Skip to main content

Below Average

#2059 of 2,216 schools in MO

Helena Elem.

Elementary School · SAVANNAH R-III

21080 OSAGE ST, Helena, MO 64459

Enrollment

90

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

4.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Missouri elementary schools

#1,101 of 1,202

In district

#6 of 7

SAVANNAH R-III

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Helena Elem.

Helena Elementary serves 90 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in the small rural community of Helena, Missouri. With just seven full-time teachers, the school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1, allowing for personalized attention and strong teacher-student relationships. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.4 out of 10 rating and ranking in the 87th percentile statewide at #286 out of 2,234 Missouri elementary schools.

Students show consistent achievement across core subjects, with 54% performing at proficient or above levels in both English Language Arts and mathematics. This academic success reflects the school's focused approach to elementary education in a close-knit setting. Helena Elementary draws from a stable rural community where the median household income of $72,663 supports family engagement in education.

The neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of 10.1%, contributing to a supportive environment for student learning. With a ZIP code population of just 411 residents, families often know each other well, creating a tight community network around the school. Located on Osage Street in Andrew County, Helena Elementary offers the advantages of small-school education where every student is known by name, set within Missouri's peaceful rural landscape.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 90 students, Helena Elem. 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, Helena Elem. 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 Progress1.3Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-10.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+10.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,097

Helena Elem. — Students at Helena Elem. score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 64.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 67.8%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How Helena Elem. Compares

See how Helena Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.1/10
7th percentile in MO
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

21080 OSAGE ST, Helena, MO 64459

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Helena Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. AVENUE CITY ELEM. (rated 8.0/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Cosby), which scores notably higher. Another option is ELLISON ELEM. (rated 8.0/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby St. Joseph), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KING CITY ELEM. (rated 8.0/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby King City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Helena, see our Helena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.6 mi
School Distance Rating
UNION STAR ELEM. Union Star 5.5 mi 6.6
UNION STAR HIGH Union Star 5.5 mi 7.7
UNION STAR PRESCHOOL Union Star 5.5 mi
AVENUE CITY ELEM. Cosby 6.3 mi 8.0
ELLISON ELEM. St. Joseph 10.0 mi 8.0
HOSANNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL St. Joseph 8.7 mi
OAK GROVE ELEM St. Joseph 9.9 mi 7.4
SAVANNAH HIGH Savannah 9.0 mi 5.5
ST JOSEPH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL St. Joseph 10.4 mi 6.2
JOHN GLENN ELEM. St. Joseph 10.3 mi 5.8
EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CTR Savannah 9.8 mi 5.3
MINNIE CLINE ELEM. Savannah 9.8 mi 2.8
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL St. Joseph 11.6 mi 4.8
RIVERBEND TREATMENT CTR. St. Joseph 12.2 mi
EAST BUCHANAN MIDDLE Easton 13.1 mi 7.9
KING CITY ELEM. King City 12.0 mi 8.0
KING CITY HIGH King City 12.0 mi 7.8
SAVANNAH MIDDLE Savannah 10.5 mi 7.1
PRESCOTT SDA SCHOOL St. Joseph 12.7 mi
PERSHING ELEM. St. Joseph 11.6 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 64459 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,462

Median Home Value

$184,700

Population

502

College Educated

28.5%

Homeownership

91.9%

Poverty Rate

7.7%

Median Age

31.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Helena Elem. has a median household income of $75,462. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $184,700. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
FRANKFORD ELEM. Frankford, MO 4.1
BELL CITY ELEM. Bell City, MO 4.0
LINN CO. ELEM. Purdin, MO 4.0
RIPLEY CO. ELEM. Doniphan, MO 4.0
ST ALPHONSUS SCHOOL Silex, MO 4.2
UNITED IN CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Frohna, MO 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Helena Elem.

What grades does Helena Elem. serve?

Helena Elem. serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Helena Elem.?

Helena Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 90 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Helena Elem.?

The student-teacher ratio at Helena Elem. is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Helena Elem. rank in MO?

Helena Elem. is ranked #2059 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Helena Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?

Helena Elem. has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Helena Elem.?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Helena Elem. has 64.5% math proficiency and 67.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Helena Elem. a charter school?

No, Helena Elem. is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Helena Elem. a Title I school?

No, Helena Elem. is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Helena Elem.?

41.1% of students at Helena Elem. 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

County Safety
Average (492/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
90
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Andrew County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SAVANNAH R-III
District Enrollment
2,368
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,704
District Rank
#6 of 7

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.