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Average

#303 of 603 schools in MT

Capital High School

High School · Helena H S

1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601

Enrollment

1,367

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

6.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#303 of 603

In Helena

#10 of 15

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Helena H S

Academic growth

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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Capital High School

6.3/10

High School in Helena · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Broadwater School

4.6/10

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

Four Georgians School

6.9/10

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

About Capital High School

Capital High School is a public high school in Helena, MT, part of Helena H S. Capital High School serves approximately 1,367 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Capital High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #303 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Capital High School show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.3 · Average
  • District avg 6.2
  • MT avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

32% of students at Capital High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change-2.56 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-9.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
College Readiness5.6Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%
AP Participation23%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,044
Chronic Absenteeism32%

Capital High School — Students at Capital High School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 43.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 22 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
56%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
58%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
56%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
55%
ELA
83%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
61%
2017
Math
40%
ELA
56%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
54%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
54%
2020*
Math
33%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
33%
ELA
53%
2022
Math
36%
ELA
43%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Capital High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
50th percentile in MT
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
5.2/10
Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2
Sports
18
9 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
85 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.0%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
23% participation·State avg: 2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics18sports offered
9 boys'·9 girls'·38 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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 Capital High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Helena High School (rated 6.1/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, East Helena High School (rated 2.5/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby East Helena), a more accessible option. For more schools in Helena, see our Helena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Broadwater School Helena 0.8 mi 4.6
Four Georgians School Helena 0.7 mi 6.9
C R Anderson Middle Schl Helena 1.1 mi 6.4
BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena 1.3 mi
Hawthorne School Helena 1.6 mi 7.9
ST ANDREW SCHOOL Helena 1.3 mi 6.2
Kessler Elementary School Helena 1.3 mi 6.1
Helena Middle School Helena 1.7 mi 6.7
MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena 2.1 mi
Central School Helena 1.6 mi 7.7
Helena High School Helena 1.9 mi 6.1
Bryant School Helena 2.1 mi 5.4
Jefferson School Helena 2.4 mi 8.9
INTERMOUNTAIN Helena 3.0 mi
Smith School Helena 3.0 mi 8.5
Rossiter School Helena 3.5 mi 7.4
Jim Darcy School Helena 6.3 mi 5.7
Warren School Helena 4.7 mi 8.0
HELENA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL East Helena 6.2 mi 5.6
East Helena High School East Helena 6.3 mi 2.5

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 High School Missoula, MT 6.1
Helena High School Helena, MT 6.1
Hellgate High School Missoula, MT 6.5
Gallatin High School Bozeman, MT 6.0
Glacier High School Kalispell, MT 6.0
Belgrade High School Belgrade, MT 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Capital High School

What grades does Capital High School serve?

Capital High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Capital High School?

Capital High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,367 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Capital High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Capital High School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Capital High School rank in MT?

Capital High School ranks #303 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Capital High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Capital High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Capital High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Capital High School has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Capital High School a charter school?

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

Is Capital High School a Title I school?

No, Capital High School is not currently a Title I school.

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

16.4% of students at Capital High 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
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,367
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
85
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Lewis and Clark County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.0%
4-Year Graduation
90.0%

District

Helena H S
District Enrollment
2,454
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,044
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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