Average
#233 of 603 schools in MT
Top 39% in state
Capital High School
High School · Helena H S
1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601
Enrollment
1,367
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,367
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Helena
#5 of 15
public schools
Montana high schools
#53 of 141
In district
#1 of 2
Helena H S
About Capital High School
Capital High School serves 1,367 students in grades 9 through 12 in Helena, Montana, offering a traditional public school experience with 85 full-time teachers maintaining a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. The school ranks 344th out of 605 high schools statewide, placing it in the 43rd percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10. Academically, Capital High School has room for growth, with 43% of students performing at or above proficient levels in English Language Arts and 36% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.
These performance levels suggest the school is working to strengthen its academic programs and support student achievement across core subjects. The school draws from a stable community where 52% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $65,696. The neighborhood maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10%, with median home values around $328,500, reflecting a middle-class residential area that values education.
Located on Poplar Street in Helena, Capital High School sits in Montana's capital city, a small urban environment that combines government, education, and outdoor recreation opportunities typical of the Mountain West region.
Score Breakdown
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Capital High School — Students at Capital High School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
16.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 5.9/10.
How Capital High School Compares
See how Capital High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 38% (2019) to 36% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 43% (2022).
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 6.7/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, East Helena High School (rated 3.1/10, 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 | 6.1 |
| Four Georgians School Helena | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| C R Anderson Middle Schl Helena | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena | 1.3 mi | — |
| Hawthorne School Helena | 1.6 mi | 4.5 |
| ST ANDREW SCHOOL Helena | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Kessler Elementary School Helena | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Helena Middle School Helena | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena | 2.1 mi | — |
| Central School Helena | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Helena High School Helena | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Bryant School Helena | 2.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Jefferson School Helena | 2.4 mi | 8.2 |
| INTERMOUNTAIN Helena | 3.0 mi | — |
| Smith School Helena | 3.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Rossiter School Helena | 3.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Jim Darcy School Helena | 6.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Warren School Helena | 4.7 mi | 6.5 |
| HELENA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL East Helena | 6.2 mi | 5.6 |
| East Helena High School East Helena | 6.3 mi | 3.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Capital High School has a median household income of $70,502. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $355,000, with a median rent of $1,023/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 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 |
|---|---|
| Helena High School Helena, MT | 6.7 |
| Flathead High School Kalispell, MT | 6.9 |
| C M Russell High School Great Falls, MT | 6.5 |
| Glacier High School Kalispell, MT | 6.3 |
| Gallatin High School Bozeman, MT | 6.1 |
| Bozeman High School Bozeman, MT | 7.7 |
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 is ranked #233 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Capital High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Capital High School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Capital High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Capital High School has 35.7% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Helena). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (406) 324-2500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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
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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