Average
#6629 of 8,547 schools in TX
Helms EL
Elementary School · HOUSTON ISD
503 W 21ST ST, Houston, TX 77008
Enrollment
481
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
481
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Houston
#491 of 723
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#3,328 of 4,678
In district
#176 of 272
HOUSTON ISD
About Helms EL
HELMS EL is a regular public elementary school located in Houston, Texas. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, HELMS EL has an enrollment of 481 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting within the bustling city of Houston provides a dynamic backdrop for learning.
Academically, HELMS EL is currently ranked #5897 out of 8598 schools in Texas, placing it at the 31st percentile. With a MySchoolScout rating of 4.4/10 and an academic score of 5.3/10, the school has room for improvement in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math, with 42% of students proficient or above in each subject area. While these numbers indicate areas where growth is needed, HELMS EL continues to focus on student development and support.
HELMS EL sits in a vibrant city environment that offers unique opportunities for its young learners.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Helms EL — Students at Helms EL score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 4.7/10.
How Helms EL Compares
See how Helms EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 32% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 37% (2021).
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. ST ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HARVARD EL (rated 7.3/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LOVE EL (rated 7.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 5.8 |
| LOVE EL Houston | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| HOUSTON HEIGHTS CHARTER SCHOOL Houston | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| HEIGHTS H S Houston | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| 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 | 5.2 |
| GARDEN OAKS MONTESSORI Houston | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| BURRUS EL Houston | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| WASHINGTON B T H S Houston | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| HARVARD EL Houston | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| SINCLAIR EL Houston | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| HARPER DAEP Houston | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| GOSWAMI ACADEMY Houston | 1.6 mi | — |
| HOGG MIDDLE Houston | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| OAK FOREST ACADEMY LLC Houston | 1.8 mi | — |
| WALTRIP H S Houston | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| BROWNING EL Houston | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| KENNEDY EL Houston | 2.2 mi | 5.7 |
| DURHAM EL Houston | 2.2 mi | 4.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Helms EL has a median household income of $142,414. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $609,300, with a median rent of $1,567/month. The local poverty rate of 8.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| ARLINGTON CLASSICS ACADEMY - ARKANSAS CAMPUS Arlington, TX | 5.0 |
| BARRINGTON PLACE EL Sugar Land, TX | 5.0 |
| BLOCK HOUSE CREEK EL Leander, TX | 5.0 |
| BOONE EL San Antonio, TX | 5.0 |
| BOWIE EL San Marcos, TX | 5.0 |
| BREWSTER EL Edinburg, TX | 5.0 |
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 is ranked #6629 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Helms EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Helms EL has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Helms EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Helms EL has 42.0% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (5,451/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Houston). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (713) 867-5130
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HOUSTON ISD- District Enrollment
- 184,109
- Schools in District
- 274
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,072
- District Rank
- #176 of 272
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Schools in Houston, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Moving for Schools: How to Find the Best Schools Before You Relocateguides
- Understanding School Ratings: A Parent's Guide to Using Data for School Choice Decisionsguides
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
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