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Needs Improvement

#601 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

2.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#601 of 603

In East Helena

#5 of 5

public schools

In district

#5 of 5

East Helena K-12

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East Helena High School

2.5/10

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

Prickly Pear Elem

4.9/10

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

Radley Elementary School

7.9/10

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

About East Helena High School

East Helena High School is a public high school in East Helena, MT, part of East Helena K-12. East Helena High School serves approximately 582 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. East Helena High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and ranks #601 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for East Helena High School show 22% math proficiency (2022 EdFacts) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (2022 EdFacts).

How it compares3.6 pts below MT schools
  • This school 2.5 · Needs Improvement
  • MT avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

East Helena High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

41% of students at East Helena 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

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% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-11.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness1.2Needs Improvement40%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.6Needs Improvement27%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,003
Chronic Absenteeism41.2%

East Helena High School — Students at East Helena High School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

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% (2022 EdFacts)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0% (2022 EdFacts)
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
2.5/10
1th percentile in MT
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
1.6/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2
Sports
18
8 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
6.7% participation·State avg: 2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics18sports offered
8 boys'·10 girls'·27 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Jefferson School (rated 8.9/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Helena), which scores notably higher. Another option is Smith School (rated 8.5/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Helena), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Warren School (rated 8.0/10, 2.8 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 4.9
Radley Elementary School East Helena 0.8 mi 7.9
East Valley Middle School East Helena 0.8 mi 4.7
HELENA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL East Helena 1.0 mi 5.6
Eastgate School East Helena 1.2 mi 5.9
Warren School Helena 2.8 mi 8.0
Montana City School Clancy 4.6 mi 7.2
Montana City Middle Schl Clancy 4.6 mi 6.7
Smith School Helena 4.1 mi 8.5
INTERMOUNTAIN Helena 4.7 mi
Bryant School Helena 4.7 mi 5.4
Central School Helena 4.8 mi 7.7
Helena High School Helena 4.9 mi 6.1
Jefferson School Helena 5.2 mi 8.9
Helena Middle School Helena 5.2 mi 6.7
Rossiter School Helena 6.1 mi 7.4
BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena 5.5 mi
Four Georgians School Helena 5.7 mi 6.9
MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena 5.9 mi
Hawthorne School Helena 6.2 mi 7.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Hardin High School Hardin, MT 2.9
Lockwood High School Lockwood, MT 3.5
Ronan High School Ronan, MT 3.7

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 ranks #601 of 603 schools in MT.

What is East Helena High School's MySchoolScout rating?

East Helena High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 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 East Helena High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, East Helena High School has 22% math proficiency (2022 EdFacts) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (2022 EdFacts).

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

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.2%

District

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

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