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Very Good

#551 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 41% in state

Helena High School

High School · Shelby County

1310 Hillsboro Parkway, Helena, AL 35080

Enrollment

1,419

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#551 of 1,356

In Helena

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#17 of 29

Shelby County

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Helena High School

7.1/10

High School in Helena · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Helena Middle

6.1/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Primrose School of Riverwoods

Nearby

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Helena High School

Helena High School is a public high school in Helena, AL, part of Shelby County. Helena High School serves approximately 1,419 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Helena High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #551 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Helena High School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2022).

How it compares1.2 pts above district
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • District avg 5.9
  • AL avg 5.1

What Parents Should Know

Helena High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data9
Annual Change-1.13 pts/yr
Data Period2014–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency39% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)66% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-27.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate96%
AP Participation35%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,436
Chronic Absenteeism18.3%

Helena High School — Students at Helena High School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.0% (multi-year average, 2014-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.4% (multi-year average, 2014-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 18 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2014
Math
33%
ELA
81%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
36%
ELA
45%
2017
Math
70%
ELA
68%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
64%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
64%
2020*
Math
38%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
34%
ELA
43%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Helena High School Compares

See how Helena High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
59th percentile in AL
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
9.5/10
Excellent
Environment
6.1/10
Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.5
Sports
3
1 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
78 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
35% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics3sports offered
1 boys'·2 girls'·39 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.4/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Pelham), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Thompson High School (rated 7.2/10, 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 6.1
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF RIVERWOODS Helena 1.1 mi
Helena Intermediate School Helena 1.1 mi 7.8
Helena Elementary School Helena 1.7 mi 8.3
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 9.6
ALABASTER WEEKDAY EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM Alabaster 3.2 mi 3.0
Robert F Bumpus Middle School Hoover 3.9 mi 8.6
Thompson High School Alabaster 4.0 mi 7.2
Pelham High School Pelham 3.8 mi 7.4
South Shades Crest Elementary School Hoover 4.3 mi 8.8
Thompson Middle School Alabaster 4.4 mi 7.8
Thompson Intermediate School Alabaster 4.5 mi 8.0
Pelham Park Middle School Pelham 4.1 mi 7.5
Trace Crossings Elementary School Hoover 4.7 mi 9.0
Brocks Gap Intermediate School Hoover 4.8 mi 9.5
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Oak Mountain High School Birmingham, AL 7.1
Pelham High School Pelham, AL 7.4
Cullman High School Cullman, AL 6.7
Fairhope High School Fairhope, AL 6.7
Gulf Shores High School Gulf Shores, AL 7.5
Hartselle High School Hartselle, AL 7.5

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 ranks #551 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Helena High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Helena High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Helena High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Helena High School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
10 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.3%
4-Year Graduation
96.0%

District

Shelby County
District Enrollment
20,937
Schools in District
33
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,436
District Rank
#17 of 29

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