Building Idaho’s Future with Rural Communities: American Falls

This story is one in a series spotlighting our incredible community partners through the INCLUDE project. This initiative connects rural Idaho communities to expanded educational opportunities, health services, and critical resources.

In the heart of Power County, American Falls High School is more than a building, it is the soul of a resilient and deeply connected community. At its helm is Superintendent Randy Jensen, whose four-decade journey in education has shaped generations of students and transformed the American Falls School District into a model of innovation, care, and community empowerment.

Jensen began his career in American Falls and has never left. From teaching health and P.E. to serving as the principal of William Thomas Middle School for 28 years, and now leading as Superintendent, his commitment has been constant. “I have loved school my whole life,” he says. “I loved elementary, middle school, high school. I wasn’t a great student, but I had good friends, good teachers. I loved it.”

Now in his 40th year of service, Jensen was named Idaho’s 2024 Superintendent of the Year. But accolades are not what drive him. “At American Falls, it is all about the kids,” he says. Whether he is championing academic achievement, family support, or community programs, Jensen’s work is grounded in a philosophy that to help children succeed, you must also help their families. “The student’s families’ basic needs need to be taken care of,” he explains. “If we want to help our kids, we need to help their families.”

That belief led to the district’s powerful “Read, Talk, Play Every Day” campaign, which encourages early childhood literacy and development. The whole town embraced it, from senior citizens proudly wearing campaign T-shirts to local businesses promoting daily engagement with young children. “It became so much bigger than we thought,” says Jensen. “It unified the town. In a world where everything feels divided, it brought people together.”

The results are undeniable. Kindergarten readiness has increased dramatically. Once only 20% of children were prepared to start school; now, 50% are ready. End-of-year proficiency rates in kindergarten have reached 89%, nearly 20 points above the state average. Another popular literacy initiative is “Drop Everything and Read,” encouraging families to build shared reading habits at home.

American Falls is a working town with deep agricultural roots. Potatoes, wheat, corn, and sugar beets flourish across the landscape, and the nearby Lamb Weston plant produces over a million pounds of French fries a day. With a student body that is 52% Hispanic, the district reflects a diverse and dynamic community. “We have a really nice town. We have a really nice Hispanic culture,” Jensen says. “Our community works so hard and they want the best for their kids. They are so supportive and appreciative of their kids getting an education.”

Family engagement is at the heart of the school’s approach. Each month, 300 to 500 people attend family engagement nights, which include game nights and educational events. These gatherings are a vital part of the school’s relationship with the broader community. Social workers also play a key role, not only supporting students but helping to develop and uplift parents.

With a district of 1,500 students and 440 at the high school, many face economic hardship. But that has not stopped the district from launching Opportunity Community, a bold effort to break cycles of poverty. This initiative brings all necessary resources under one roof, job support, medical care, FAFSA help, food assistance, even free tax filing services, all made available through partnerships with ISU, the Pocatello Free Clinic, the Idaho Department of Labor, and AmeriCorps. The district also partners with the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Trained high school students have helped over 125 residents file their taxes. “The best way to help kids is to help their families,” Jensen insists. “Contrary to what people think, people do not want handouts. They want to provide for themselves.”

That mindset of empowerment was never more evident than at a recent GED graduation, where Jensen watched a mother and father receive their diplomas while their children cheered from the front row. “I have never seen a parent as proud at a kid’s graduation as those kids were of their mom and dad,” he recalls. “That is how you help people.”

Jensen’s dedication extends to early childhood education and college readiness alike. The district’s go-on rate is among the highest in the state, with the majority of students choosing Idaho State University. “Most of our kids do not think they can afford college,” he says. “But with scholarships and support, they can. And they stay. Our kids’ college retention rates are something we are really proud of.”

He is also passionate about the evolving role of technology in education. “I always say, AI will not take your job, but somebody using AI will take your job,” Jensen explains. “AI should be like an assistant. That way, you can use it.” While teachers were initially more concerned about plagiarism, the district is working to embrace AI’s potential as a supportive tool in learning and productivity.

The district also boasts one of the nation’s top three FFA programs, a thriving arts scene, and an award-winning music department that includes a performing jazz band and an advanced sound system at the high school. From marching bands to community events like American Falls Day, held the first Saturday of August in the central city park, students are deeply embedded in the cultural life of the community.

Building the next generation of educators is also a priority. “We are trying to grow our own teachers,” Jensen says. “That’s our goal.” Through community school initiatives and partnerships with local universities, the district is developing pathways for students to return as future educators and leaders.