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Below Average

#557 of 603 schools in MT

Helena Flats School

Elementary School · Helena Flats Elem

1000 Helena Flats Road, Kalispell, MT 59901

Enrollment

240

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kalispell

#21 of 22

public schools

Montana elementary schools

#297 of 319

In district

#1 of 2

Helena Flats Elem

About Helena Flats School

Helena Flats School is a rural elementary school in Kalispell, Montana, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 240 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 16:1, the school provides individualized attention to help each child thrive. The dedicated teaching staff includes 15 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students’ academic and social development.

While Helena Flats School’s MySchoolScout rating is currently 3.6 out of 10 and its state ranking is #542 out of 605 schools in Montana (11th percentile), the school focuses on student development with a particular emphasis on literacy and mathematics, though there is room for academic growth. On average, 42% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 32% in Math. The school’s setting offers a close-knit community feel, situated near Helena Flats Road in a rural area just outside Kalispell.

This location provides a peaceful environment conducive to learning and growth for its young students.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Helena Flats 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-15.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,793

Helena Flats School — Students at Helena Flats School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
37%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Helena Flats School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
8th percentile in MT
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
2.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

1000 Helena Flats Road, Kalispell, MT 59901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Helena Flats School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fair-Mont-Egan School (rated 8.9/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Deer Park School (rated 8.1/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Columbia Falls), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST MATTHEW'S SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 5.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kalispell, see our Kalispell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Helena Flats 7-8 Kalispell 0.0 mi 3.9
VALLEY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell 0.7 mi
East Evergreen School Kalispell 1.9 mi 6.8
Evergreen Junior High Kalispell 2.4 mi 6.2
Edgerton School Kalispell 3.1 mi 7.1
Fair-Mont-Egan School Kalispell 4.3 mi 8.9
Fair-Mont-Egan Middle School Kalispell 4.3 mi 8.1
KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell 4.6 mi 4.6
WOODLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kalispell 4.4 mi
Cornelius Hedges School Kalispell 4.9 mi 5.3
Russell School Kalispell 4.5 mi 5.8
ST MATTHEW'S SCHOOL Kalispell 5.1 mi 8.0
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kalispell 4.7 mi 4.9
STILLWATER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell 5.7 mi 5.6
Kalispell Middle School Kalispell 4.5 mi 5.8
Elrod School Kalispell 5.1 mi 5.9
Flathead High School Kalispell 5.3 mi 6.9
Deer Park School Columbia Falls 4.5 mi 8.1
Deer Park 6-8 Columbia Falls 4.5 mi 4.8
Glacier High School Kalispell 4.3 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,391

Median Home Value

$417,200

Median Rent

$1,052/mo

Population

61,710

College Educated

32.6%

Homeownership

72%

Avg Commute

18.1 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

39.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Helena Flats School has a median household income of $70,391. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $417,200, with a median rent of $1,052/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Lincoln-McKinley School Havre, MT 4.4
Pablo Elementary Ronan, MT 4.4
Prickly Pear Elem East Helena, MT 4.4
Bench School Billings, MT 4.5
Hawthorne School Helena, MT 4.5
Newman School Billings, MT 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Helena Flats School

What grades does Helena Flats School serve?

Helena Flats School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Helena Flats School?

Helena Flats School has an enrollment of approximately 240 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Helena Flats School?

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

How does Helena Flats School rank in MT?

Helena Flats School is ranked #557 out of 603 schools in MT.

What is Helena Flats School's MySchoolScout rating?

Helena Flats School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Helena Flats School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Helena Flats School has 32.0% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Helena Flats School a charter school?

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

Is Helena Flats School a Title I school?

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

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

18.8% of students at Helena Flats 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 (2,532/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Flathead County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Helena Flats Elem
District Enrollment
286
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,157
District Rank
#1 of 2

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.

Read our full methodology

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