Charles A. Broadwater House · Photo: Jon Roanhaus · CC BY-SA 4.0Helena West Side’s public schools outscore 68% of Montana districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Helena West Side, 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.
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.
Helena West Side’s schools, in brief
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.
What’s behind Helena West Side’s grade
B+: better than 68% of Montana school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Montana average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Helena West Side, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Helena West Side · depends on your address
C R Anderson Middle Schl
Grades 6–8 · 962 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Helena
Helena Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 701 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Helena
7th grade in Helena West Side · depends on your address
C R Anderson Middle Schl
Grades 6–8 · 962 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Helena
Helena Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 701 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Helena
8th grade in Helena West Side · depends on your address
C R Anderson Middle Schl
Grades 6–8 · 962 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Helena
Helena Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 701 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Helena
9th grade in Helena West Side · depends on your address
Capital High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,293 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Helena
Helena High School
Grades 9–12 · 979 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Helena
Helena P.A.L.
Grades 9–12 · 58 students · 8:1 students per teacher · in Helena
10th grade in Helena West Side · depends on your address
Capital High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,293 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Helena
Helena High School
Grades 9–12 · 979 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Helena
Helena P.A.L.
Grades 9–12 · 58 students · 8:1 students per teacher · in Helena
11th grade in Helena West Side · depends on your address
Capital High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,293 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Helena
Helena High School
Grades 9–12 · 979 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Helena
Helena P.A.L.
Grades 9–12 · 58 students · 8:1 students per teacher · in Helena
12th grade in Helena West Side · depends on your address
Capital High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,293 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Helena
Helena High School
Grades 9–12 · 979 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Helena
Helena P.A.L.
Grades 9–12 · 58 students · 8:1 students per teacher · in Helena
Helena West Side 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 elementary school is in Helena. Parts of Helena West Side (2% of its land) are served by Trinity Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Helena West Side
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Helena West Side vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Montana towns that share Helena West Side’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Helena West Side | B+ | Helena Elementary PK–8 · Helena High 9–12 |
| Helena | B+ | Helena Elementary PK–8 · Helena High 9–12 |
Every school in Helena West Side
17 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).
Questions about Helena West Side’s schools
Are Helena West Side’s schools good?
By Montana’s own tests, yes: the public schools Helena West Side children attend outscore 68% of Montana’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 64%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Helena West Side 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 West Side 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 West Side’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 West Side 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 West Side families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Helena West Side → 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 Montana. Stars are from neighbors.