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Average

#250 of 603 schools in MT

Top 41% in state

Helena Middle School

Middle School · Helena Elem

1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601

Enrollment

671

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

6.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#250 of 603

In Helena

#8 of 15

public schools

In district

#8 of 13

Helena Elem

Academic growth

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Helena Middle School

6.7/10

Middle School in Helena · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Helena High School

6.1/10

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

Bloom Montessori School

Nearby

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

About Helena Middle School

Helena Middle School is a public middle school in Helena, MT, part of Helena Elem. Helena Middle School serves approximately 671 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Helena Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #250 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Helena Middle School show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.6
  • MT avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

42% of students at Helena Middle 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 Progress7.8Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.87 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency41% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,752
Chronic Absenteeism41.7%

Helena Middle School — Students at Helena Middle School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 46.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.2% (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
59%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
61%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
64%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
65%
ELA
83%
2014
Math
39%
ELA
56%
2015
Math
49%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
46%
ELA
53%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
46%
ELA
54%
2019
Math
46%
ELA
54%
2020*
Math
29%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
34%
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: 7.8/10.

How Helena Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
59th percentile in MT
Academic
6.7/10
Average
Growth
7.8/10
Very Good
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.7%

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 Helena Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Montana City Middle Schl (rated 6.7/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Clancy), with a very similar rating. Additionally, C R Anderson Middle Schl (rated 6.4/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Helena, see our Helena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Helena High School Helena 0.3 mi 6.1
BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena 0.4 mi
Jefferson School Helena 0.8 mi 8.9
Central School Helena 0.7 mi 7.7
Bryant School Helena 0.6 mi 5.4
MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena 0.9 mi
Hawthorne School Helena 1.0 mi 7.9
Broadwater School Helena 1.1 mi 4.6
Four Georgians School Helena 1.5 mi 6.9
INTERMOUNTAIN Helena 1.3 mi
Smith School Helena 1.4 mi 8.5
C R Anderson Middle Schl Helena 1.4 mi 6.4
Capital High School Helena 1.7 mi 6.3
ST ANDREW SCHOOL Helena 2.1 mi 6.2
Kessler Elementary School Helena 2.4 mi 6.1
Rossiter School Helena 4.5 mi 7.4
Warren School Helena 4.4 mi 8.0
Montana City School Clancy 5.8 mi 7.2
Montana City Middle Schl Clancy 5.8 mi 6.7
Radley Elementary School East Helena 5.2 mi 7.9

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
Hellgate El Intermediate Missoula, MT 6.7
Washington Middle School Missoula, MT 6.8
Columbia Falls Jr HS Columbia Falls, MT 6.9
Meadow Hill Middle School Missoula, MT 6.5
East Middle School Great Falls, MT 6.2
Ben Steele Middle School Billings, MT 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Helena Middle School

What grades does Helena Middle School serve?

Helena Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Helena Middle School?

Helena Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 671 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Helena Middle School is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Helena Middle School rank in MT?

Helena Middle School ranks #250 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Helena Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Helena Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Helena Middle School has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Helena Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Helena Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

29.7% of students at Helena Middle 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
85 Very Walkable
Bike Score
71 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
671
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Lewis and Clark County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.7%

District

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

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