Excellent
#760 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 8% in state
Helm Elementary
Elementary School · Golden Plains Unified
PO Box 937, San Joaquin, CA 93660
Enrollment
72
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
72
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#760 of 9,539
In San Joaquin
#1 of 5
public schools
In district
#1 of 5
Golden Plains Unified
School environment
9.6 / 10
Excellent
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Helm Elementary
Elementary School in San Joaquin · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Rio Del Rey High (continuation)
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
San Joaquin Elementary
7.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Helm Elementary
Helm Elementary is a public elementary school in San Joaquin, CA, part of Golden Plains Unified. Helm Elementary serves approximately 72 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Helm Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #760 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Helm Elementary show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.6 · Excellent
- District avg 6.0
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 72 students, Helm Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Helm Elementary 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.
32% of students at Helm Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Helm Elementary — Students at Helm Elementary score 28% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 28 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Helm Elementary Compares
See how Helm Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 937, San Joaquin, CA 93660
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Helm Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Burrel Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Riverdale), a more accessible option. Another option is Houghton-Kearney Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Fresno), a more accessible option. Additionally, Raisin City Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Raisin City), a more accessible option. For more schools in San Joaquin, see our San Joaquin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Del Rey High (Continuation) Helm | 0.0 mi | — |
| San Joaquin Elementary San Joaquin | 7.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Burrel Elementary Riverdale | 6.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Westside Elementary Five Points | 9.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Tranquillity Elementary San Joaquin | 11.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Tranquillity High San Joaquin | 11.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Liberty Elementary Kerman | 13.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Kerman Middle Kerman | 13.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Kerman-Floyd Elementary Kerman | 13.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Kerman Unified Online Kerman | 13.5 mi | 2.3 |
| Enterprise High Kerman | 13.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Kerman High Kerman | 13.9 mi | 6.4 |
| KERMAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kerman | 14.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Goldenrod Elementary Kerman | 13.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Raisin City Elementary Raisin City | 11.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Central Valley Christian Molokan School Kerman | 15.4 mi | — |
| Cantua Elementary San Joaquin | 12.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Sun Empire Elementary Kerman | 16.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Houghton-Kearney Elementary Fresno | 15.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Riverdale Elementary Riverdale | 14.8 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93660 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,318
Median Home Value
$270,800
Median Rent
$1,070/mo
Population
4,062
College Educated
2.2%
Homeownership
37.2%
Poverty Rate
37.1%
Median Age
26.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Grand Island Elementary Grimes, CA | 8.6 |
| McKittrick Elementary Mckittrick, CA | 8.6 |
| Washington Unified Virtual Academy West Sacramento, CA | 8.6 |
| BEVERLY HILLS RESOURCES CORPORATION SCHOOL DBA BEV Los Angeles, CA | 8.5 |
| Camptonville Elementary Camptonville, CA | 8.7 |
| Carpinteria Family Carpinteria, CA | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Helm Elementary
What grades does Helm Elementary serve?
Helm Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Helm Elementary?
Helm Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 72 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Helm Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Helm Elementary is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Helm Elementary rank in CA?
Helm Elementary ranks #760 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Helm Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Helm Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Helm Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Helm Elementary has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Helm Elementary a charter school?
No, Helm Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Helm Elementary a Title I school?
No, Helm Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Helm Elementary?
98.6% of students at Helm Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 72
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Fresno County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.9%
- Phone
- (559) 866-5683
Resources & Links
District
Golden Plains Unified- District Enrollment
- 1,388
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,627
- District Rank
- #1 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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