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Needs Improvement

#599 of 603 schools in MT

East Helena High School

High School · East Helena K-12

PO Box 1280, East Helena, MT 59635

Enrollment

582

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

3.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In East Helena

#5 of 5

public schools

Montana high schools

#141 of 141

In district

#5 of 5

East Helena K-12

About East Helena High School

East Helena High School, nestled in the rural setting of East Helena, Montana, serves students from ninth to twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 582 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1, the school offers individualized attention within its regular public school system. The dedicated staff, consisting of 32 full-time equivalent teachers, works diligently to support each student’s academic journey.

East Helena High School has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks 497th among Montana's 605 schools in terms of state ranking, indicating there is room for improvement in academic performance. The school's average proficiency rates in ELA/Reading stand at 42%, while math proficiency sits at 22%. Despite these figures, the community remains committed to fostering student development and growth.

East Helena High School is situated near a small town, offering students access to both rural tranquility and local amenities.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, East Helena High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 3/4 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics4.8Below Average33%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness2.5Needs Improvement40%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.9Significantly Below Average27%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,320

East Helena High School — Students at East Helena High School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 2 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

How East Helena High School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.1/10
1th percentile in MT
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Environment
1.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

PO Box 1280, East Helena, MT 59635

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering East Helena High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Smith School (rated 8.7/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Helena), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jefferson School (rated 8.2/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Helena), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Central School (rated 7.5/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Helena), which scores notably higher. For more schools in East Helena, see our East Helena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Prickly Pear Elem East Helena 0.5 mi 4.4
Radley Elementary School East Helena 0.8 mi 7.0
East Valley Middle School East Helena 0.8 mi 3.9
HELENA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL East Helena 1.0 mi 5.6
Eastgate School East Helena 1.2 mi 6.2
Warren School Helena 2.8 mi 6.5
Montana City School Clancy 4.6 mi 7.2
Montana City Middle Schl Clancy 4.6 mi 7.3
Smith School Helena 4.1 mi 8.7
INTERMOUNTAIN Helena 4.7 mi
Bryant School Helena 4.7 mi 7.1
Central School Helena 4.8 mi 7.5
Helena High School Helena 4.9 mi 6.7
Jefferson School Helena 5.2 mi 8.2
Helena Middle School Helena 5.2 mi 5.6
Rossiter School Helena 6.1 mi 5.8
BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena 5.5 mi
Four Georgians School Helena 5.7 mi 6.0
MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena 5.9 mi
Hawthorne School Helena 6.2 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59635 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,664

Median Home Value

$356,200

Median Rent

$998/mo

Population

8,382

College Educated

36.7%

Homeownership

83.7%

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

42.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding East Helena High School has a median household income of $73,664. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $356,200, with a median rent of $998/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Hardin High School Hardin, MT 3.4
Lockwood High School Lockwood, MT 3.6
Havre High School Havre, MT 3.9
Ronan High School Ronan, MT 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about East Helena High School

What grades does East Helena High School serve?

East Helena High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend East Helena High School?

East Helena High School has an enrollment of approximately 582 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at East Helena High School?

The student-teacher ratio at East Helena High School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does East Helena High School rank in MT?

East Helena High School is ranked #599 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is East Helena High School's MySchoolScout rating?

East Helena High School has a composite rating of 3.1 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 East Helena High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, East Helena High School has 22.0% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is East Helena High School a charter school?

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

Is East Helena High School a Title I school?

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

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

33.7% of students at East Helena 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

City Safety
High (1,813/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (East Helena). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
582
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Lewis and Clark County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

East Helena K-12
District Enrollment
1,915
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,003
District Rank
#5 of 5

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.

Read our full methodology

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