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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Helena Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 7,503 students in Helena, MT (there are 10 private schools, serving 530 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Helena, MT are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Helena, MT are Jefferson School, Smith School and Warren School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Helena, MT public schools have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the Montana public school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Helena have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Montana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Montana public school average of 24% (majority American Indian).

Best Public Schools in Helena, MT (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Jefferson School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1023 Broadway
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-2060
Gr: PK-5 | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #22.
Smith School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2320 5th Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-1530
Gr: PK-5 | 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #33.
Warren School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2690 Old York Road
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-1600
Gr: PK-5 | 276 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #44.
Four Georgians School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
555 Custer Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-1300
Gr: PK-5 | 482 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #55.
C R Anderson Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1200 Knight St
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-2800
Gr: 6-8 | 962 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #66.
Central School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1325 Poplar
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-1230
Gr: PK-5 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #77.
Hawthorne School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
430 Madison Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-1370
Gr: PK-5 | 183 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #88.
Helena Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1025 North Rodney
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-1000
Gr: 6-8 | 701 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #99.
Rossiter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1497 Sierra Road East
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-1500
Gr: PK-5 | 369 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1010.
Capital High School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
100 Valley Drive
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-2500
Gr: 9-12 | 1,293 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1111.
Helena High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1300 Billings Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-2200
Gr: 9-12 | 979 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1212.
Broadwater School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
900 Hollins
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-1130
Gr: PK-5 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1313.
Kessler Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2420 Choteau Street
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-1700
Gr: PK-5 | 235 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1414.
Jim Darcy School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
990 Lincoln Road West
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-1410
Gr: PK-5 | 473 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1515.
Bryant School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1529 Boulder
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-1200
Gr: PK-5 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: n/an/a
Helena Montessori Charter School
Charter School
1325 Poplar Street
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-2000
Gr: K-5 | 198 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: n/an/a
Helena P.a.l.
1325 Poplar Street
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-2000
Gr: 9-12 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: n/an/a
Mount Ascension Learning Ac Elementary School
1325 Poplar Street
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-2000
Gr: K-5
Rank: n/an/a
Mount Ascension Learning Ac High School
1325 Poplar Street
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-2000
Gr: 9-12 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 43:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: n/an/a
Mount Ascension Learning Ac Middle School
1325 Poplar Street
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-2000
Gr: 6-8 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: n/an/a
Pine Hills Youth Corr Facil Elementary School
Alternative School
4 N Haynes Ave
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 232-1377
Gr: 6-8 | 3 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: n/an/a
Pine Hills Youth Corr Facil High School
Alternative School
4 N Haynes Ave
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 232-1377
Gr: 9-12 | 27 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 63%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Helena, MT?
The top-ranked public schools in Helena, MT include Jefferson School, Smith School and Warren School.
How many public schools are located in Helena?
22 public schools are located in Helena.
What percentage of students in Helena go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Helena are educated in public schools (compared to the MT state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Helena?
Helena public schools minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Montana public schools average of 24% (majority American Indian).
Which public schools in Helena are often viewed compared to one another?

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