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Public School Review - Established 2003

Helena Elementary School District

1325 Poplar Street
Helena, MT 59601
(District boundaries shown in map)
: 
9/
10
Top 20%
Tel: (406) 324-2001
helenaschools.org

Top Rankings

Helena Elementary School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Montana for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 5,100 students in Helena Elementary School District. This district's average testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in Montana.
Public Schools in Helena Elementary School District have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the Montana public school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Montana public school average of 24% (majority American Indian).

Overview

This School District
This State (MT)
# Schools
16 Schools
845 Schools
# Students
5,100 Students
147,515 Students
# Teachers
321 Teachers
10,737 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1

Student By Grade

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends

GradeHelena Elementary School DistrictMontana
Pre-K858
Kind50125
152126
251628
364829
456729
557729
656429
753628
858529
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District Rank

Helena Elementary School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 335 school districts in Montana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
Definition of Terms
This School District
State Average (MT)
#62 out of 350 school districts
(Top 20%)

Overall School District Rank Trends

YearHelena Elementary School District
2023#62
2022#121
2021#150
2019#112
2018#128
2017#44
2016#82
2015#127
2014#1
2013#140
2012#154
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41%
37%

Math Proficiency Trends

YearHelena Elementary School DistrictMontana
202341%37%
202238%35%
202134%36%
201947%42%
201848%42%
201750%41%
201647%43%
201545%40%
201480%70%
201368%66%
201268%68%
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52%
46%

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends

YearHelena Elementary School DistrictMontana
202252%46%
202151%47%
201956%50%
201848%51%
201759%51%
201657%50%
201554%48%
201480%70%
201385%84%
201287%86%
201186%84%
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48%
37%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.29
0.40

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends

YearHelena Elementary School DistrictMontana
20240.290.39
20230.300.39
20220.300.38
20210.300.38
20200.240.38
20190.240.38
20180.200.36
20170.200.36
20160.200.36
20150.190.35
20140.190.35
20130.200.33
20120.190.34
20110.190.33
20100.180.30
20090.180.29
20080.190.28
20070.180.28
20060.190.27
20050.190.27
20040.190.27
20030.190.27
20020.170.26
20010.150.26
20000.130.25
19990.120.24
19980.120.24
19970.120.24
19960.120.22
19950.120.22
19940.130.22
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% American Indian
3%
10%

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2024)

YearHelena Elementary School DistrictMontana
20244%10%
20233%10%
20223%11%
20212%11%
20202%11%
20192%11%
20184%12%
20174%12%
20165%12%
20154%11%
20144%11%
20135%11%
20125%12%
20115%11%
20106%12%
20096%12%
20086%11%
20076%12%
20066%12%
20056%11%
20046%11%
20036%11%
20026%11%
20016%11%
20005%11%
19994%10%
19984%10%
19974%10%
19964%10%
19954%10%
19945%10%
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% Asian
1%
1%

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)

YearHelena Elementary School DistrictMontana
20231%1%
20221%1%
20211%1%
20201%1%
20191%1%
20181%1%
20171%1%
20161%1%
20141%1%
20131%1%
20121%1%
20111%1%
20101%1%
20091%1%
20081%1%
20071%1%
20061%1%
20051%1%
20041%1%
20031%1%
20021%1%
20011%1%
20001%1%
19991%1%
19981%1%
19971%1%
19961%1%
19951%1%
19941%1%
19931%1%
19911%1%
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% Hispanic
8%
7%

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2024)

YearHelena Elementary School DistrictMontana
20248%6%
20238%6%
20228%5%
20219%5%
20204%5%
20194%5%
20183%4%
20173%4%
20163%4%
20153%4%
20143%4%
20133%4%
20123%4%
20113%4%
20102%3%
20092%3%
20082%3%
20072%2%
20062%2%
20052%2%
20042%2%
20032%2%
20022%2%
20011%2%
20001%2%
19991%2%
19981%1%
19971%2%
19961%1%
19951%1%
19941%1%
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% Black
1%
1%

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2002-2024)

YearHelena Elementary School DistrictMontana
20241%1%
20231%1%
20221%1%
20211%1%
20201%1%
20191%1%
20151%1%
20141%1%
20131%1%
20121%1%
20112%1%
20101%1%
20091%1%
20081%1%
20071%1%
20051%1%
20041%1%
20031%1%
20021%1%
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% White
84%
76%

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2024)

YearHelena Elementary School DistrictMontana
202484%77%
202384%77%
202283%78%
202183%78%
202087%78%
201987%78%
201889%79%
201789%79%
201689%79%
201590%80%
201490%80%
201390%81%
201290%81%
201189%82%
201090%83%
200990%83%
200890%84%
200790%84%
200690%85%
200590%85%
200490%85%
200390%85%
200290%85%
200192%85%
200093%86%
199994%86%
199894%87%
199794%87%
199694%88%
199594%88%
199493%88%
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% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
5%

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2014-2024)

