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Very Good

#1795 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 19% in state

Helm Elementary

Elementary School · Golden Plains Unified

PO Box 937, San Joaquin, CA 93660

Enrollment

72

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Joaquin

#2 of 5

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,256 of 5,817

In district

#2 of 5

Golden Plains Unified

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Helm Elementary

Helm Elementary is a rural public school nestled in the heart of San Joaquin, California. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, Helm Elementary provides an intimate learning environment with only 72 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1. The school offers personalized attention from its five full-time equivalent teachers.

Helm Elementary's academic performance shows room for growth, as indicated by the MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and state ranking at #5171 out of 9,566 schools in California (46th percentile). In terms of proficiency levels, 31% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 22% meet the standards for math. Despite these numbers, Helm Elementary remains committed to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment that encourages student development.

Helm Elementary stands out as part of a close-knit rural community where everyone knows each other's names, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for both students and families alike.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 72 students, Helm Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Helm Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.6Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.1%
Math vs. State Avg-13.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13 pts
Overall Proficiency28%
Expected (poverty-adj.)18%
vs. Expected+9.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,397

Helm Elementary — Students at Helm Elementary score 28% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
35.6%
ELA Proficiency 31.1%
School
State
47.1%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2024
Math
22%
ELA
34.2%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Helm Elementary Compares

See how Helm Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
81th percentile in CA
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

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. San Joaquin Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 7.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Raisin City Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Raisin City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Tranquillity Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 11.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 8.1
Burrel Elementary Riverdale 6.7 mi 7.2
Westside Elementary Five Points 9.5 mi 6.2
Tranquillity Elementary San Joaquin 11.5 mi 7.8
Tranquillity High San Joaquin 11.6 mi 4.8
Liberty Elementary Kerman 13.3 mi 6.2
Kerman Middle Kerman 13.4 mi 5.9
Kerman-Floyd Elementary Kerman 13.5 mi 5.4
Kerman Unified Online Kerman 13.5 mi 4.2
Enterprise High Kerman 13.7 mi 5.6
Kerman High Kerman 13.9 mi 5.4
KERMAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kerman 14.0 mi 4.2
Goldenrod Elementary Kerman 13.9 mi 6.4
Raisin City Elementary Raisin City 11.7 mi 7.9
Central Valley Christian Molokan School Kerman 15.4 mi
Cantua Elementary San Joaquin 12.5 mi 6.4
Sun Empire Elementary Kerman 16.6 mi 4.3
Houghton-Kearney Elementary Fresno 15.7 mi 6.6
Riverdale Elementary Riverdale 14.8 mi 7.5

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Helm Elementary has a median household income of $54,318. It is a community where 2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $270,800, with a median rent of $1,070/month. The area has a poverty rate of 37.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Creston Elementary Creston, CA 7.8
Fairfield Elementary Davis, CA 7.8
GRANADA PREPARATORY SCHOOL Northridge, CA 7.8
Garza (Carmen Lomas) Primary Center Los Angeles, CA 7.8
HOLLISTER CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Hollister, CA 7.8
MIRAMONTE SCHOOL Los Altos, CA 7.8

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 is ranked #1795 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Helm Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Helm Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Helm Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Helm Elementary has 22.0% math proficiency and 31.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (398/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Golden Plains Unified
District Enrollment
1,388
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,627
District Rank
#2 of 5

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 methodology

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