Below Average
#542 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
4.4
Grades
1st – 2nd
Enrollment
285
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
4.4
Grades
1st – 2nd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In East Helena
#3 of 5
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#291 of 319
In district
#3 of 5
East Helena K-12
About Prickly Pear Elem
Prickly Pear Elem is a regular public elementary school located in East Helena, Montana, serving grades 1 and 2. The school has an enrollment of 285 students and employs 17 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1. Despite its small size, the school is focused on providing personalized attention to each student as they embark on their early education journey.
Prickly Pear Elem currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks at #557 among Montana’s 605 schools, indicating there's room for academic growth. The school is situated in a rural area near the town, offering students a peaceful environment conducive to learning. With its close-knit community feel, Prickly Pear Elem aims to foster a supportive atmosphere where young learners can thrive and develop their foundational skills.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Prickly Pear Elem may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
Data not available for this school
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. Smith School (rated 8.7/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Helena), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jefferson School (rated 8.2/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Helena), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Central School (rated 7.5/10, 4.9 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 | 7.0 |
| East Helena High School East Helena | 0.5 mi | 3.1 |
| East Valley Middle School East Helena | 0.5 mi | 3.9 |
| HELENA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL East Helena | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Eastgate School East Helena | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Warren School Helena | 3.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Montana City School Clancy | 4.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Montana City Middle Schl Clancy | 4.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Smith School Helena | 4.0 mi | 8.7 |
| INTERMOUNTAIN Helena | 4.6 mi | — |
| Bryant School Helena | 4.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Central School Helena | 4.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Helena High School Helena | 4.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Jefferson School Helena | 5.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Helena Middle School Helena | 5.2 mi | 5.6 |
| BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena | 5.5 mi | — |
| Rossiter School Helena | 6.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Four Georgians School Helena | 5.8 mi | 6.0 |
| MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena | 5.8 mi | — |
| Hawthorne School Helena | 6.1 mi | 4.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Prickly Pear Elem has a median household income of $73,664. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $356,200, with a median rent of $998/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lincoln-McKinley School Havre, MT | 4.4 |
| Pablo Elementary Ronan, MT | 4.4 |
| Bench School Billings, MT | 4.5 |
| Hawthorne School Helena, MT | 4.5 |
| Newman School Billings, MT | 4.5 |
| Helena Flats School Kalispell, MT | 4.2 |
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 is ranked #542 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Prickly Pear Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Prickly Pear Elem has a composite rating of 4.4 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.
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
- City Safety
- High (1,813/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (East Helena). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (406) 227-7700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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