Wilcox Elementary School

Wilcox Elementary School was originally Hawthorne Elementary School—part of a combined junior high/elementary school. In anticipation of physically separating from the junior high, Hawthorne Elementary was renamed Wilcox Elementary School on January 8, 1973. In 1975, the new building was completed, located just a few blocks north of the junior high. The elementary students and staff were relocated to the new building, and the junior high took over the vacated portion of the old building.

Wilcox was named in honor of longtime Pocatello educator Claude A. Wilcox. At the Monday night Pocatello School Board meeting where Wilcox Elementary School received its new name, Dr. Rulon Ellis, Superindentent of Schools, said, "I have a very warm spot in my heart for Mr. Wilcox, and I'm very pleased the school board has chosen to honor him. He was principal and teacher at Tyhee Elementary School when I started school there in the first grade." Mr. Wilcox's career spanned 42 years as teacher and principal.

The 50,000-square-foot building is one of the largest elementary schools in the district—carefully designed to eliminate architectural barriers. With no steps and very few doors, the school offers exceptional access. Corridors were minimized by placing a media center at the core of the building. Window space was also kept to a minimum, and the building is carpeted throughout.

2008–2009 Academic Performance

	Wilcox Average	District Average	State Average
ISAT Reading Proficiency	85.39%	89.74%	88.15%
ISAT Math Proficiency	76.95%	81.64%	81.57%
ISAT Language Proficiency	72.08%	79.15%	76.17%

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