Skip to main content

Average

#1260 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 48% in state

Helena Elementary

Elementary School · Person County Schools

355 Helena Moriah Rd, Timberlake, NC 27583

Enrollment

522

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,260 of 2,648

In district

#8 of 12

Person County Schools

Equity

9.2 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Helena Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Helena Elementary

6.5/10

Elementary School in Timberlake · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

South Elementary

7.1/10

6.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Southern Middle

7.1/10

6.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Helena Elementary

Helena Elementary is a public elementary school in Timberlake, NC, part of Person County Schools. Helena Elementary serves approximately 522 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Helena Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,260 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Helena Elementary show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Helena Elementary 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70.5% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.9% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+6.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency63% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+16.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,682
Chronic Absenteeism16.9%

Helena Elementary — Students at Helena Elementary score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 61.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
93%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
59%
ELA
50%
2013
Math
69%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
70%
ELA
61%
2015
Math
74%
ELA
68%
2016
Math
69%
ELA
64%
2017
Math
66%
ELA
63%
2018
Math
46%
ELA
53%
2019
Math
46%
ELA
53%
2020*
Math
50%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
50%
ELA
53%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
70.6%
ELA
55.7%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Helena Elementary Compares

See how Helena Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in NC
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
4.4/10
Below Average
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

355 Helena Moriah Rd, Timberlake, NC 27583

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Helena Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mangum Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Bahama), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carolina Community Academy (rated 8.0/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Roxboro), which scores notably higher. Additionally, South Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Roxboro), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Timberlake, see our Timberlake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.0 mi
School Distance Rating
South Elementary Roxboro 6.4 mi 7.1
Southern Middle Roxboro 6.6 mi 7.1
ROXBORO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Roxboro 7.1 mi 6.2
Roxboro Community School Roxboro 7.4 mi 7.7
PROGRESSIVE LEARNING ACADEMY Roxboro 7.7 mi 5.7
Carolina Community Academy Roxboro 8.3 mi 8.0
North Elementary Roxboro 8.3 mi 2.1
Person High Roxboro 8.7 mi 3.9
PCS Virtual Academy Roxboro 8.7 mi 6.9
Mangum Elementary Bahama 9.2 mi 8.8
Stories Creek Elementary Roxboro 9.6 mi 6.0
Northern Middle Roxboro 9.8 mi 4.0
Oak Lane Elementary Hurdle Mills 8.0 mi 7.1
Person Early College Innovation & Ldrshp Roxboro 10.1 mi 7.9
North End Elementary Roxboro 10.8 mi 7.0
Discovery Charter Durham 11.5 mi 7.9
Lucas Middle Durham 12.9 mi 7.1
George L Carrington Middle Durham 14.0 mi 5.4
Eno Valley Elementary Durham 14.2 mi 6.1
Little River K-8 School Durham 14.0 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27583 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,659

Median Home Value

$253,800

Median Rent

$817/mo

Population

6,633

College Educated

23.1%

Homeownership

86.8%

Avg Commute

29.5 min

Poverty Rate

12.9%

Median Age

41.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
A H Snipes Academy of Arts/Des Wilmington, NC 6.5
Alderman Road Elementary Fayetteville, NC 6.5
ArtSpace Charter School Swannanoa, NC 6.5
Benton Heights Elementary Monroe, NC 6.5
Candler Elementary Candler, NC 6.5
Chinquapin Elementary Chinquapin, NC 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Helena Elementary

What grades does Helena Elementary serve?

Helena Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Helena Elementary?

Helena Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 522 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Helena Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Helena Elementary 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 Helena Elementary rank in NC?

Helena Elementary ranks #1,260 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Helena Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Helena Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Helena Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Helena Elementary has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Helena Elementary a charter school?

No, Helena Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Helena Elementary a Title I school?

No, Helena Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Helena Elementary?

99.4% of students at Helena Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
522
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Person County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.9%

District

Person County Schools
District Enrollment
4,346
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,682
District Rank
#8 of 12

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.