NICA eyes lot behind fairgrounds as alternative to Boulder Creek

The North Idaho Classical Academy is set to open next fall, though its exact location remains to be seen.

In December 2023, the Idaho Public Charter School Commission unanimously approved NICA to open in the fall of 2025, with plans to occupy the former site of Boulder Creek Academy. However, those plans hit a snag when the Boundary County Planning and Zoning Commission did not grant a conditional use permit due to concerns over the property’s water and septic system. 

“We are looking at other property because it's pretty tenuous with Boulder Creek,” NICA founding principal Jacob Francom said at the Boundary County Fair Board meeting on Dec. 9. 

An emerging alternative plan would place the charter school on the vacant industrial lot behind the fairgrounds, repurposing the sawmill that has been inactive for nearly 20 years.

In its December newsletter, NICA announced a delay in its enrollment lottery due to ongoing facilities challenges. The newsletter also noted the possibility that the school’s opening may be postponed to the fall of 2026. 

Both Francom and Stephen Lambert, executive director of American Classical Schools of Idaho, said that Boulder Creek remains the top option. But NICA's financial team will not proceed with purchasing the school complex and its 15 acres of land without approval from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. 

The vacant lot behind the fairgrounds belongs to Idaho Forest Group owner Marc Brinkmeyer. Over the last several years, many land redevelopment plans have come up for the 80-acre industrial zone just outside of downtown Bonners Ferry.  

David Sims, Boundary Economic Development Council director, said the lot is likely to be rezoned to accommodate a mix of commercial and residential property as early as late spring 2025. If NICA opts to purchase the old mill site, it would be possible for that smaller parcel of land to get rezoned quicker so the school can open sooner. 

A potential third option, though unlikely, could be the old Boundary County School District office building that recently went up for bid. 

“We are doing all that we can to get the school up and running,” Francom said. “It might not happen in 2025, but we have lots of good options.” 

Lambert said that facility roadblocks are common for ASCI and other non-profit organizations in Idaho seeking to open charter schools. Yet, he said that there is still strong momentum behind NICA. 

The school is in high demand, as over 600 students have been signed up for the enrollment lottery to fill 210 available seats. NICA has won multiple grants, including a federal Charter Schools Programs grant, which has supported teacher hires from areas like Couer d’Alene and Seattle. 

Kindergarten and first grade will have a 15-to-1 ratio of students to teachers. Grades two through six will have a 30-to-1 ratio, but there will be an aide to assist each teacher. 

Following the Hillsdale College classical curriculum, students will take courses designed to deepen their understanding of U.S. government and civic responsibility, develop critical thinking skills, and explore traditional subjects like Latin and handwriting. Rather than history textbooks, students will read biographies of historical figures. They will also study arts and mathematics. 

NICA will open as a K-6 school and will add a grade every year until it is K-12. Francom said the gradual growth will help foster a strong family culture from the ground up. It will also help students familiarize themselves with a new learning program. 

“We don't want to overwhelm kids going into high school with a classical curriculum that they're not used to,” he said. “It’s not easy to jump into third-year Latin.” 

ASCI will meet with the Idaho PCS Commission on Dec. 12 to seek approval for its fourth classical school.