Jefferson School

1023 East Broadway Street

School District

Helena Elementary
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Helena Elementary 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 October 06, 2016

We have been at this school two years now and we absolutely LOVE it! We have had teachers from 1st - 4th grades and we adore them all!! I have 2 children that go here and they both love the school and all the staff. Lona the Principal is great very kind and helpful, Nelly the front office lady is awesome and always knowledgeable, the music teacher is totally the best and does amazing holiday and end of the year programs. The teachers we've had so far have been phenomenal! Very willing to help, very caring, fun, open minded, creative, and excellent communication. My favorite thing is how welcoming and personalized they are as a whole, they all know me and know which kids are mine, they are really a great school. Also the parents are great very friendly and involved, everyone has everyone's phone number and I haven't had any drama yet. Love the school love the community two thumbs up!
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2013

Let me first say, I love Helena. Great little city and some truly wonderful people. Unfortunately, this is not a good school. Having experienced schools and districts across the country, I am familiar with good educators and ones who are there collecting a paycheck. The principal at this school is the latter - not someone who seems to have much experience educating children or herself. And likely is at this school because she would not succeed with greater responsibility or in a larger market. Her attitude is very 1950s "children are to be seen and not heard." As a parent of a gifted child, I've found the best teachers and administrators encourage children to think for themselves, and are comfortable with children expressing themselves as individuals. This school and its principal seemed unfamiliar with the concept of critical thinking, instead becoming defensive at a child who questions. And sadly unfamiliar with the basics of conflict resolution, allowing playground spats amongst children to rise to the level of trips to the principal. My suggestion would be more education for the principal and more familiarity with modern schools and their administration best practices.
Submitted by parent on March 21, 2012

We love this school and decided to relinquish our coveted montessori spot to stay at Jefferson. The teachers have all been very responsive both in person and responding to e-mail. My kids feel very involved and a part of the school community, which is important to me. The new math program is excellent and I love how passionate the teachers are about it. One of my children has special needs and when I requested an IEP evaluation everyone from the principal to the school psychiatrist were prompt, kind, and excellent. The parents I know who aren't happy at Jefferson tend to have a combative "it's your fault not my child" attitude, and I think the principal doesn't handle those parents very well, even if the child has special needs.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2011

We moved here this year and have had a great experience with being involved in the school and the teachers. Teachers and principal are very responsive to e-mail communication and very personable. It's way more traditional than the montessori we were at in another state, but so far the teachers encourage the children to learn and be creative while still being very open to all types of learning styles.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2011

wow i am not sure where some of these people come from but we LOVE Jefferson School. I love the activitys they do with the children, they have to most wonderful music teacher who always puts on great programs and the Principal is awesome. I will be so sad the day all 6 of my children move on in grade. The staff and teachers are excellent and we have never had a problem with this school. But then again there are only 2 types of people who write reveiw those who LOVE something and those who had one bad experience, so they just want to bad mouth something. Let me guess you are only bad mouthing Jefferson because your spoiled little kid didnt get their way
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2010

I'm surprised at the negative reviews given to this school. We loved how well it has worked for our son...so much in fact that when moving we chose to stay in the same school. The music teacher mentioned is still there and is excellent. The teachers are responsive and communicative. I found the prinicipal to be likewise. Every person will have a different experience but ours has been great.