Very Good
#132 of 603 schools in MT
Top 22% in state
Central School
Elementary School · Helena Elem
1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Montana schools
#132 of 603
In Helena
#5 of 15
public schools
In district
#5 of 13
Helena Elem
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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Central School
Elementary School in Helena · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Bryant School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Helena High School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Central School
Central School is a public elementary school in Helena, MT, part of Helena Elem. Central School serves approximately 284 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Central School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #132 of 603 schools in MT.
Structured state assessment records for Central School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.7 · Very Good
- District avg 7.0
- MT avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
40% of students at Central 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Central School — Students at Central School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
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 26 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: 8.0/10.
How Central School Compares
See how Central School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jefferson School (rated 8.9/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Smith School (rated 8.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Warren School (rated 8.0/10, 3.7 miles away), with a very similar 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 | 5.4 |
| Helena High School Helena | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Helena Middle School Helena | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena | 0.8 mi | — |
| Four Georgians School Helena | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Jefferson School Helena | 1.4 mi | 8.9 |
| Smith School Helena | 1.5 mi | 8.5 |
| INTERMOUNTAIN Helena | 1.8 mi | — |
| MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena | 1.7 mi | — |
| Broadwater School Helena | 1.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Hawthorne School Helena | 1.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Capital High School Helena | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| C R Anderson Middle Schl Helena | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
| ST ANDREW SCHOOL Helena | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Rossiter School Helena | 3.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Kessler Elementary School Helena | 2.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Warren School Helena | 3.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Jim Darcy School Helena | 7.0 mi | 5.7 |
| HELENA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL East Helena | 4.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Radley Elementary School East Helena | 4.8 mi | 7.9 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Whittier School Bozeman, MT | 7.7 |
| Clancy School Clancy, MT | 7.8 |
| Lincoln-McKinley School Havre, MT | 7.8 |
| Manhattan Elem Manhattan, MT | 7.8 |
| Monforton Primary Bozeman, MT | 7.8 |
| Russell School Kalispell, MT | 7.8 |
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 ranks #132 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Central School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Central School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Central School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 39.8%
- Phone
- (406) 324-1230
Resources & Links
District
Helena Elem- District Enrollment
- 5,173
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,752
- District Rank
- #5 of 13
Other Schools in This District
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