Needs Improvement
#581 of 603 schools in MT
Jim Darcy School
Elementary School · Helena Elem
1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601
Enrollment
486
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
486
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Helena
#15 of 15
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#305 of 319
In district
#13 of 13
Helena Elem
About Jim Darcy School
Jim Darcy School is a regular public elementary school located in Helena, Montana, specifically in the Lewis and Clark County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, providing a comprehensive education to 486 children with a student-teacher ratio of 19.4:1. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers, Jim Darcy School offers a supportive learning environment that encourages growth and development.
The academic performance at Jim Darcy School is currently rated 3.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 14th percentile among Montana's schools. The school’s ELA/reading proficiency stands at 47%, while math proficiency is at 33%. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and academic improvement.
Located in a small suburban setting, Jim Darcy School benefits from a close-knit community that values education and supports its students. The surrounding area offers a safe and nurturing environment for children to thrive both academically and socially.
Score Breakdown
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Jim Darcy School — Students at Jim Darcy School score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
9.9%
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: 3.5/10.
How Jim Darcy School Compares
See how Jim Darcy School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 43% (2022).
Location
1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Jim Darcy School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Smith School (rated 8.7/10, 8.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jefferson School (rated 8.2/10, 8.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Central School (rated 7.5/10, 7.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Helena, see our Helena schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rossiter School Helena | 3.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Four Georgians School Helena | 6.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Capital High School Helena | 6.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Warren School Helena | 5.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Central School Helena | 7.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Broadwater School Helena | 7.1 mi | 6.1 |
| BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena | 7.4 mi | — |
| Bryant School Helena | 7.5 mi | 7.1 |
| C R Anderson Middle Schl Helena | 7.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Kessler Elementary School Helena | 7.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Helena Middle School Helena | 7.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Helena High School Helena | 7.6 mi | 6.7 |
| ST ANDREW SCHOOL Helena | 7.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Hawthorne School Helena | 7.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Jefferson School Helena | 8.4 mi | 8.2 |
| MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena | 8.3 mi | — |
| Smith School Helena | 8.3 mi | 8.7 |
| INTERMOUNTAIN Helena | 8.7 mi | — |
| HELENA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL East Helena | 7.9 mi | 5.6 |
| East Helena High School East Helena | 8.7 mi | 3.1 |
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 Jim Darcy 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 |
|---|---|
| Sunnyside School Havre, MT | 3.8 |
| Florence-Carlton El Schl Florence, MT | 3.9 |
| Harlem Elementary School Harlem, MT | 3.5 |
| Whittier School Butte, MT | 4.0 |
| Lincoln-McKinley School Havre, MT | 4.4 |
| Bench School Billings, MT | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Jim Darcy School
What grades does Jim Darcy School serve?
Jim Darcy School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Jim Darcy School?
Jim Darcy School has an enrollment of approximately 486 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Jim Darcy School?
The student-teacher ratio at Jim Darcy School is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Jim Darcy School rank in MT?
Jim Darcy School is ranked #581 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Jim Darcy School's MySchoolScout rating?
Jim Darcy School has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Jim Darcy School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jim Darcy School has 33.0% math proficiency and 47.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Jim Darcy School a charter school?
No, Jim Darcy School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Jim Darcy School a Title I school?
No, Jim Darcy School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jim Darcy School?
9.9% of students at Jim Darcy 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 486
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 9.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Lewis and Clark County
- Phone
- (406) 324-1410
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Helena Elem- District Enrollment
- 5,173
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,752
- District Rank
- #13 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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