide graduating class, 57% of students graduated with associate degrees.

Hedrick motioned to approve the school’s opening under the commission starting in 2028, and commissioners unanimously voted in favor.

Commissioners express worry over new virtual charter

Executive Director Rachel Burk presented commissioners with some numbers:

• Two applicants will present proposed charter schools to the commission in October.
• Statewide, 31,750 students are enrolled in commission-authorized charter schools this year.

Commission employees presented commissioners with numbers from the six new charters opening in Idaho this fall. That includes Trailhead Virtual Academy, a statewide virtual school focused on career-technical education that will open with only four students enrolled. Commissioners did a double take when they saw the number.

“Four? Four students? Did I see that right?” Hedrick asked.

“How does that work?” asked Commission Chair Alan Reed.

“That’s a big-time concern,” Hedrick said.

Commissioners approved Trailhead’s charter in December 2025. Earlier this month, Burk told EdNews(opens in new tab) the commission will allow Trailhead to open with such low enrollment because Accel Schools, an Ohio-based educational service provider, took on the financial risk.

Accel is going to cover all bills and expenses until the school hits its break-even number of around 200 students, Burk told commissioners. “They are not at risk of financial failure.”