Excellent
#26 of 603 schools in MT
Top 4% in state
Smith School
Elementary School · Helena Elem
1325 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601
Enrollment
292
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
292
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Helena
#1 of 15
public schools
Montana elementary schools
#20 of 319
In district
#1 of 13
Helena Elem
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Smith School
Smith School is a public elementary school in Helena, MT, part of the Helena Elem. The school serves approximately 292 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 95.9th percentile among MT schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 47% proficiency in math and 55% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $70,502, where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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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 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.6/10.
How Smith School Compares
See how Smith School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 62% (2022).
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 8.2/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Central School (rated 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Montana City School (rated 7.2/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Clancy), a more accessible option. 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 | 7.1 |
| Helena High School Helena | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Jefferson School Helena | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Central School Helena | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Helena Middle School Helena | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| BLOOM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Helena | 1.8 mi | — |
| MOUNTAINSIDE MONTESSORI Helena | 1.9 mi | — |
| Four Georgians School Helena | 2.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Hawthorne School Helena | 2.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Broadwater School Helena | 2.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Capital High School Helena | 3.0 mi | 6.8 |
| C R Anderson Middle Schl Helena | 2.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Warren School Helena | 4.0 mi | 6.5 |
| ST ANDREW SCHOOL Helena | 3.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Rossiter School Helena | 5.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Kessler Elementary School Helena | 3.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Montana City School Clancy | 4.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Montana City Middle Schl Clancy | 4.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Radley Elementary School East Helena | 3.9 mi | 7.0 |
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 Smith 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 |
|---|---|
| Ennis School Ennis, MT | 8.8 |
| Malta K-5 Malta, MT | 8.5 |
| McKinley School Billings, MT | 8.5 |
| Linderman School Polson, MT | 8.4 |
| Longfellow School Bozeman, MT | 8.4 |
| Plentywood School Plentywood, MT | 8.4 |
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 is ranked #26 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Smith School's MySchoolScout rating?
Smith School has a composite rating of 8.7 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 Smith School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smith School has 47.0% math proficiency and 55.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Helena). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (406) 324-1530
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Helena Elem- District Enrollment
- 5,173
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,752
- District Rank
- #1 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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