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Excellent

#21 of 603 schools in MT

Top 3% in state

Jefferson School

Elementary School · Helena Elem

1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601

Enrollment

247

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

8.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#21 of 603

In Helena

#1 of 15

public schools

In district

#1 of 13

Helena Elem

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Jefferson School

8.9/10

Elementary School in Helena · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Helena Middle School

6.7/10

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

Helena High School

6.1/10

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

About Jefferson School

Jefferson School is a public elementary school in Helena, MT, part of Helena Elem. Jefferson School serves approximately 247 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Jefferson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #21 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Jefferson School show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.9 pts above district
  • This school 8.9 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.0
  • MT avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.81 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency77% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency75% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+24.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,752
Chronic Absenteeism26.7%

Jefferson School — Students at Jefferson School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

11.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 67.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 80.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
67%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
77%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Jefferson School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.9/10
97th percentile in MT
Academic
9.8/10
Excellent
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
11%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.7%

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 Jefferson School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Smith School (rated 8.5/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Warren School (rated 8.0/10, 4.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Hawthorne School (rated 7.9/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Helena, see our Helena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Helena Middle School Helena 0.8 mi 6.7
Helena High School Helena 0.8 mi 6.1
INTERMOUNTAIN Helena 0.7 mi
MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena 0.7 mi
Bryant School Helena 1.0 mi 5.4
BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena 1.1 mi
Central School Helena 1.4 mi 7.7
Hawthorne School Helena 1.2 mi 7.9
Smith School Helena 1.2 mi 8.5
Broadwater School Helena 1.7 mi 4.6
Four Georgians School Helena 2.3 mi 6.9
C R Anderson Middle Schl Helena 1.8 mi 6.4
Capital High School Helena 2.4 mi 6.3
ST ANDREW SCHOOL Helena 2.4 mi 6.2
Kessler Elementary School Helena 2.9 mi 6.1
Rossiter School Helena 5.3 mi 7.4
Warren School Helena 4.8 mi 8.0
Montana City School Clancy 5.2 mi 7.2
Montana City Middle Schl Clancy 5.2 mi 6.7
Radley Elementary School East Helena 5.0 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
Belt School Belt, MT 8.8
Fairfield Elementary School Fairfield, MT 8.8
Fort Benton School Fort Benton, MT 9.0
Longfellow School Bozeman, MT 8.8
West Side Elementary Sidney, MT 8.8
Anderson School Bozeman, MT 9.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jefferson School

What grades does Jefferson School serve?

Jefferson School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Jefferson School?

Jefferson School has an enrollment of approximately 247 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson School?

The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jefferson School rank in MT?

Jefferson School ranks #21 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Jefferson School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 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 Jefferson School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Jefferson School has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Jefferson School a charter school?

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

Is Jefferson School a Title I school?

No, Jefferson School is not currently a Title I school.

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

11.3% of students at Jefferson 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
54 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
247
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
11.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Lewis and Clark County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.7%

District

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

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