Photo: Civilengtiger · CC BY-SA 4.0Helena’s public schools outscore 53% of Alabama districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Helena, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Math proficiency in Helena’s districts is 24%, below the Alabama average (27%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Alabama, not nationally.
From Alabama state tests taken in spring 2022, when 99% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Helena’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 61 Alabama towns with household incomes within a quarter of Helena’s, its schools beat 39%, lower than their 53% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 45% of tested students were proficient in reading and 24% in math, against 47% and 27% statewide; 99% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Alabama. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Shelby County spends $13,422 per student and Jefferson County $12,625, against $13,926 across Alabama (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Primrose School of Riverwoods (private) and Gospel Light Baptist Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Helena’s grade
B−: better than 53% of Alabama school districts, #97 of 187 Alabama towns. Graduation is above the Alabama average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Helena, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Helena
Helena Elementary School
Grades K–2 · 778 students · 17:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Helena
Helena Elementary School
Grades K–2 · 778 students · 17:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Helena
Helena Elementary School
Grades K–2 · 778 students · 17:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Helena
Helena Middle
Grades 6–8 · 957 students · 18:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Helena
Helena Middle
Grades 6–8 · 957 students · 18:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Helena
Helena Middle
Grades 6–8 · 957 students · 18:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Helena
Helena High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,383 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Helena
Helena High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,383 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Helena
Helena High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,383 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Helena
Helena High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,383 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Helena runs its own schools through grade 12 (Shelby County School District). From grade PK, students attend the Jefferson County School District, shared with Adamsville, Brighton, Brookside, Cardiff, Center Point, Clay, County Line, Fultondale, Gardendale, Graysville, Hueytown, Irondale, Kimberly, Lipscomb, Maytown, Morris, Mulga, North Johns, Pinson, Pleasant Grove, Sylvan Springs, Trafford, Warrior and West Jefferson. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Helena
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Helena vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Alabama towns that share Helena’s borders.
Every school in Helena
6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Alabama’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Helena’s schools
Are Helena’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Alabama: the public schools Helena children attend outscore 53% of Alabama’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #97 of 187 Alabama towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 39%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Helena in?
Two districts: Shelby County School District runs grades PK–12, and Jefferson County School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Adamsville, Brighton, Brookside, Cardiff, Center Point, Clay, County Line, Fultondale, Gardendale, Graysville, Hueytown, Irondale, Kimberly, Lipscomb, Maytown, Morris, Mulga, North Johns, Pinson, Pleasant Grove, Sylvan Springs, Trafford, Warrior and West Jefferson.
Where do Helena kids go to high school?
Helena High School, with 1,383 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is Helena’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in Jefferson County School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Alabama.
How much does Helena spend per student?
$13,422 in Shelby County School District and $12,625 in Jefferson County School District (FY2024), against $13,926 across Alabama. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Helena?
Yes: Primrose School of Riverwoods (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 170 students) and Gospel Light Baptist Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 42 students).
Parents talk
What Helena families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Helena → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Alabama. Stars are from neighbors.