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Below Average

#501 of 603 schools in MT

Broadwater School

Elementary School · Helena Elem

1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601

Enrollment

247

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#501 of 603

In Helena

#15 of 15

public schools

In district

#13 of 13

Helena Elem

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Broadwater School

4.6/10

Elementary School in Helena · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

C R Anderson Middle Schl

6.4/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Capital High School

6.3/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Broadwater School

Broadwater School is a public elementary school in Helena, MT, part of Helena Elem. Broadwater School serves approximately 247 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Broadwater School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #501 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Broadwater School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.4 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 7.0
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

46% of students at Broadwater School 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 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.16 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency35% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,752
Chronic Absenteeism46.2%

Broadwater School — Students at Broadwater School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
62%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
42%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Broadwater School Compares

See how Broadwater School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
17th percentile in MT
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
4.1/10
Below Average
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Broadwater School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jefferson School (rated 8.9/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Smith School (rated 8.5/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Warren School (rated 8.0/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Helena, see our Helena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.9 mi
School Distance Rating
C R Anderson Middle Schl Helena 0.5 mi 6.4
Capital High School Helena 0.8 mi 6.3
Hawthorne School Helena 0.8 mi 7.9
BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena 0.7 mi
Four Georgians School Helena 1.0 mi 6.9
MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena 1.3 mi
Helena Middle School Helena 1.1 mi 6.7
ST ANDREW SCHOOL Helena 1.1 mi 6.2
Kessler Elementary School Helena 1.3 mi 6.1
Central School Helena 1.3 mi 7.7
Helena High School Helena 1.4 mi 6.1
Jefferson School Helena 1.7 mi 8.9
Bryant School Helena 1.6 mi 5.4
INTERMOUNTAIN Helena 2.4 mi
Smith School Helena 2.5 mi 8.5
Rossiter School Helena 4.2 mi 7.4
Warren School Helena 4.9 mi 8.0
Jim Darcy School Helena 7.1 mi 5.7
Montana City School Clancy 6.9 mi 7.2
Montana City Middle Schl Clancy 6.9 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,502

Median Home Value

$355,000

Median Rent

$1,023/mo

Population

31,822

College Educated

50.9%

Homeownership

56.8%

Avg Commute

13.9 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

41.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Big Sky Elementary Billings, MT 4.6
Kennedy School Butte, MT 4.6
Miles Avenue School Billings, MT 4.6
Newman School Billings, MT 4.6
Blue Creek School Billings, MT 4.5
Lewis & Clark School Great Falls, MT 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Broadwater School

What grades does Broadwater School serve?

Broadwater School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Broadwater School?

Broadwater School has an enrollment of approximately 247 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Broadwater School?

The student-teacher ratio at Broadwater School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Broadwater School rank in MT?

Broadwater School ranks #501 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Broadwater School's MySchoolScout rating?

Broadwater School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Broadwater School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Broadwater School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Broadwater School a charter school?

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

Is Broadwater School a Title I school?

No, Broadwater School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Broadwater School?

44.5% of students at Broadwater 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
66 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
247
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Lewis and Clark County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.2%

District

Helena Elem
District Enrollment
5,173
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,752
District Rank
#13 of 13

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