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
Enrollment
72
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Helm Elementary — Students at Helm Elementary score 28% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).
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 6 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: 7.8/10.
How Helm Elementary Compares
See how Helm Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 21.95% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 34.15% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (559) 866-5683
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Golden Plains Unified- District Enrollment
- 1,388
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,627
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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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