Jefferson School

As a mid-sized elementary-level community in Helena, Montana, Jefferson School hosts 245 students from grades pre-K through 5, part of Helena Elem. Compared to the state average of about 167 students per school, that is 47% larger than typical.

Within Helena Elem, which oversees 15 schools and 5,100 students, Jefferson School is one campus in the system.

Looking at the student body, Jefferson School records that nearly all students (85%) are White; the rest reads as 9% Hispanic, 3% Native American, 2% multiracial.

Looking at the economic backdrop, The school currently runs with 13 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 19.2:1. That figure is higher than the state norm's 11.9:1 average. Roughly 20% of students at Jefferson School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment. That share is south of Lewis and Clark County's rate of about 38%.

Across the wider county, ACS estimates for Lewis and Clark County put median household earnings sit near $78,237, roughly 43% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 3% of residents live below the federal poverty line. In all, Lewis and Clark County runs 36 public schools (combined enrollment of about 9,786 students), of which Jefferson School is one.

The closest other public school is Central School, roughly 0.7 miles away. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius.

The school occupies a downtown site.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count contracted 12%: 277 students in 2018 compared to 245 in 2025. Over the same period, the Hispanic share expanded from 1% to 9%. Class-load math has loosened: from 15.4:1 in 2018 to 19.2:1 in 2025.

On the community side, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around science fair prep, picture-day reminders, and bus-route questions. Anyone with firsthand experience at this school can post or comment.