Helena Elementary School

187 3rd Street

School District

Shelby County
Grade

K-2
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Shelby County School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 13, 2022

Amazing school with amazing teachers and security!
Submitted by parent on July 23, 2019

We have loved our experience at Helena Elementary!! The teachers and leaders are excellent!
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2018

Helena has the best schools!! We don’t have to worry about traffic because my kids ride the bus. The teachers and staff go out of their way for my children. The school isn’t perfect and can do better but many schools are that way. I know my children are loved and cared for. They both love going to school there. They had a choice to go to my school and they chose to stay in their school.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2018

Fabulous. Have loved every aspect. I Also have a child that uses parts of the special education department. And they have been wonderful.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2016

The school is Okay at best because the school traffic is TERRIBLE and the way they encourage you to drive is ineffective! The police are RUDE and does a HORRIBLE job at directing traffic and allow some cars or people they know to turn at stop signs to go directly to the school while forcibly directing others to sit in a long-line hold-up traffic to get into a car line that is back up by two traffic lights. This does not give consideration for any other drivers on the road trying to go any where. They seem to like to keep traffic on the road instead of encouraging cars to go directly to their destination (the school) especially seeing there is no line to turn and drop off your student. Instead they have you drive an additional seemly half mile to go back to where you started. My Kindergartner is not growing academically at this school it is seemly just play time for him. We feel like we are wasting his precious time at this school and the only time he is learning anything new is at home. He should be so much further than just doing things my 3 year old knows??? I encourage parents to do more research before making a large move to send your child to this school. I have not had a problem with the Administration. I like the principal however my child is not growing academically at this school. I am about to home school my children and take them out of the public school system. This seems to be the best decision for my family.
Submitted by parent on November 26, 2015

My husband and I are so disapointed and suprised at our terrible experience at HES. The whole reason we moved to Helena was because we had heard nothing but wonderful things about the growing school system. To explain this futher, when we moved to Helena we weren't even pregnant with our now six year old....we planned many years in advance!We bent over backwards for the school and did everything that we could to help them with our spirited son, but after all is said and done, we are homeschooling him. Our six year old made it 20 days in Kindergarten before he was suspended for not being able to follow directions. Yes, our six year old was suspended...a most ridiculous notion. It was evident that his very green teacher was incapable of dealing with him and he spent little time in the classroom or with his peers. We refused to let our son be a "test subject" for this brand new teacher, but HES would not move him to another room with an experienced teacher. I can't believe that they let this happen. HES failed our son and we are unsure if we can trust public school ever again.It has been 11 weeks since we removed our son from Kindergarden at HES. In what little time has passed, our son is currently studying 1st grade and he is reading at a 2nd grade level. If that doesn't speak volumes to how little his "teacher" was actually teaching, then I don't know what does.Not every child learns in the same way. True educators know this and do everything in their power to help every single child succeed. I pray that what happened to us and to our son never happens to another child at HES. He is missing out on so much because of how they handled things and my heart hurts for him.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2015

I was unsure, uncertain, and nervous going into my oldest's first year of Kindergarten. Registration was chaotic despite them trying to organize it but I was very very happy as the school year began and progressed. I could not have asked for a better teacher and a better kindergarten year! From what I hear most of the kindergarten teachers are amazing. I cannot speak for them or any of the teachers at other grade levels, but ours was absolutely amazing and my daughter also loved all of the teachers and coaches who taught the specials. Some of the staff are intimidating and sometimes almost confrontational or cold at times, but for the most part we tried to understand and let it roll off. While I see that those moments could be needed with parents I do think at times their approach could be different. All said they are very safe and care greatly about the kids.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2015

I really do not know of any other parent personally that would rate this school a "5"; so I assume the faculty reviewed here as well. As stated below, the horrible traffic problem cannot be rightfully blamed on HES; however for those of us that take our children to school in the mornings, well, just pray for no trains on the tracks because your child will get a tardy. The office personnel is indeed unfriendly, as is a number of faculty. The common core curriculum that they teach, again not by their own fault; however some of the mandatory assignments you will find uncomfortable. An example is concentrating more on "mother earth" and the environment than mathematics or science. The school that our child attended last year was a much better elementary school all together. They do offer after school care and they do look out for the kids and take care of them. They are a bit friendlier than the faculty, except for the lady that is in charge of signing your child out. She is very unfriendly and has no problem criticizing you if you have the wrong "school" colors on, or how you might look that day etc. I understand the kids in after school avoid her because the consider her "mean".
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2014

Good teachers but office staff can be rude. Principal is rude too and the morning traffic is terrible and the school doesn't seem to care.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2014

Great teachers and always willing to help. You might have the one or two that may need to retire but overall they are very dedicated and enjoy being at HES.
Submitted by parent on July 26, 2012

HES is the BEST!! Words cannot begin to describe what a blessing the Teachers, Faculty, Counselors, Specialty Teachers (Art, Computer, Music, Library), even the Cafeteria & Janitorial staff, have been during my son's 1st year of school. Now he's registered for 1st grade & we have full confidence that this year will be just as wonderful as last year!! Thank You HES(:
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2011

We love our school! My son receives special education services and we could not be more please with the services he's received at HES.
Submitted by other on May 20, 2010

I have had two children go through the Helena Schools and was very pleased with the results. I just want our schools to have the tools to teach the kids as they did when my children were there. Our State has cut out all funds to the classroom and they have no way to buy supplies they need and this would really help them. Every teacher needs a fighting chance.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2010

The faculty is great, both of my kids have had good experiences there.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2010

This school cares about it's students. They are always sending notes home to inform parent on what they have learned and what they plan to learn. The kids are always to excited to see what will happen tomorrow.
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2010

My Daughter has been at Helena Elementary for 2 years now and we have loved it! Looking forward to little sister starting in 2011. I could not ask for a better education for my children and the teachers are amazing!!!
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2010

We were apprehensive about sending our daughter to a public school with a special need, but the teachers and staff there really embraced the need and meet the need resulting in my daughter loving school to the point of wanting to be a teacher. I have always been taught that teaching kids is not the difficult part. Inspiring them to want to learn is. The teachers and staff there have accomplished this.
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2010

Helena Elementary is a wonderful school with great faculty. I already have one child there and next year I will have both my kids there.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2010

My child is so happy at Helena Elementary. The teachers, staff and students are all great. The educational experience is top notch.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2010

Provides excellent education in a safe, caring environment.