Below Average
#476 of 603 schools in MT
Based on limited data
Prickly Pear Elem
Elementary School · East Helena K-12
PO Box 1280, East Helena, MT 59635
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MT statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
285
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
4.9
Grades
1st – 2nd
Enrollment
285
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
4.9
Grades
1st – 2nd
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Montana schools
#476 of 603
In East Helena
#3 of 5
public schools
In district
#3 of 5
East Helena K-12
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Prickly Pear Elem
Elementary School in East Helena · grades 1st – 2nd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Radley Elementary School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
East Helena High School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Prickly Pear Elem
Prickly Pear Elem is a public elementary school in East Helena, MT, part of East Helena K-12. Prickly Pear Elem serves approximately 285 students, and covers grades 1st-2nd, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Prickly Pear Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #476 of 603 schools in MT.
Based on limited data: 40% component coverage.
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- District avg 6.2
- MT avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Prickly Pear Elem sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Prickly Pear Elem Compares
See how Prickly Pear Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 1280, East Helena, MT 59635
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Prickly Pear Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jefferson School (rated 8.9/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Helena), which scores notably higher. Another option is Smith School (rated 8.5/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Helena), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Warren School (rated 8.0/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Helena), which scores notably higher. For more schools in East Helena, see our East Helena schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Radley Elementary School East Helena | 0.2 mi | 7.9 |
| East Helena High School East Helena | 0.5 mi | 2.5 |
| East Valley Middle School East Helena | 0.5 mi | 4.7 |
| HELENA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL East Helena | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Eastgate School East Helena | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Warren School Helena | 3.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Montana City School Clancy | 4.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Montana City Middle Schl Clancy | 4.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Smith School Helena | 4.0 mi | 8.5 |
| INTERMOUNTAIN Helena | 4.6 mi | — |
| Bryant School Helena | 4.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Central School Helena | 4.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Helena High School Helena | 4.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Jefferson School Helena | 5.1 mi | 8.9 |
| Helena Middle School Helena | 5.2 mi | 6.7 |
| BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena | 5.5 mi | — |
| Rossiter School Helena | 6.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Four Georgians School Helena | 5.8 mi | 6.9 |
| MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena | 5.8 mi | — |
| Hawthorne School Helena | 6.1 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59635 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,664
Median Home Value
$356,200
Median Rent
$998/mo
Population
8,382
College Educated
36.7%
Homeownership
83.7%
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
42.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Morningside School Great Falls, MT | 4.9 |
| Highland Park School Havre, MT | 5.0 |
| Lincoln School Great Falls, MT | 5.0 |
| Pine Butte Elementary Sch Colstrip, MT | 5.0 |
| Superior Elementary Superior, MT | 5.0 |
| Valley View School Great Falls, MT | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Prickly Pear Elem
What grades does Prickly Pear Elem serve?
Prickly Pear Elem serves students in grades 1st through 2nd.
How many students attend Prickly Pear Elem?
Prickly Pear Elem has an enrollment of approximately 285 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Prickly Pear Elem?
The student-teacher ratio at Prickly Pear Elem is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Prickly Pear Elem rank in MT?
Prickly Pear Elem ranks #476 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Prickly Pear Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Prickly Pear Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Prickly Pear Elem a charter school?
No, Prickly Pear Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Prickly Pear Elem a Title I school?
No, Prickly Pear Elem is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prickly Pear Elem?
44.6% of students at Prickly Pear Elem 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 1st – 2nd
- Enrollment
- 285
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Lewis and Clark County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 26.0%
- Phone
- (406) 227-7700
Resources & Links
District
East Helena K-12- District Enrollment
- 1,915
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,003
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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