Average
#5017 of 9,533 schools in CA
Helix High
High School · Helix High District
7323 University Ave., La Mesa, CA 91941
Enrollment
2,544
Student-Teacher
24.2:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,544
Student-Teacher
24.2:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Mesa
#8 of 27
public schools
California high schools
#1,055 of 1,892
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Helix High
Helix High serves 2,544 students in grades 9-12 as a charter school in La Mesa, California. With 105 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 24.2:1. This large suburban high school has earned recognition for its strong academic performance, ranking #702 out of 9,566 California schools and placing in the 93rd percentile statewide.
Students at Helix High demonstrate solid academic achievement, with 83% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 65% reaching proficiency in mathematics. The school's 9.4/10 academic score reflects its commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success. As a charter school, Helix High operates with additional flexibility in its educational approach while serving the diverse needs of its large student body.
The school draws from a well-established community where 45% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $107,055. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 8.7% and median home values of $842,300 reflect the area's economic stability. Helix High sits in the heart of La Mesa's large suburban community in San Diego County, providing students with access to both academic opportunities and the broader resources of the greater San Diego metropolitan area.
What's said publicly about Helix High
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.
Sources (2)
What Parents Should Know
Helix High is a large school with 2,544 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
The student-teacher ratio at Helix High is 24.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Helix High is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Helix High — Students at Helix High score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.
How Helix High Compares
See how Helix High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 64.67% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 78% (2019) to 83.45% (2024).
Location
7323 University Ave., La Mesa, CA 91941
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Helix High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. La Mesa Arts Academy (rated 7.8/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Maryland Avenue Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rolando Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in La Mesa, see our La Mesa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| La Mesa Dale Elementary La Mesa | 0.3 mi | 6.2 |
| La Mesa Arts Academy La Mesa | 0.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Vista La Mesa Academy La Mesa | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Lemon Grove Academy Elementary Lemon Grove | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| An-Nur Learning Academy La Mesa | 1.0 mi | — |
| Rolando Elementary La Mesa | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN ELEMENTARY La Mesa | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| St. John of the Cross School Lemon Grove | 1.0 mi | — |
| Lemon Grove Academy for the Sciences and Humanities Lemon Grove | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| ST MARTIN OF TOURS ACADEMY La Mesa | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Brookshire International Academy La Mesa | 1.0 mi | — |
| BROOKSHIRE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Lemon Grove | 1.1 mi | 4.3 |
| TAPROOT MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN La Mesa | 1.3 mi | — |
| Rolando Park Elementary San Diego | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| EXCELSIOR ACADEMY La Mesa | 1.4 mi | — |
| Harriet Tubman Village Charter San Diego | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| San Miguel Elementary Lemon Grove | 1.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Acton Academy San Diego East La Mesa | 1.3 mi | — |
| Maryland Avenue Elementary La Mesa | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| The Learning Choice Academy - East County La Mesa | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91941 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$111,607
Median Home Value
$884,800
Median Rent
$2,067/mo
Population
33,706
College Educated
45.9%
Homeownership
65.5%
Avg Commute
26.4 min
Poverty Rate
7%
Median Age
41.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Helix High has a median household income of $111,607. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $884,800, with a median rent of $2,067/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Ernest Righetti High Santa Maria, CA | 6.2 |
| Lakeside High Lake Elsinore, CA | 6.2 |
| Mission Hills High San Marcos, CA | 6.2 |
| Oceanside High Oceanside, CA | 6.2 |
| Pacheco High Los Banos, CA | 6.2 |
| Phineas Banning Senior High Wilmington, CA | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Helix High
What grades does Helix High serve?
Helix High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Helix High?
Helix High has an enrollment of approximately 2,544 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Helix High?
The student-teacher ratio at Helix High is 24.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Helix High rank in CA?
Helix High is ranked #5017 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Helix High's MySchoolScout rating?
Helix High has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Helix High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Helix High has 67.1% math proficiency and 81.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Helix High a charter school?
Yes, Helix High is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Helix High a Title I school?
No, Helix High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Helix High?
66.8% of students at Helix High 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
- Walk Score
- 60 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 37 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 41 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,806/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (La Mesa). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,544
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 105
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (619) 644-1940
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Helix High District- District Enrollment
- 2,544
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,194
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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
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