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Very Good

#106 of 603 schools in MT

Top 17% in state

Hawthorne School

Elementary School · Helena Elem

1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601

Enrollment

210

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#106 of 603

In Helena

#4 of 15

public schools

In district

#4 of 13

Helena Elem

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Hawthorne School

7.9/10

Elementary School in Helena · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mountainside Montessori

Nearby

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

Broadwater School

4.6/10

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

About Hawthorne School

Hawthorne School is a public elementary school in Helena, MT, part of Helena Elem. Hawthorne School serves approximately 210 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Hawthorne School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #106 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Hawthorne School show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.9 pts above district
  • This school 7.9 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.0
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

34% of students at Hawthorne 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 metrics
Student Progress9.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.86 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency45% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
Resources & Environment6.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,752
Chronic Absenteeism33.8%

Hawthorne School — Students at Hawthorne School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

12.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 56.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 64.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
52%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
47%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Hawthorne School Compares

See how Hawthorne School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
83th percentile in MT
Academic
6.9/10
Average
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
6.0/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hawthorne School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jefferson School (rated 8.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Smith School (rated 8.5/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Warren School (rated 8.0/10, 5.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Helena, see our Helena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.4 mi
School Distance Rating
MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena 0.6 mi
Broadwater School Helena 0.8 mi 4.6
C R Anderson Middle Schl Helena 0.7 mi 6.4
BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena 0.8 mi
Helena Middle School Helena 1.0 mi 6.7
Capital High School Helena 1.6 mi 6.3
Jefferson School Helena 1.2 mi 8.9
ST ANDREW SCHOOL Helena 1.3 mi 6.2
Four Georgians School Helena 1.8 mi 6.9
Helena High School Helena 1.3 mi 6.1
Central School Helena 1.6 mi 7.7
Bryant School Helena 1.5 mi 5.4
Kessler Elementary School Helena 1.7 mi 6.1
INTERMOUNTAIN Helena 1.9 mi
Smith School Helena 2.2 mi 8.5
Rossiter School Helena 5.0 mi 7.4
Warren School Helena 5.3 mi 8.0
Jim Darcy School Helena 7.9 mi 5.7
Montana City School Clancy 6.4 mi 7.2
Montana City Middle Schl Clancy 6.4 mi 6.7

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
Chester-Joplin-Inverness Schl Chester, MT 7.9
Lakeside Elementary School Somers, MT 7.9
MISSOULA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Missoula, MT 7.9
Scobey School Scobey, MT 7.9
Chief Joseph School Great Falls, MT 8.0
Lone Rock School Stevensville, MT 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hawthorne School

What grades does Hawthorne School serve?

Hawthorne School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Hawthorne School?

Hawthorne School has an enrollment of approximately 210 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hawthorne School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hawthorne School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hawthorne School rank in MT?

Hawthorne School ranks #106 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Hawthorne School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hawthorne School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 Hawthorne School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hawthorne School has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Hawthorne School a charter school?

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

Is Hawthorne School a Title I school?

No, Hawthorne School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hawthorne School?

12.9% of students at Hawthorne 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
77 Very Walkable
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
210
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
12.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Lewis and Clark County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.8%

District

Helena Elem
District Enrollment
5,173
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,752
District Rank
#4 of 13

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