YearHelena Elementary School DistrictMontana
20243%5%
20233%5%
20224%4%
20214%4%
20205%4%
20195%4%
20183%3%
20173%3%
20162%3%
20152%3%
20141%3%
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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $14,736 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,490. The school district revenue/student has grown by 15% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,891 is less than the state median of $15,580. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
Definition of Terms
This School District
This State (MT)
Total Revenue
$75 MM
$2,285 MM

Total Revenues Trends

YearHelena Elementary School DistrictMontana
2023$75 MM$2 MM
2022$68 MM$2 MM
2021$75 MM$2 MM
2020$68 MM$2 MM
2019$66 MM$2 MM
2018$63 MM$2 MM
2017$57 MM$2 MM
2016$53 MM$2 MM
2015$50 MM$2 MM
2014$54 MM$2 MM
2012$51 MM$2 MM
2011$54 MM$2 MM
2010$50 MM$2 MM
2009$48 MM$1 MM
2008$45 MM$2 MM
2007$41 MM$1 MM
2006$39 MM$1 MM
2005$38 MM$1 MM
2004$36 MM$1 MM
2003$35 MM$1 MM
2002$33 MM$1 MM
2001$32 MM$1 MM
2000$29 MM$1 MM
1999$28 MM$1 MM
1998$29 MM$1 MM
1997$28 MM$1 MM
1996$27 MM$1 MM
1995$26 MM$1 MM
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Spending
$71 MM
$2,298 MM

Total Expenditure Trends

YearHelena Elementary School DistrictMontana
2023$71 MM$2 MM
2022$69 MM$2 MM
2021$71 MM$2 MM
2020$69 MM$2 MM
2019$95 MM$2 MM
2018$90 MM$2 MM
2017$55 MM$2 MM
2016$54 MM$2 MM
2015$50 MM$2 MM
2014$54 MM$2 MM
2012$50 MM$2 MM
2011$54 MM$2 MM
2010$50 MM$2 MM
2009$47 MM$1 MM
2008$44 MM$1 MM
2007$39 MM$1 MM
2006$38 MM$1 MM
2005$37 MM$1 MM
2004$36 MM$1 MM
2003$33 MM$1 MM
2002$32 MM$1 MM
2001$30 MM$1 MM
2000$29 MM$1 MM
1999$27 MM$1 MM
1998$27 MM$1 MM
1997$28 MM$1 MM
1996$28 MM$1 MM
1995$26 MM$1 MM
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Revenue / Student
$14,736
$15,490

Average Revenue Per Student Trends

YearHelena Elementary School DistrictMontana
2023$14,383$17,353
2022$12,715$17,118
2021$14,670$18,438
2020$12,715$17,118
2019$12,522$16,964
2018$12,154$17,300
2017$10,960$17,087
2016$10,324$16,286
2015$9,645$15,305
2014$10,486$16,457
2012$9,920$16,184
2011$10,555$15,398
2010$9,746$15,305
2009$9,381$13,611
2008$9,064$14,981
2007$8,352$13,019
2006$7,960$12,206
2005$7,673$11,851
2004$7,230$11,519
2003$6,881$10,500
2002$6,618$10,028
2001$6,333$9,685
2000$5,857$9,308
1999$5,596$8,330
1998$5,534$8,573
1997$5,216$7,655
1995$4,616$7,082
1992$4,498$7,082
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Spending / Student
$13,891
$15,580

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends

YearHelena Elementary School DistrictMontana
2023$13,558$16,311
2022$12,953$16,545
2021$13,828$17,330
2020$12,953$16,545
2019$18,010$16,216
2018$17,276$17,245
2017$10,571$16,779
2016$10,395$16,362
2015$9,709$14,876
2014$10,560$16,381
2012$9,710$15,796
2011$10,519$15,854
2010$9,812$14,876
2009$9,181$13,259
2008$8,854$13,942
2007$7,947$12,364
2006$7,647$11,636
2005$7,496$11,089
2004$7,184$10,717
2003$6,581$10,434
2002$6,432$9,725
2001$5,962$9,463
2000$5,793$9,009
1999$5,409$8,277
1998$5,321$8,100
1997$5,106$7,814
1995$4,731$7,055
1992$3,903$6,494
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Best Helena Elementary School District Public Schools (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.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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
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 Middle School
1325 Poplar Street
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 324-2000
Gr: 6-8 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 23%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Helena Elementary School District?
Helena Elementary School District manages 16 public schools serving 5,100 students.
What is the rank of Helena Elementary School District?
Helena Elementary School District is ranked #119 out of 335 school districts in Montana (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Montana school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 20%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Helena Elementary School District?
84% of Helena Elementary School District students are White, 8% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are American Indian, 3% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Helena Elementary School District?
Helena Elementary School District has a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, which is higher than the Montana state average of 14:1.
What is Helena Elementary School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $13,891 is less than the state median of $15,580. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 16 schools
  • Grades: PK-08
  • Enrollment: 5,100 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 16%
  • : Top 20% in MT
  • : 41% (Top 30%)
  • : 52% (Top 20%)
  • : 48% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MT Dept. of Education

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