Average
#312 of 603 schools in MT
Kessler Elementary School
Elementary School · Helena Elem
1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601
Enrollment
248
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
248
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Helena
#8 of 15
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#173 of 319
In district
#6 of 13
Helena Elem
About Kessler Elementary School
Kessler Elementary School in Helena, Montana serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 248 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, the school offers a supportive learning environment with 17 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their education. Located on Poplar Street in a small city setting, Kessler Elementary focuses on providing foundational skills and nurturing young minds.
The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 5.6 out of 10, ranking it as the 267th best elementary school among 605 schools statewide, placing it around the 56th percentile. Academically, Kessler Elementary shows strengths in literacy and numeracy with 44% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 39% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on growth and development to ensure all students reach their full potential.
Kessler Elementary School is situated in a small city community that values education and supports its local schools.
Score Breakdown
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Kessler Elementary School — Students at Kessler Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21%
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: 6.3/10.
How Kessler Elementary School Compares
See how Kessler Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kessler Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Smith School (rated 8.7/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jefferson School (rated 8.2/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Central School (rated 7.5/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Helena, see our Helena schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST ANDREW SCHOOL Helena | 0.5 mi | 6.2 |
| C R Anderson Middle Schl Helena | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Capital High School Helena | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Broadwater School Helena | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Hawthorne School Helena | 1.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Four Georgians School Helena | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena | 2.3 mi | — |
| BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena | 2.0 mi | — |
| Helena Middle School Helena | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Jefferson School Helena | 2.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Central School Helena | 2.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Helena High School Helena | 2.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Bryant School Helena | 2.9 mi | 7.1 |
| INTERMOUNTAIN Helena | 3.6 mi | — |
| Smith School Helena | 3.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Rossiter School Helena | 4.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Jim Darcy School Helena | 7.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Warren School Helena | 6.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Montana City School Clancy | 8.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Montana City Middle Schl Clancy | 8.1 mi | 7.3 |
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 Kessler Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Eastgate School East Helena, MT | 6.2 |
| Fort Benton School Fort Benton, MT | 6.2 |
| Lolo Elementary Lolo, MT | 6.2 |
| Park City School Park City, MT | 6.2 |
| Roundup Elementary Roundup, MT | 6.2 |
| Thompson Falls Elem Schl Thompson Falls, MT | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kessler Elementary School
What grades does Kessler Elementary School serve?
Kessler Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Kessler Elementary School?
Kessler Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 248 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kessler Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Kessler Elementary School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kessler Elementary School rank in MT?
Kessler Elementary School is ranked #312 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Kessler Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Kessler Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Kessler Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kessler Elementary School has 38.7% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Kessler Elementary School a charter school?
No, Kessler Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Kessler Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Kessler Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kessler Elementary School?
21.0% of students at Kessler Elementary 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
- 248
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 21.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Lewis and Clark County
- Phone
- (406) 324-1700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Helena Elem- District Enrollment
- 5,173
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,752
- District Rank
- #6 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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