Average
#410 of 603 schools in MT
Helena Middle School
Middle School · Helena Elem
1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601
Enrollment
671
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
671
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Helena
#12 of 15
public schools
Montana middle schools
#91 of 143
In district
#10 of 13
Helena Elem
About Helena Middle School
Helena Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Helena, Montana. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 671 students and employs 43 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1. The MySchoolScout rating for Helena Middle School is 5.5 out of 10, placing it at the 52nd percentile among Montana schools.
Academically, students perform with 49% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 36% proficient or above in Math. While these scores indicate areas where the school can focus on growth, Helena Middle School offers a supportive educational environment that aims to develop well-rounded middle schoolers. The school is situated in a small city setting, providing students with a close-knit community feel while still offering access to resources and opportunities typical of urban environments.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Helena Middle School — Students at Helena Middle School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.7%
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: 4.7/10.
How Helena Middle School Compares
See how Helena Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 34% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 47% (2022).
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 7.3/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Clancy), which scores notably higher. Additionally, C R Anderson Middle Schl (rated 5.5/10, 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 | 6.7 |
| BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena | 0.4 mi | — |
| Jefferson School Helena | 0.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Central School Helena | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Bryant School Helena | 0.6 mi | 7.1 |
| MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena | 0.9 mi | — |
| Hawthorne School Helena | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Broadwater School Helena | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Four Georgians School Helena | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| INTERMOUNTAIN Helena | 1.3 mi | — |
| Smith School Helena | 1.4 mi | 8.7 |
| C R Anderson Middle Schl Helena | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Capital High School Helena | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
| ST ANDREW SCHOOL Helena | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Kessler Elementary School Helena | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Rossiter School Helena | 4.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Warren School Helena | 4.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Montana City School Clancy | 5.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Montana City Middle Schl Clancy | 5.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Radley Elementary School East Helena | 5.2 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Washington Middle School Missoula, MT | 5.5 |
| Ben Steele Middle School Billings, MT | 5.7 |
| Hamilton Middle School Hamilton, MT | 5.7 |
| Riverside Middle School Billings, MT | 5.7 |
| Columbia Falls Jr HS Columbia Falls, MT | 5.4 |
| Castle Rock Middle School Billings, MT | 5.8 |
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 is ranked #410 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Helena Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Helena Middle School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Helena Middle School has 36.3% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,105/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Helena). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (406) 324-1000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Helena Elem- District Enrollment
- 5,173
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,752
- District Rank
- #10 of 13
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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