Average
#252 of 603 schools in MT
Top 42% in state
Helena High School
High School · Helena H S
1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601
Enrollment
1,087
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
6.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,087
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
6.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Helena
#6 of 15
public schools
Montana high schools
#61 of 141
In district
#2 of 2
Helena H S
About Helena High School
Helena High School serves 1,087 students in grades 9-12 at 1325 Poplar Street in Montana's capital city. With 74 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for meaningful connections between educators and students. The school ranks 318th out of 605 high schools statewide, placing it in the 48th percentile with room for academic growth.
Currently, 46% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, while 32% achieve proficiency in mathematics. These results suggest the school is working to strengthen its academic programs and support student achievement across core subjects. Helena High School draws from a well-educated community where 52% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects economic stability with a median household income of $65,696 and a relatively low poverty rate of 10%. Home values averaging $328,500 indicate an established residential area that values education and community investment. As the high school serving Montana's capital city, Helena High School operates within a small city setting that combines the resources and opportunities of a government center with the close-knit feel of a mountain community.
Score Breakdown
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Helena High School — Students at Helena High School score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
20%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 4.4/10.
How Helena High School Compares
See how Helena High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 46% (2022).
Location
1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Helena High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Smith School (rated 8.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jefferson School (rated 8.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Central School (rated 7.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Helena, see our Helena schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bryant School Helena | 0.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Helena Middle School Helena | 0.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Central School Helena | 0.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Jefferson School Helena | 0.8 mi | 8.2 |
| BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena | 0.7 mi | — |
| INTERMOUNTAIN Helena | 1.2 mi | — |
| Smith School Helena | 1.1 mi | 8.7 |
| MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena | 1.2 mi | — |
| Four Georgians School Helena | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Hawthorne School Helena | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Broadwater School Helena | 1.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Capital High School Helena | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| C R Anderson Middle Schl Helena | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| ST ANDREW SCHOOL Helena | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Kessler Elementary School Helena | 2.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Rossiter School Helena | 4.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Warren School Helena | 4.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Montana City School Clancy | 5.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Montana City Middle Schl Clancy | 5.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Radley Elementary School East Helena | 4.8 mi | 7.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Helena High School has a median household income of $70,502. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $355,000, with a median rent of $1,023/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 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 |
|---|---|
| Capital High School Helena, MT | 6.8 |
| C M Russell High School Great Falls, MT | 6.5 |
| Glacier High School Kalispell, MT | 6.3 |
| Gallatin High School Bozeman, MT | 6.1 |
| Columbia Falls High Schl Columbia Falls, MT | 5.8 |
| Bozeman High School Bozeman, MT | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Helena High School
What grades does Helena High School serve?
Helena High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Helena High School?
Helena High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,087 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Helena High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Helena High School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Helena High School rank in MT?
Helena High School is ranked #252 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Helena High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Helena High School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Helena High School has 36.7% math proficiency and 53.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Helena High School a charter school?
No, Helena High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Helena High School a Title I school?
No, Helena High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Helena High School?
20.0% of students at 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Helena). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,087
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 74
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 20.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Lewis and Clark County
- Phone
- (406) 324-2200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Helena H S- District Enrollment
- 2,454
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,044
- District Rank
- #2 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.
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