Below Average
#8085 of 9,533 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
4.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
4.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Pablo
#6 of 9
public schools
California middle schools
#1,200 of 1,349
In district
#40 of 52
West Contra Costa Unified
School environment
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Helms Middle
Helms Middle is a regular public middle school located in San Pablo, California, within Contra Costa County. The school serves students in grades seven and eight, with an enrollment of 579 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 22.3:1. Helms Middle offers a supportive learning environment with 26 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to its diverse student body.
The academic performance data shows that the school has room for improvement, ranking at the 4th percentile statewide among California's schools. Specifically, only 13% of students are proficient in English language arts and reading, while just 5% meet proficiency standards in math. Despite these challenges, Helms Middle continues to focus on student development and growth.
Helms Middle is situated in a large suburban area, offering a community setting that blends urban and rural elements. The neighborhood surrounding the school provides a mix of residential homes and local amenities, fostering a sense of community among students and families.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Helms Middle is 22.3:1, 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.
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 8 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: 5.1/10.
How Helms Middle Compares
See how Helms Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 7% (2019) to 4.76% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 9.98% (2024).
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 7.6/10, 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 | 7.6 |
| 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 | 5.5 |
| Dover Elementary San Pablo | 0.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Richmond High Richmond | 0.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Highland Elementary Richmond | 0.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Bayview Elementary San Pablo | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Vista Independent Study / Virtual Academy San Pablo | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Riverside Elementary Richmond | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Lake Elementary San Pablo | 1.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Edward M. Downer Elementary San Pablo | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Summit Public School: Tamalpais Richmond | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Aspire Richmond Ca. College Preparatory Academy Oakland | 1.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Elementary Richmond | 1.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Grant Elementary Richmond | 1.4 mi | 4.1 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Helms Middle has a median household income of $82,818. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $582,000, with a median rent of $2,013/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Antioch Middle Antioch, CA | 4.7 |
| Freedom Middle Bakersfield, CA | 4.7 |
| Gray Avenue Middle Yuba City, CA | 4.7 |
| John Muir Middle Corcoran, CA | 4.7 |
| Joseph George Middle San Jose, CA | 4.7 |
| KIPP Los Angeles College Preparatory Los Angeles, CA | 4.7 |
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 is ranked #8085 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Helms Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Helms Middle has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Helms Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Helms Middle has 5.3% math proficiency and 13.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,196/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Pablo). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (510) 233-3988
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Contra Costa Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,575
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,205
- District Rank
- #40 of 52
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.
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