Best Schools in Helena, Arkansas
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Helena?
Use this page to compare every school in Helena by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
J.f. Wahl Elementary School
Elementary · Helena / West Helena School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Kipp:delta Collegiate High School
High · Kipp Delta Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Kipp:delta College Prep School
Middle · Kipp Delta Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Helena for 2026 are J.f. Wahl Elementary School (7.1/10), Kipp:delta Collegiate High School (6.1/10), and Kipp:delta College Prep School (5.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$99,000
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$99,000
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Helena
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | J.f. Wahl Elementary School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Kipp:delta Collegiate High School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Kipp:delta College Prep School | 5.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Kipp Delta Elem Literacy Acad | 3.8 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.7/10
- Median household income
- $39,191
- Median home value
- $99,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 37%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Helena compares
Arkansas rank
#91 of 123
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Arkansas avg (6.3)
Median household income
$39k
71% of Arkansas median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Helena, Arkansas
Helena, Arkansas is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.7 out of 10, schools in Helena show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Helena is J.f. Wahl Elementary School with a composite score of 7.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Helena is served by 2 school districts: KIPP DELTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, HELENA / WEST HELENA SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 2,284 students.
Helena's community shows 17% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $39,191. The poverty rate in the area is 24.8%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 541 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.1 |
| 2 | 470 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.8 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 198 students · 6th–8th | 5.9 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 201 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 |
Schools in Helena
Helena, Arkansas · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$39,191
Median Home Value
$99,000
Median Rent
$655/mo
Population
3,971
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
37%
Poverty Rate
24.8%
Community Profile
Helena has a median household income of $39,191. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $99,000, with a median rent of $655/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Arkansas
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Arkansas
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Helena, Arkansas
How many schools are in Helena, Arkansas?
Helena has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Helena, Arkansas?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Helena is 5.7 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Helena, Arkansas?
The top-ranked school in Helena on MySchoolScout is J.f. Wahl Elementary School with a composite score of 7.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Helena, Arkansas?
The top-ranked elementary school in Helena on MySchoolScout is J.f. Wahl Elementary School with a composite score of 7.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Helena, Arkansas?
The top-ranked middle school in Helena on MySchoolScout is Kipp:delta College Prep School with a composite score of 5.9/10.
What is the best high school in Helena, Arkansas?
The top-ranked high school in Helena on MySchoolScout is Kipp:delta Collegiate High School with a composite score of 6.1/10.
How many school districts serve Helena, Arkansas?
Helena is served by 2 school districts: Kipp Delta Public Schools, Helena / West Helena School District.
What is the education level in Helena, Arkansas?
According to Census data, 17% of adults in Helena have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Helena, Arkansas?
The median household income in Helena is approximately $39,191 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Helena, Arkansas?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Helena is 12.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Helena, Arkansas?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Arkansas Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.