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Schools in Helena Valley Northwest · Helena High School District, Helena Elementary School District

Helena Valley Northwest’s public schools outscore 68% of Montana districts

The grade covers the two public school districts serving Helena Valley Northwest, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Montana, not nationally.

#13of 41 Montana townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Montana state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% 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.

Reading proficiency
51%
▲ 5 pts vs MT 46%
2021–22
Math proficiency
37%
▲ 2 pts vs MT 35%
2021–22
Graduate on time
87%
▲ 2 pts vs MT 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.3K
▼ 2% vs MT $13.6K
FY2024 · Helena Elementary
Students per teacher
15.9
MT 13.7 · larger classes
Schools in town
1
4,466 students on the public path
In brief

Helena Valley Northwest’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 88 Montana towns with household incomes within a quarter of Helena Valley Northwest’s, its schools beat 59%, lower than their 68% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 51% and math 37% across both districts in spring 2022, against 46% and 35% statewide; 87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

Helena High spends $13,476 per student and Helena Elementary $13,260, against $13,570 across Montana (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Helena Valley Northwest’s grade

B+ Test scoresB Graduation

B+: better than 68% of Montana school districts, #13 of 41 Montana towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Montana average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Montana school districts we grade (241)Better than 68%
Lower resultsHigher results
Montana towns with similar household incomes (88)Better than 59%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 3,814 test results and a graduating class of 585 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Helena Valley Northwest’s students in the tested grades sat them (3,811 in math, 3,818 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Helena Valley Northwest, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Jim Darcy SchoolHelena Elementary School DistrictC+
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC+ to B+
9–123 high schoolsDepends on your addressB to B+

Helena Valley Northwest runs its own schools through grade 8 (Helena Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Helena High School District, shared with Helena. Its middle school is in Helena. Parts of Helena Valley Northwest (11% of its land) are served by Trinity Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Helena Valley Northwest

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Helena High School DistrictGrades 9–12 · 4 schools · 2,373 students · 15.7 per teacher (MT 13.7)
$13,476MT $13,570 · FY2024
B
Helena Elementary School DistrictGrades PK–8 · 15 schools · 5,100 students · 15.9 per teacher (MT 13.7)
$13,260MT $13,570 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading · 9–12, Helena High School District44%
State average 45.7% · 498 students tested
Math · 9–12, Helena High School District34%
State average 35.2% · 499 students tested
Reading · PK–8, Helena Elementary School District52%
State average 45.7% · 3320 students tested
Math · PK–8, Helena Elementary School District38%
State average 35.2% · 3312 students tested

Helena Valley Northwest vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Montana towns that share Helena Valley Northwest’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Helena Valley NorthwestB+Helena Elementary PK–8 · Helena High 9–12

Every school in Helena Valley Northwest

6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Montana’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Helena Valley Northwestby address
Jim Darcy School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Helena
C+
473 students19:1Rate it →
Also serving Helena Valley Northwestin other towns
C R Anderson Middle Schl
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Helena
B+
962 students16:1Rate it →
Helena Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Helena
C+
701 students17:1Rate it →
Capital High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Helena
B
1,293 students16:1Rate it →
Helena High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Helena
B+
979 students16:1Rate it →
Helena P.A.L.
High · Grades 9–12 · Helena
58 students8:1Rate it →

Questions about Helena Valley Northwest’s schools

Are Helena Valley Northwest’s schools good?

By Montana’s own tests, yes: the public schools Helena Valley Northwest children attend outscore 68% of Montana’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #13 of 41 Montana towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 59%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Helena Valley Northwest in?

Two districts: Helena Elementary School District runs grades PK–8, and Helena High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Helena.

Where do Helena Valley Northwest kids go to high school?

One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Capital High School, Helena High School and Helena P.A.L..

What is Helena Valley Northwest’s graduation rate?

87% of the class of 2023 in Helena High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across Montana.

How much does Helena Valley Northwest spend per student?

$13,476 in Helena High School District and $13,260 in Helena Elementary School District (FY2024), against $13,570 across Montana. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Helena Valley Northwest families are saying about school.

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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 Montana. Stars are from neighbors.