Very Good
#115 of 603 schools in MT
Top 19% in state
Central School
Elementary School · Helena Elem
1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Helena
#3 of 15
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#73 of 319
In district
#3 of 13
Helena Elem
Academic performance
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Central School
Central School is an elementary school in Helena, Montana, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a total enrollment of 284 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1, the school provides a relatively small class size that allows for individual attention. Central School is well-staffed with 21 full-time equivalent teachers who work to ensure each child's educational needs are met.
The school’s academic performance, as measured by MySchoolScout, places it at a rating of 6.9 out of 10 and the state ranking of #106 out of 605 schools in Montana, placing it in the 83rd percentile. Central School's reading proficiency stands at 49% and math proficiency at 40%, indicating areas for continued academic growth. Central School is situated in a small city setting within Lewis and Clark County, providing a community-focused educational environment.
The school aims to nurture young minds with a supportive atmosphere that encourages both learning and personal development.
Score Breakdown
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Central School — Students at Central School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.5%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How Central School Compares
See how Central School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Smith School (rated 8.7/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jefferson School (rated 8.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bryant School (rated 7.1/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Helena, see our Helena schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bryant School Helena | 0.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Helena High School Helena | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Helena Middle School Helena | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena | 0.8 mi | — |
| Four Georgians School Helena | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Jefferson School Helena | 1.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Smith School Helena | 1.5 mi | 8.7 |
| INTERMOUNTAIN Helena | 1.8 mi | — |
| MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena | 1.7 mi | — |
| Broadwater School Helena | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Hawthorne School Helena | 1.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Capital High School Helena | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| C R Anderson Middle Schl Helena | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| ST ANDREW SCHOOL Helena | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Rossiter School Helena | 3.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Kessler Elementary School Helena | 2.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Warren School Helena | 3.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Jim Darcy School Helena | 7.0 mi | 3.7 |
| HELENA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL East Helena | 4.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Radley Elementary School East Helena | 4.8 mi | 7.0 |
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 Central 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 |
|---|---|
| Fred W Graff School Laurel, MT | 7.5 |
| Russell School Missoula, MT | 7.5 |
| West Side Elementary Sidney, MT | 7.5 |
| Beartooth School Billings, MT | 7.3 |
| Hellgate El Primary Grades Missoula, MT | 7.3 |
| Highland School Billings, MT | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central School
What grades does Central School serve?
Central School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Central School?
Central School has an enrollment of approximately 284 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central School rank in MT?
Central School is ranked #115 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Central School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Central School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central School has 40.3% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central School a charter school?
No, Central School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central School a Title I school?
No, Central School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central School?
41.5% of students at Central 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 284
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Lewis and Clark County
- Phone
- (406) 324-1230
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Helena Elem- District Enrollment
- 5,173
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,752
- District Rank
- #3 of 13
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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