Excellent
#1186 of 8,552 schools in TX
Top 14% in state
Helms EL
Elementary School · HOUSTON ISD
503 W 21ST ST, Houston, TX 77008
Enrollment
481
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
481
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#1,186 of 8,552
In Houston
#65 of 723
public schools
In district
#40 of 272
HOUSTON ISD
Academic growth
8.6 / 10
Excellent
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Helms EL
Elementary School in Houston · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hamilton Middle
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Love EL
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Helms EL
Helms EL is a public elementary school in Houston, TX, part of HOUSTON ISD. Helms EL serves approximately 481 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Helms EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,186 of 8,552 schools in TX.
Structured state assessment records for Helms EL show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.2 · Excellent
- District avg 6.0
- TX avg 6.2
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Helms EL — Students at Helms EL score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)
Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 8.6/10.
How Helms EL Compares
See how Helms EL 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
503 W 21ST ST, Houston, TX 77008
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Helms EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FIELD EL (rated 8.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is SINCLAIR EL (rated 8.4/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, HARVARD EL (rated 8.2/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Houston, see our Houston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HAMILTON MIDDLE Houston | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| LOVE EL Houston | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| HOUSTON HEIGHTS CHARTER SCHOOL Houston | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| HEIGHTS H S Houston | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| ST ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Houston | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| LUTHERAN HIGH NORTH Houston | 1.2 mi | 8.8 |
| FIELD EL Houston | 1.1 mi | 8.5 |
| GARDEN OAKS MONTESSORI Houston | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| BURRUS EL Houston | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| WASHINGTON B T H S Houston | 1.5 mi | 4.0 |
| HARVARD EL Houston | 1.5 mi | 8.2 |
| SINCLAIR EL Houston | 1.5 mi | 8.4 |
| HARPER DAEP Houston | 1.7 mi | 5.3 |
| GOSWAMI ACADEMY Houston | 1.6 mi | — |
| HOGG MIDDLE Houston | 1.6 mi | 8.2 |
| OAK FOREST ACADEMY LLC Houston | 1.8 mi | — |
| WALTRIP H S Houston | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
| BROWNING EL Houston | 1.8 mi | 3.7 |
| KENNEDY EL Houston | 2.2 mi | 5.5 |
| DURHAM EL Houston | 2.2 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 77008 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$142,414
Median Home Value
$609,300
Median Rent
$1,567/mo
Population
40,155
College Educated
72.3%
Homeownership
59%
Avg Commute
25.2 min
Poverty Rate
8.3%
Median Age
35.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ARABIC IMMERSION MAGNET SCHOOL Houston, TX | 8.2 |
| ATLANTA EL Atlanta, TX | 8.2 |
| AUSTIN EL Edinburg, TX | 8.2 |
| AXTELL EL Axtell, TX | 8.2 |
| BEAR BRANCH EL Magnolia, TX | 8.2 |
| BEAVER TECHNOLOGY CENTER Garland, TX | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Helms EL
What grades does Helms EL serve?
Helms EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Helms EL?
Helms EL has an enrollment of approximately 481 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Helms EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Helms EL is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Helms EL rank in TX?
Helms EL ranks #1,186 of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is Helms EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Helms EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 Helms EL?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Helms EL has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Helms EL a charter school?
No, Helms EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Helms EL a Title I school?
No, Helms EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Helms EL?
50.9% of students at Helms EL qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 481
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Harris County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 11.4%
- Phone
- (713) 867-5130
Resources & Links
District
HOUSTON ISD- District Enrollment
- 184,109
- Schools in District
- 274
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,072
- District Rank
- #40 of 272
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 rateRelated reading
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