Helena / West Helena School District

305 Valley Dr
Helena, AR 72342
(District boundaries shown in map)
1/
10
Bottom 50%
For the 2025 school year, there are 2 public schools serving 1,012 students in Helena / West Helena School District. This district's average testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Arkansas.
Public Schools in Helena / West Helena School District have an average math proficiency score of 8% (versus the Arkansas public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 17% (versus the 40% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Arkansas public school average of 42% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (AR)
# Schools
2 Schools
1,113 Schools
# Students
1,012 Students
486,278 Students
# Teachers
94 Teachers
38,885 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1

District Rank

Helena / West Helena School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 259 school districts in Arkansas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 80-84% has decreased from 85-89% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (AR)
#245 out of 259 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of Helena / West Helena   School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
9%
38%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Helena / West Helena   School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Arkansas by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
17%
40%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Helena / West Helena   School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Arkansas by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
12%
36%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Helena / West Helena   School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Arkansas by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
80-84%
88%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of Helena / West Helena   School District and public school graduation rate of Arkansas by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.13
0.61
# American Indian Students
2 Students
2,795 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
2 Students
8,863 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
2%
# Hispanic Students
10 Students
71,104 Students
% Hispanic Students
1%
15%
# Black Students
941 Students
95,234 Students
% Black Students
93%
19%
# White Students
39 Students
280,828 Students
% White Students
4%
58%
# Hawaiian Students
1 Student
4,968 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
17 Students
22,696 Students
% of Two or more races Students
2%
5%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
23
10,102
# Students in K Grade:
77
34,888
# Students in 1st Grade:
95
35,894
# Students in 2nd Grade:
67
37,078
# Students in 3rd Grade:
70
35,996
# Students in 4th Grade:
62
35,976
# Students in 5th Grade:
58
36,066
# Students in 6th Grade:
67
36,237
# Students in 7th Grade:
84
36,641
# Students in 8th Grade:
74
37,270
# Students in 9th Grade:
94
39,879
# Students in 10th Grade:
92
39,658
# Students in 11th Grade:
72
37,700
# Students in 12th Grade:
77
32,719
# Ungraded Students:
-
174

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $18,167 is higher than the state median of $12,887. The school district revenue/student has grown by 15% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,674 is higher than the state median of $12,800. The school district spending/student has grown by 15% over four school years.
This School District
This State (AR)
Total Revenue
$18 MM
$6,371 MM
This chart displays total revenue of Helena / West Helena   School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in Arkansas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$16 MM
$6,327 MM
This chart displays total spending of Helena / West Helena   School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in Arkansas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$18,167
$12,887
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in Helena / West Helena   School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in Arkansas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$15,674
$12,800
This chart displays average spending per public school student in Helena / West Helena   School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in Arkansas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Helena / West Helena School District Public Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
J.f. Wahl Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
125 Hicklory Hill
Helena, AR 72342
(870) 338-4425
Grades: PK-6
| 541 students
Rank: #22.
Central High School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
103 School Rd
West Helena, AR 72390
(870) 572-6744
Grades: 7-12
| 436 students

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Helena / West Helena School District?
Helena / West Helena School District manages 2 public schools serving 1,012 students.
What is the rank of Helena / West Helena School District?
Helena / West Helena School District is ranked #249 out of 259 school districts in Arkansas (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year.
What is the racial composition of students in Helena / West Helena School District?
93% of Helena / West Helena School District students are Black, 4% of students are White, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Helena / West Helena School District?
Helena / West Helena School District has a student/teacher ratio of 11:1, which is lower than the Arkansas state average of 13:1.
What is Helena / West Helena School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $15,674 is higher than the state median of $12,800. The school district spending/student has grown by 15% over four school years.

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 2 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 1,012 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 11:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 96%
  • : 80-84% (Btm 50% in AR)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 9% (Btm 50%)
  • : 17% (Btm 50%)
  • : 12% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AR Dept. of Education

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