Very Good
#223 of 1,226 schools in OR
Top 18% in state
Helix Charter School
School · Helix SD 1
PO Box 398, Helix, OR 97835
Enrollment
186
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
186
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Oregon schools
#8 of 80
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Helix Charter School
Helix Charter School serves 186 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in the small rural community of Helix, Oregon. This public charter school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 10.9:1, supported by 17 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 87th percentile statewide at #160 out of 1,231 Oregon schools.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts and reading, with 57% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math performance presents opportunities for growth, with 32% of students meeting proficiency standards. Located in Umatilla County, Helix Charter School draws from a community where the median household income is $121,932 and median home values sit at $232,500.
The area has a 13.1% poverty rate, with 23% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The school's charter status allows for educational flexibility while serving families in this tight-knit rural setting. With fewer than 500 residents in the surrounding ZIP code area, Helix Charter School truly embodies small-town education, where students can receive personalized attention in Oregon's agricultural heartland.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 186 students, Helix Charter School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Helix Charter School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Located in a rural area, Helix Charter School 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
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Helix Charter School — Students at Helix Charter School score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from OR 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: 8.2/10.
How Helix Charter School Compares
See how Helix Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 42.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 57% (2019) to 55.3% (2025).
Location
PO Box 398, Helix, OR 97835
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Helix Charter School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Touchet Elem & High School (rated 6.3/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Touchet), a more accessible option. Additionally, InterMountain Virtual Learning Academy (rated 5.2/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Pendleton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Helix, see our Helix schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 97835 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$126,667
Median Home Value
$236,100
Median Rent
$644/mo
Population
545
College Educated
19.8%
Homeownership
88.9%
Poverty Rate
8.8%
Median Age
41.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Helix Charter School has a median household income of $126,667. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,100, with a median rent of $644/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| FRANCISCAN MONTESSORI EARTH SCHOOL Portland, OR | 7.9 |
| OAK HILL SCHOOL Eugene, OR | 7.9 |
| LIVINGSTONE ADVENTIST ACADEMY Salem, OR | 7.8 |
| North Powder Charter School North Powder, OR | 8.1 |
| DELPHIAN SCHOOL Sheridan, OR | 7.7 |
| ISLAMIC SCHOOL OF MET/OREGON ISLAMIC ACADEMY Tigard, OR | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Helix Charter School
What grades does Helix Charter School serve?
Helix Charter School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Helix Charter School?
Helix Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 186 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Helix Charter School?
The student-teacher ratio at Helix Charter School is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Helix Charter School rank in OR?
Helix Charter School is ranked #223 out of 1,226 schools in OR.
What is Helix Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?
Helix Charter School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Helix Charter School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Helix Charter School has 39.1% math proficiency and 58.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Helix Charter School a charter school?
Yes, Helix Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Helix Charter School a Title I school?
No, Helix Charter School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 186
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Umatilla County
- Phone
- (541) 457-2175
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Helix SD 1- District Enrollment
- 187
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,569
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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