Below Average
#1237 of 1,356 schools in AL
Helena Middle
Middle School · Shelby County
1299 Hillsboro Pkwy, Helena, AL 35080
Enrollment
988
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
4.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
988
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
4.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Helena
#4 of 4
public schools
Alabama middle schools
#228 of 262
In district
#28 of 29
Shelby County
About Helena Middle
Helena Middle serves 988 students in grades 6-8 in Helena, Alabama, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 18.3:1 and 54 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 66th percentile statewide, placing #465 out of 1,360 Alabama schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10. Academically, Helena Middle shows strong performance in English Language Arts, with 64% of students achieving proficient or above levels across all grades.
Mathematics presents an area with significant room for growth, as 24% of students currently meet proficiency standards. The school's overall academic score of 7.4 out of 10 reflects this mixed performance profile. The school draws from an affluent community in the 35080 ZIP code, where families enjoy a median household income of $106,660 and median home values of $256,100.
With 48% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a remarkably low poverty rate of just 3%, the surrounding area provides a strong foundation of educational support and resources for students. Helena Middle is situated in a rural setting near the town of Helena in Shelby County, offering students a blend of small-town community feel with access to the broader Birmingham metropolitan area's opportunities and resources.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Helena Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Helena Middle — Students at Helena Middle score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.4%
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: 2.6/10.
How Helena Middle Compares
See how Helena Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 24% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 64% (2022).
Location
1299 Hillsboro Pkwy, Helena, AL 35080
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Helena Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Robert F Bumpus Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Hoover), which scores notably higher. Another option is Thompson Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Alabaster), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pelham Park Middle School (rated 5.7/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Pelham), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Helena, see our Helena schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Helena High School Helena | 0.2 mi | 5.7 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF RIVERWOODS Helena | 1.2 mi | — |
| Helena Intermediate School Helena | 1.2 mi | 7.3 |
| THE HILLSBORO SCHOOL Helena | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Helena Elementary School Helena | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| GOSPEL LIGHT BAPTIST ACADEMY Helena | 1.9 mi | — |
| THE HILLSBORO SCHOOL Helena | 2.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Creek View Elementary School Maylene | 3.5 mi | 9.2 |
| EVANGEL CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alabaster | 3.3 mi | 4.7 |
| ALABASTER WEEKDAY EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM Alabaster | 3.3 mi | 3.0 |
| Robert F Bumpus Middle School Hoover | 3.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Thompson High School Alabaster | 4.0 mi | 5.8 |
| South Shades Crest Elementary School Hoover | 4.3 mi | 9.7 |
| Pelham High School Pelham | 3.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Thompson Middle School Alabaster | 4.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Thompson Intermediate School Alabaster | 4.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Brocks Gap Intermediate School Hoover | 4.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Trace Crossings Elementary School Hoover | 4.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Pelham Park Middle School Pelham | 4.3 mi | 5.7 |
| 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Bessemer City Middle School Bessemer, AL | 4.4 |
| Grand Bay Middle School Grand Bay, AL | 4.4 |
| Prattville Junior High School Prattville, AL | 4.4 |
| McAdory Middle School Mccalla, AL | 4.5 |
| Rainbow Middle School Rainbow City, AL | 4.5 |
| Capitol Heights Middle School Montgomery, AL | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Helena Middle
What grades does Helena Middle serve?
Helena Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Helena Middle?
Helena Middle has an enrollment of approximately 988 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Helena Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Helena Middle is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Helena Middle rank in AL?
Helena Middle is ranked #1237 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Helena Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Helena Middle has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Helena Middle has 35.0% math proficiency and 63.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Helena Middle a charter school?
No, Helena Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Helena Middle a Title I school?
No, Helena Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Helena Middle?
30.4% of students at Helena Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 988
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 54
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Shelby County
- Phone
- (205) 682-5300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Shelby County- District Enrollment
- 20,937
- Schools in District
- 33
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,436
- District Rank
- #28 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.