Foothills School of Arts and Sciences

The Class of 2026 has left fingerprints all over this place.

Through performances, projects, debates, inside jokes, leadership moments, big feelings, creative risks, late rehearsals, spring trips, and countless everyday moments, these students have helped shape the heart of Foothills in ways that will last long after graduation.

This class is thoughtful, funny, compassionate, wildly creative, deeply curious, and entirely unforgettable. They have challenged us, inspired us, made us laugh harder than we expected, and reminded us what it means to grow into yourself while growing alongside a community.

Today, we celebrate not just where they are headed, but who they already are. ❤️

Congratulations to the Foothills School Class of 2026! We cannot wait to see what comes next for each of you!

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“This is our trinket library.”

This morning at Community Meeting, our Early Learners proudly presented a trinket exchange they designed and created together for our school community.

“You can make a trinket or take a trinket.”
“We have some trinkets we already made.”
“It is outside by our porch.”

Students decorated the exchange with paper collage and even labeled it using metal stamps and a hammer.

A small structure filled with creativity, generosity, collaboration, and care for community. We love seeing learning made visible in ways that invite connection and joy.

“We hope you love it.” 🧡

As summer approaches and routines begin to shift, many families find themselves thinking more intentionally about screens, gaming, social media, and how to support healthy balance in a digital world.

We hope you’ll join us for our final Family Education Event of the 2025/26 school year: Raising Humans in a Digital World — a thoughtful virtual conversation led by Foothills Junior High Faculty member and Director of Educational Technology, Justin Brune.

Together, we’ll explore practical strategies, current trends, and ways families can foster connection, creativity, critical thinking, and well-being alongside technology.

June 3 | Noon | Via Zoom

Thank you to for sponsoring this year’s Family Education Event Series and helping support meaningful conversations for families in our community.

Register through the link in bio or QR code on the flyer.

Faculty Feature | Brandy Gatfield-Brune

Brandy Gatfield-Brune has been part of the Foothills community since 2007, first as the spouse of a teacher, then as a parent, and since 2013, as a beloved educator. Today, she serves as Assistant Kindergarten Teacher, helping create a classroom rooted in kindness, creativity, respect, and agency.

With experience teaching learners from preschool through 9th grade, Brandy brings deep expertise in social emotional learning and a wholehearted belief that children are capable. Her classroom is filled with meaningful rituals, including creative breathing moments with a singing bowl before meals, helping students slow down, connect, and care for themselves and one another.

Brandy is also a published children’s book author. Alongside Foothills art teacher Tara Kennedy, she co-created I Am Luca, a story inspired by her daughter and centered on identity and self-discovery.

When asked what she loves most about Foothills, Brandy reflected on watching both of her children grow up here from Early Learners through 9th grade graduation: “They are magnificent human beings. Our babies got to have the best education possible in Boise.”

We’re so grateful for the warmth, wisdom, creativity, and heart Brandy brings to our community each day. 💛

A First Look at Foothills Open House (preK-4th grade)
Saturday, May 16 | 10:00–11:30 AM

We’d love to welcome prospective, newly enrolled, and current families for a morning of connection, classroom experiences, and a glimpse into the everyday magic of learning at Foothills School of Arts & Sciences.

Join us for short, authentic classroom experiences designed to help children and families begin building familiarity, excitement, and connection within our community.

Classroom Experiences
10:15 AM | Early Learners
Morning Meeting & provocation exploration

10:30 AM | Kindergarten
Math through play: collaborative games focused on sportspersonship

10:45 AM | 1st/2nd Grade Dyad
Literacy in action: storytelling workshop

11:00 AM | 3rd/4th Grade Dyad
Design Challenge: Saving Sam

Come explore classrooms, meet teachers and families, and experience the joyful, inquiry-based learning that makes Foothills so special.

🔗 RSVP at the link in bio

Curiosity belongs downtown.

Join Foothills School of Arts and Sciences at Kidfort for Curiosity Unplugged. Children can create, experiment, and explore hands-on projects that weave together the arts, sciences, and community.

Stop by for a few minutes or stay the whole hour.

Come curious. Leave inspired.

📍 Julia Davis Park – The Nest
🗓️ March 27 | 4:30–5:30 PM

CreativeLearning

☕️ Alumni wisdom in the sunshine.

This week’s Parent & Guardian Coffee featured Foothills alumni Dylan Mullins and Stella Thornfeldt, who returned to campus to share reflections on their journey from Foothills to high school and now to college.

Parents gathered on the patio with warm coffee and plenty of questions about the transition to high school and beyond. Dylan and Stella spoke about the confidence they carried with them from Foothills: asking teachers for help, building new friendships, and pushing themselves academically.

Dylan is headed to NYU for Acting, and credits his love of theater to his time performing at Foothills. Stella will attend Rice University to study mechanical engineering, sharing how Foothills helped nurture her curiosity and confidence in STEM.

It was a meaningful morning of connection, perspective, and inspiration for the families walking this path now.

Compassion in action. ❤️

On Thursday, April 9, our Junior High Student Council is hosting a Blood Drive in partnership with the American Red Cross. This project is entirely student organized, from the first idea to the final sign up sheet, and it reflects what we believe deeply at Foothills. Children and adolescents are capable of real impact.

One blood donation can save up to three lives. That is powerful.

Join us in the Foothills parking lot from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM and be part of this meaningful effort led by our students. When young people are given agency, they rise to meet the moment.

Sign up at the link in our bio to schedule your appointment. We would love to see our community show up in support.