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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

Charter

Enrollment

186

Student-Teacher

10.9:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

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 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.51 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.5Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.3%
Math vs. State Avg+10.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.3 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected-4.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College Readiness6.8Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,691

Helix Charter School — Students at Helix Charter School score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.1%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 58.5%
School
State
43.0%

Based on 8 test records from OR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
42.7%
ELA
55.3%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.9/10
82th percentile in OR
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Weston-McEwen High School Athena 8.5 mi 7.2
Athena Elementary School Athena 8.7 mi 8.4
Nixyaawii Community School Pendleton 12.9 mi 7.1
Touchet Elem & High School Touchet 13.3 mi 6.3
Washington Elementary School Pendleton 13.3 mi 6.4
Hawthorne Alternative High School Pendleton 14.0 mi 5.1
Pendleton High School Pendleton 14.1 mi 3.6
Pendleton Early Learning Center Pendleton 14.5 mi 6.7
Weston Middle School Weston 11.5 mi 8.5
Sunridge Middle School Pendleton 15.2 mi 5.2
InterMountain Virtual Learning Academy Pendleton 15.4 mi 5.2
PENDLETON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pendleton 15.5 mi
Sherwood Heights Elementary School Pendleton 15.8 mi 4.0
McKay Creek Elementary School Pendleton 16.4 mi 7.2
Central Middle School Milton-Freewater 13.8 mi 5.3
McLoughlin High School Milton-Freewater 13.9 mi 3.8
Gib Olinger Elementary School Milton-Freewater 14.1 mi 7.2
Ferndale Elementary School Milton-Freewater 15.1 mi 6.7
MILTON-STATELINE ADVENTIST SCHOOL Milton-Freewater 15.1 mi 5.9
WALLA WALLA VALLEY ACADEMY College Place 18.2 mi 6.9

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (451/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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