Average
#333 of 603 schools in MT
Helena High School
High School · Helena H S · Helena, MT
A Helena H S high school where students score 9 points below what's typical for similar communities.
1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601
- Math 32% proficient (2022)
- Reading 46% proficient (2022)
- 85.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Students at Helena High School score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MT average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 12 points since 2019, to 39% in 2022, across a 14-year record (2009–2022).
Show all 11 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 45% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 65% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 22 test records from MT state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
20%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Helena High School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 76Very Walkable
- Bike 71Very Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,105/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Helena), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$70,502
Median home value
$355,000
Median rent
$1,023/mo
College educated
50.9%
Homeownership
56.8%
Poverty rate
9.1%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 59601; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 6.3 | 9–12 | 1.9 mi | 1,367 | Compare → |
| St Andrew SchoolPrivate · tuition | 6.2private | PK–12 | 2.4 mi | 218 | Compare → |
| East Helena High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 2.5 | 9–12 | 4.9 mi | 582 | Compare → |
| Helena Christian SchoolPrivate · tuition | 5.6private | PK–12 | 5.0 mi | 231 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Helena H S
- Schools in district
- 2
- Rank in district
- #2 of 2
- District spending per student
- $13,044NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 5.9%Census SAIPE · 2024
Helena High School is listed in Helena H S; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Helena High School
Helena High School is a public high school in Helena, MT, part of Helena H S, serving approximately 1,087 students in grades 9th-12th with a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #333 of 603 schools in MT. State assessment records show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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 ranks #333 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Helena High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Helena High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 Helena High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Helena High School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,087
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 74
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Lewis and Clark County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.6%
- Phone
- (406) 324-2200
- 4-Year Graduation
- 85.0%
- Area population (ZIP 59601)
- 31,822
- Area average commute
- 13.9 min
- Area median age
- 41.1
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 59601; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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