Skip to main content

Excellent

#59 of 3,777 schools in FL

Top 2% in state

Mildred Helms Elementary School

Elementary School · PINELLAS

561 CLEARWATER LARGO RD S, Largo, FL 33770

Enrollment

521

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

9.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Largo

#3 of 17

public schools

Florida elementary schools

#55 of 2,196

In district

#12 of 148

PINELLAS

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Mildred Helms Elementary School

Mildred Helms Elementary serves 521 students in Largo, Florida, from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school earns a composite score of 9.0 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — with a particularly strong growth score of 9.7, signaling that students here advance faster than nearly all peers statewide. That growth figure anchors Helms as a standout in a competitive state: the school ranks #59 out of 3,777 Florida public schools, outperforming 98% of the state.

Within Largo, Helms claims the #3 spot among 17 elementary schools. Ranked #55 out of 2,196 Florida elementary schools, it sits in the top tier of programs in the region — not just by composite score, but across multiple dimensions of school quality. Academic performance comes in at 7.7, a strong mark that rounds out a consistently high profile across every measured category.

Class sizes support that momentum. A 13.7-to-1 student-teacher ratio keeps instruction focused and gives teachers more room to respond to individual students. For families weighing Largo's elementary options, Helms is one of the clearest choices in the area — a school where every data point reinforces the same conclusion.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49%
Math vs. State Avg-6.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.2 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected+11.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,582

Mildred Helms Elementary School — Students at Mildred Helms Elementary School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 60.4%
School
State
58.1%
ELA Proficiency 54.6%
School
State
54.2%

Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
54%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
54%
ELA
49%
2024
Math
64.7%
ELA
59.7%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Mildred Helms Elementary School Compares

See how Mildred Helms Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.0/10
99th percentile in FL
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

561 CLEARWATER LARGO RD S, Largo, FL 33770

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mildred Helms Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WALSINGHAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.2/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is SOUTHERN OAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.1/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, PONCE DE LEON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Clearwater), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Largo, see our Largo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.6 mi
School Distance Rating
DROPOUT PREVENTION SCHOOL Largo 0.3 mi 5.4
RIDGECREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Largo 0.9 mi 6.0
LARGO MIDDLE SCHOOL Largo 0.8 mi 6.1
LARGO HIGH SCHOOL Largo 0.9 mi 6.1
ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Largo 1.0 mi 7.8
AMERICAN COLLEGIATE ACADEMY Clearwater 1.6 mi 6.6
BELLEAIR MONTESSORI ACADEMY Belleair 1.6 mi
PONCE DE LEON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clearwater 1.7 mi 8.9
PLATO SEMINOLE Largo 1.8 mi 5.5
FUGUITT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Largo 1.8 mi 8.7
PINELLAS ACADEMY OF MATH AND SCIENCE Largo 2.0 mi 6.4
INDIAN ROCKS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Largo 2.2 mi 4.7
IVA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clearwater 2.3 mi 6.6
BELLEAIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clearwater 2.8 mi 7.8
FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Clearwater 2.7 mi 5.9
ANONA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Largo 2.8 mi 8.5
SOUTHERN OAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Largo 2.9 mi 9.1
ST PAULS SCHOOL Clearwater 2.8 mi 7.6
WALSINGHAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Largo 3.0 mi 9.2
WASHBURN ACADEMY Clearwater 3.6 mi 8.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33770 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,071

Median Home Value

$245,200

Median Rent

$1,481/mo

Population

25,005

College Educated

26%

Homeownership

60.8%

Avg Commute

22.5 min

Poverty Rate

13.7%

Median Age

49.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mildred Helms Elementary School has a median household income of $58,071. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $245,200, with a median rent of $1,481/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
BAY MEADOWS ELEMENTARY Orlando, FL 9.0
EDGEWATER PUBLIC SCHOOL Edgewater, FL 9.0
FAIRLAWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Pierce, FL 9.0
JAMES A. WEBSTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL St. Augustine, FL 9.0
LANIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa, FL 9.0
RALPH M WILLIAMS JUNIOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rockledge, FL 9.0

Compare Mildred Helms Elementary School with similar schools nearby

Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mildred Helms Elementary School

What grades does Mildred Helms Elementary School serve?

Mildred Helms Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Mildred Helms Elementary School?

Mildred Helms Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 521 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mildred Helms Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mildred Helms Elementary School is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mildred Helms Elementary School rank in FL?

Mildred Helms Elementary School is ranked #59 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Mildred Helms Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mildred Helms Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.0 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 Mildred Helms Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mildred Helms Elementary School has 60.4% math proficiency and 54.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mildred Helms Elementary School a charter school?

No, Mildred Helms Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mildred Helms Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Mildred Helms Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mildred Helms Elementary School?

67.9% of students at Mildred Helms Elementary School 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
72 Very Walkable
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
73 Very Bikeable
County Safety
Average (277/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Compare This School

How does Mildred Helms Elementary School stack up?

WALSINGHAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
9.2

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
521
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Pinellas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

PINELLAS
District Enrollment
91,021
Schools in District
153
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,514
District Rank
#12 of 148

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.