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#373 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

5.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#373 of 603

In Helena

#13 of 15

public schools

In district

#11 of 13

Helena Elem

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Jim Darcy School

5.7/10

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

Rossiter School

7.4/10

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

Four Georgians School

6.9/10

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

About Jim Darcy School

Jim Darcy School is a public elementary school in Helena, MT, part of Helena Elem. Jim Darcy School serves approximately 486 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Jim Darcy School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #373 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Jim Darcy School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 7.0
  • MT avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.28 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency35% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-15.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,752
Chronic Absenteeism23.9%

Jim Darcy School — Students at Jim Darcy School score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

9.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.5% (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
52%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
46%
ELA
54%
2019
Math
46%
ELA
54%
2020*
Math
26%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
43%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Jim Darcy School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
38th percentile in MT
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
6.9/10
Average
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
10%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.9%

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 Jim Darcy School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jefferson School (rated 8.9/10, 8.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Smith School (rated 8.5/10, 8.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Warren School (rated 8.0/10, 5.9 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 7.4
Four Georgians School Helena 6.2 mi 6.9
Capital High School Helena 6.3 mi 6.3
Warren School Helena 5.9 mi 8.0
Central School Helena 7.0 mi 7.7
Broadwater School Helena 7.1 mi 4.6
BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena 7.4 mi
Bryant School Helena 7.5 mi 5.4
C R Anderson Middle Schl Helena 7.4 mi 6.4
Kessler Elementary School Helena 7.2 mi 6.1
Helena Middle School Helena 7.6 mi 6.7
Helena High School Helena 7.6 mi 6.1
ST ANDREW SCHOOL Helena 7.5 mi 6.2
Hawthorne School Helena 7.9 mi 7.9
Jefferson School Helena 8.4 mi 8.9
MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena 8.3 mi
Smith School Helena 8.3 mi 8.5
INTERMOUNTAIN Helena 8.7 mi
HELENA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL East Helena 7.9 mi 5.6
East Helena High School East Helena 8.7 mi 2.5

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
K William Harvey Elem Ronan, MT 5.7
Lowell School Missoula, MT 5.7
Bigfork Elementary Bigfork, MT 5.8
O D Speer School Deer Lodge, MT 5.8
Sunnyside School Great Falls, MT 5.6
Daly School Hamilton, MT 5.9

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 ranks #373 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Jim Darcy School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jim Darcy School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Jim Darcy School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Jim Darcy School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.9%

District

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

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