Excellent
#47 of 603 schools in MT
Top 8% in state
Smith School
Elementary School · Helena Elem
1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601
Enrollment
292
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
292
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Montana schools
#47 of 603
In Helena
#2 of 15
public schools
In district
#2 of 13
Helena Elem
Academic performance
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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Smith School
Elementary School in Helena · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Intermountain
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bryant School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Smith School
Smith School is a public elementary school in Helena, MT, part of Helena Elem. Smith School serves approximately 292 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Smith School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #47 of 603 schools in MT.
Structured state assessment records for Smith School show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.5 · Excellent
- District avg 7.0
- MT avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
34% of students at Smith School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Smith School — Students at Smith School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 test records from MT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.1/10.
How Smith School Compares
See how Smith School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Smith School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jefferson School (rated 8.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Warren School (rated 8.0/10, 4.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Hawthorne School (rated 7.9/10, 2.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Helena, see our Helena schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| INTERMOUNTAIN Helena | 0.7 mi | — |
| Bryant School Helena | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Helena High School Helena | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Jefferson School Helena | 1.2 mi | 8.9 |
| Central School Helena | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Helena Middle School Helena | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena | 1.8 mi | — |
| MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena | 1.9 mi | — |
| Four Georgians School Helena | 2.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Hawthorne School Helena | 2.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Broadwater School Helena | 2.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Capital High School Helena | 3.0 mi | 6.3 |
| C R Anderson Middle Schl Helena | 2.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Warren School Helena | 4.0 mi | 8.0 |
| ST ANDREW SCHOOL Helena | 3.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Rossiter School Helena | 5.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Kessler Elementary School Helena | 3.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Montana City School Clancy | 4.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Montana City Middle Schl Clancy | 4.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Radley Elementary School East Helena | 3.9 mi | 7.9 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Hawthorne School Missoula, MT | 8.5 |
| Ennis School Ennis, MT | 8.7 |
| Monforton School Bozeman, MT | 8.3 |
| Belt School Belt, MT | 8.8 |
| Central Heights School Billings, MT | 8.2 |
| Elysian School Billings, MT | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Smith School
What grades does Smith School serve?
Smith School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Smith School?
Smith School has an enrollment of approximately 292 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Smith School?
The student-teacher ratio at Smith School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Smith School rank in MT?
Smith School ranks #47 of 603 schools in MT.
What is Smith School's MySchoolScout rating?
Smith School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 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 Smith School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Smith School has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Smith School a charter school?
No, Smith School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Smith School a Title I school?
No, Smith School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Smith School?
24.0% of students at Smith 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 292
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 24.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Lewis and Clark County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.2%
- Phone
- (406) 324-1530
Resources & Links
District
Helena Elem- District Enrollment
- 5,173
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,752
- District Rank
- #2 of 13
Other Schools in This District
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