Average
#954 of 1,356 schools in AL
Helena High School
High School · Shelby County
1310 Hillsboro Parkway, Helena, AL 35080
Enrollment
1,419
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,419
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Helena
#3 of 4
public schools
Alabama high schools
#112 of 308
In district
#23 of 29
Shelby County
About Helena High School
Helena High School serves 1,419 students in grades 9-12 in Helena, Alabama, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1 across 78 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #598 out of 1,360 Alabama high schools, placing it in the 56th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10. Academically, Helena High shows room for growth, with 43% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and 34% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.
The school's academic score of 6.6 out of 10 reflects opportunities for continued focus on student achievement and educational development. The school draws from an affluent community in ZIP code 35080, where the median household income reaches $106,660 and nearly half of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a low poverty rate of just 3% and median home values around $256,100, the area demonstrates strong economic stability.
This well-educated, prosperous community of approximately 19,561 residents provides a supportive foundation for student success. Helena High School sits in a rural setting near the town of Helena in Shelby County, offering students a blend of small-town atmosphere with proximity to educational and cultural opportunities in the greater Birmingham metropolitan area.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Helena High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Helena High School — Students at Helena High School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.8/10.
How Helena High School Compares
See how Helena High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 34% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 43% (2022).
Location
1310 Hillsboro Parkway, Helena, AL 35080
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Helena High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pelham High School (rated 6.6/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Pelham), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Thompson High School (rated 5.8/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Alabaster), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Helena, see our Helena schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Helena Middle Helena | 0.2 mi | 4.4 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF RIVERWOODS Helena | 1.1 mi | — |
| Helena Intermediate School Helena | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Helena Elementary School Helena | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| GOSPEL LIGHT BAPTIST ACADEMY Helena | 1.7 mi | — |
| THE HILLSBORO SCHOOL Helena | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| THE HILLSBORO SCHOOL Helena | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| EVANGEL CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alabaster | 3.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Creek View Elementary School Maylene | 3.5 mi | 9.2 |
| ALABASTER WEEKDAY EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM Alabaster | 3.2 mi | 3.0 |
| Robert F Bumpus Middle School Hoover | 3.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Thompson High School Alabaster | 4.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Pelham High School Pelham | 3.8 mi | 6.6 |
| South Shades Crest Elementary School Hoover | 4.3 mi | 9.7 |
| Thompson Middle School Alabaster | 4.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Thompson Intermediate School Alabaster | 4.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Pelham Park Middle School Pelham | 4.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Trace Crossings Elementary School Hoover | 4.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Brocks Gap Intermediate School Hoover | 4.8 mi | 8.8 |
| THE DAY PROGRAM Alabaster | 4.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35080 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$111,871
Median Home Value
$278,500
Median Rent
$1,611/mo
Population
19,808
College Educated
47.6%
Homeownership
91.3%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Median Age
35.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Helena High School has a median household income of $111,871. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $278,500, with a median rent of $1,611/month. The local poverty rate of 3.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Buckhorn High School New Market, AL | 5.8 |
| Spanish Fort High School Spanish Fort, AL | 5.8 |
| Northridge High School Tuscaloosa, AL | 5.6 |
| Austin High School Decatur, AL | 5.9 |
| Baldwin County High School Bay Minette, AL | 5.9 |
| Gardendale High School Gardendale, AL | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Helena High School
What grades does Helena High School serve?
Helena High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Helena High School?
Helena High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,419 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Helena High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Helena High School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Helena High School rank in AL?
Helena High School is ranked #954 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Helena High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Helena High School has a composite rating of 5.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Helena High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Helena High School has 44.7% math proficiency and 49.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Helena High School a charter school?
No, Helena High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Helena High School a Title I school?
No, Helena High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Helena High School?
28.6% of students at Helena High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Helena). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,419
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 78
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 28.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Shelby County
- Phone
- (205) 682-3650
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Shelby County- District Enrollment
- 20,937
- Schools in District
- 33
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,436
- District Rank
- #23 of 29
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.