Below Average
#8587 of 9,539 schools in CA
Helms Middle
Middle School · West Contra Costa Unified
2500 Road 20, San Pablo, CA 94806
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
4.0
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
4.0
Grades
7th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#8,587 of 9,539
In San Pablo
#8 of 9
public schools
In district
#39 of 52
West Contra Costa Unified
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Helms Middle
Middle School in San Pablo · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
St. Paul School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Middle College High
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Helms Middle
Helms Middle is a public middle school in San Pablo, CA, part of West Contra Costa Unified. Helms Middle serves approximately 579 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 22.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Helms Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #8,587 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Helms Middle show 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.0 · Below Average
- District avg 5.8
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Helms Middle runs 22.3:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
43% of students at Helms Middle 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
Helms Middle — Students at Helms Middle score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.6/10.
How Helms Middle Compares
See how Helms Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
2500 Road 20, San Pablo, CA 94806
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Helms Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Middle College High (rated 8.1/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SALESIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Richmond), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SALESIAN COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Richmond), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Pablo, see our San Pablo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| St. Paul School San Pable | 0.5 mi | — |
| Middle College High San Pablo | 0.5 mi | 8.1 |
| SALESIAN HIGH SCHOOL Richmond | 0.7 mi | 7.4 |
| SALESIAN COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL Richmond | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Salesian High School d/b/a Salesian College Preparatory Richmond | 0.7 mi | — |
| Ford Elementary Richmond | 0.8 mi | 3.4 |
| Dover Elementary San Pablo | 0.7 mi | 3.1 |
| Richmond High Richmond | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Highland Elementary Richmond | 0.8 mi | 3.5 |
| Bayview Elementary San Pablo | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy San Pablo | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Riverside Elementary Richmond | 1.0 mi | 3.6 |
| Lake Elementary San Pablo | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Edward M. Downer Elementary San Pablo | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Summit Public School: Tamalpais Richmond | 1.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Aspire Richmond Ca. College Preparatory Academy Oakland | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Elementary Richmond | 1.3 mi | 2.7 |
| Grant Elementary Richmond | 1.4 mi | 3.0 |
| ST DAVID SCHOOL Richmond | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| St. David School Richmond | 1.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94806 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,818
Median Home Value
$582,000
Median Rent
$2,013/mo
Population
61,749
College Educated
22.7%
Homeownership
50.6%
Avg Commute
34.1 min
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Median Age
36.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Equitas Academy #2 Los Angeles, CA | 4.0 |
| Frick United Academy of Language Middle Oakland, CA | 4.0 |
| Gray Avenue Middle Yuba City, CA | 4.0 |
| Herbert Slater Middle Santa Rosa, CA | 4.0 |
| Sinaloa Middle Simi Valley, CA | 4.0 |
| Vista Preparatory Academy Red Bluff, CA | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Helms Middle
What grades does Helms Middle serve?
Helms Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Helms Middle?
Helms Middle has an enrollment of approximately 579 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Helms Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Helms Middle is 22.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Helms Middle rank in CA?
Helms Middle ranks #8,587 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Helms Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Helms Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Helms Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Helms Middle has 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Helms Middle a charter school?
No, Helms Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Helms Middle a Title I school?
No, Helms Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Helms Middle?
96.0% of students at Helms 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 579
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Contra Costa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.8%
- Phone
- (510) 233-3988
Resources & Links
District
West Contra Costa Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,575
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,205
- District Rank
- #39 of 52
Other Schools in This District
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