Photo: Tracey Elizabeth · CC BY 2.0Helena’s public schools outscore 68% of Montana districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Helena, 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’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 157 Montana towns with household incomes within a quarter of Helena’s, its schools beat 61%, 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 ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Andrew School (private), Bloom Montessori School (private), Mountainside Montessori (private), Shodair Children's Hospital (private) and Intermountain (private) are in town. Mount Ascension Learning Ac HS, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 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.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Helena, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Helena · depends on your address
C R Anderson Middle Schl
Grades 6–8 · 962 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Helena Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 701 students · 17:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Helena · depends on your address
C R Anderson Middle Schl
Grades 6–8 · 962 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Helena Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 701 students · 17:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Helena · depends on your address
C R Anderson Middle Schl
Grades 6–8 · 962 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Helena Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 701 students · 17:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Helena · depends on your address
Capital High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,293 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Helena High School
Grades 9–12 · 979 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Helena P.A.L.
Grades 9–12 · 58 students · 8:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Helena · depends on your address
Capital High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,293 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Helena High School
Grades 9–12 · 979 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Helena P.A.L.
Grades 9–12 · 58 students · 8:1 students per teacher
Helena runs its own schools through grade 8 (Helena Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Helena High School District. Parts of Helena (5% of its land) are served by East Helena K-12 instead. 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.
Well above the state in reading
Helena vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Montana towns that share Helena’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Helena | B+ | Helena Elementary PK–8 · Helena High 9–12 |
| East Helena | B | East Helena K-12 |
Every school in Helena
20 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).
Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Mount Ascension Learning Ac EL and Mount Ascension Learning Ac MS).
Questions about Helena’s schools
Are Helena’s schools good?
By Montana’s own tests, yes: the public schools Helena 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 61%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Helena in?
Two districts: Helena Elementary School District runs grades PK–8, and Helena High School District runs grades 9–12.
Where do Helena 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’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 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.
Are there private schools in Helena?
Yes: St. Andrew School (Catholic, grades PK–12, 199 students), Bloom Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–3, 105 students), Mountainside Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 53 students), Shodair Children's Hospital (nonsectarian, grades 7–11, 15 students) and Intermountain (nonsectarian, grades 2–7, 7 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 Montana. Stars are from neighbors.