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Helena / West Helena School District

Item: Helena / West Helena School District
Rating: 1
Author: Public School Review

305 Valley Dr
Helena, AR 72342

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (870) 338-4425

hwh.grsc.k12.ar.us

For the 2025-26 school year, there are 2 public schools serving 977 students in Helena / West Helena School District. This district's average is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Arkansas.

Public Schools in Helena / West Helena School District have an score of 10% (versus the Arkansas public school average of 39%), and score of 17% (versus the 40% statewide average).

Minority enrollment is 97% 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

1,109 Schools

# Students

977 Students

485,093 Students

# Teachers

90 Teachers

38,778 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

11:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Helena / West Helena School District	Arkansas
Pre-K	57	35
Kind	76	120
1	72	123
2	85	127
3	59	124
4	63	123
5	74	124
6	55	124
7	63	126
8	76	128
9	64	137
10	93	135
11	71	129
12	69	112

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District Rank

Helena / West Helena School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 257 school districts in Arkansas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 87% has increased from 80-84% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (AR)

#242 out of 258 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Helena / West Helena School District
2023	#242
2022	#245
2021	#239
2019	#250
2018	#251
2017	#251
2016	#250
2015	#245
2014	#242
2013	#247
2012	#247

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10%

39%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Helena / West Helena School District	Arkansas
2023	10%	39%
2022	9%	38%
2021	9%	36%
2019	15%	47%
2018	16%	47%
2017	18%	47%
2016	18%	44%
2015	6%	25%
2014	43%	73%
2013	47%	75%
2012	51%	78%

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17%

40%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Helena / West Helena School District	Arkansas
2022	17%	40%
2021	17%	37%
2019	20%	45%
2018	16%	44%
2017	29%	53%
2016	23%	48%
2015	15%	34%
2014	57%	77%
2013	58%	78%
2012	62%	80%
2011	57%	73%

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12%

36%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Helena / West Helena School District	Arkansas
2022	12%	36%
2021	12%	34%

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87%

88%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Helena / West Helena School District	Arkansas
2023	87%	88%
2022	82%	88%
2021	82%	87%
2020	87%	88%
2019	92%	86%
2018	82%	88%
2017	87%	87%
2016	77%	86%
2015	77%	84%
2014	72%	86%
2013	72%	84%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.12

0.61

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Helena / West Helena School District	Arkansas
2023	0.16	0.60
2022	0.15	0.60
2021	0.15	0.58
2020	0.14	0.58
2019	0.14	0.58
2018	0.15	0.58
2017	0.15	0.58
2016	0.14	0.57
2015	0.14	0.57
2014	0.10	0.55
2013	0.11	0.55
2012	0.14	0.54
2011	0.14	0.53
2010	0.13	0.53
2009	0.09	0.51
2008	0.09	0.51
2007	0.10	0.49
2006	0.11	0.48
2005	0.11	0.47
2004	0.13	0.46
2003	0.14	0.45
2002	0.15	0.45
2001	0.17	0.43
2000	0.19	0.42
1999	0.20	0.42
1998	0.24	0.41
1997	0.25	0.41
1996	0.28	0.40
1995	0.28	0.40
1994	0.30	0.40
1993	0.32	0.39
1992	0.34	0.39
1991	0.34	0.40

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

% Hispanic

15%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1996-2023)
Year	Helena / West Helena School District	Arkansas
2023	1%	14%
2022	1%	14%
2000	1%	3%
1996	1%	1%

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% Black

94%

19%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Helena / West Helena School District	Arkansas
2023	92%	19%
2022	92%	20%
2021	93%	20%
2020	92%	20%
2019	92%	20%
2018	93%	21%
2017	93%	21%
2016	93%	21%
2015	93%	21%
2014	95%	21%
2013	94%	21%
2012	93%	21%
2011	94%	21%
2010	93%	22%
2009	95%	22%
2008	96%	23%
2007	95%	23%
2006	94%	22%
2005	95%	23%
2004	93%	23%
2003	93%	23%
2002	92%	23%
2001	91%	23%
2000	90%	23%
1999	89%	23%
1998	87%	24%
1997	86%	24%
1996	84%	24%
1995	84%	24%
1994	82%	24%
1993	81%	24%
1992	79%	24%
1991	79%	24%

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% White

58%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Helena / West Helena School District	Arkansas
2023	7%	59%
2022	7%	59%
2021	6%	60%
2020	7%	61%
2019	7%	61%
2018	7%	60%
2017	7%	60%
2016	7%	61%
2015	7%	61%
2014	4%	63%
2013	5%	64%
2012	7%	64%
2011	6%	65%
2010	6%	65%
2009	5%	66%
2008	4%	66%
2007	5%	67%
2006	6%	69%
2005	5%	69%
2004	7%	70%
2003	7%	70%
2002	8%	71%
2001	9%	72%
2000	9%	73%
1999	11%	73%
1998	13%	73%
1997	14%	73%
1996	15%	74%
1995	16%	74%
1994	18%	74%
1993	19%	74%
1992	21%	74%
1991	21%	74%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2010-2021)
Year	Helena / West Helena School District	Arkansas
2021	1%	3%
2020	1%	3%
2019	1%	3%
2014	1%	2%
2013	1%	1%
2010	1%	1%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $18,818 is higher than the state median of $13,133. The school district revenue/student has grown by 20% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $16,235 is higher than the state median of $13,044. The school district spending/student has grown by 20% over four school years.

This School District

This State (AR)

Total Revenue

$18 MM

$6,371 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Helena / West Helena School District	Arkansas
2023	$18 MM	$11 MM
2022	$19 MM	$11 MM
2021	$18 MM	$11 MM
2020	$19 MM	$11 MM
2019	$22 MM	$10 MM
2018	$18 MM	$10 MM
2017	$21 MM	$10 MM
2016	$19 MM	$10 MM
2015	$30 MM	$10 MM
2014	$21 MM	$10 MM
2012	$27 MM	$10 MM
2011	$30 MM	$10 MM
2010	$30 MM	$10 MM
2009	$29 MM	$9 MM
2008	$31 MM	$9 MM
2007	$31 MM	$9 MM
2006	$32 MM	$8 MM
2005	$31 MM	$8 MM
2004	$24 MM	$5 MM
2003	$28 MM	$5 MM
2002	$24 MM	$5 MM
2001	$24 MM	$5 MM
2000	$24 MM	$4 MM
1999	$21 MM	$4 MM
1998	$21 MM	$4 MM
1997	$20 MM	$4 MM
1996	$19 MM	$3 MM
1995	$18 MM	$3 MM

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Spending

$16 MM

$6,327 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Helena / West Helena School District	Arkansas
2023	$16 MM	$12 MM
2022	$23 MM	$11 MM
2021	$16 MM	$12 MM
2020	$23 MM	$11 MM
2019	$36 MM	$10 MM
2018	$22 MM	$10 MM
2017	$23 MM	$10 MM
2016	$19 MM	$10 MM
2015	$33 MM	$10 MM
2014	$23 MM	$9 MM
2012	$26 MM	$10 MM
2011	$28 MM	$11 MM
2010	$33 MM	$10 MM
2009	$32 MM	$10 MM
2008	$32 MM	$9 MM
2007	$31 MM	$9 MM
2006	$29 MM	$8 MM
2005	$27 MM	$8 MM
2004	$28 MM	$5 MM
2003	$26 MM	$5 MM
2002	$23 MM	$5 MM
2001	$25 MM	$4 MM
2000	$23 MM	$4 MM
1999	$23 MM	$4 MM
1998	$19 MM	$4 MM
1997	$20 MM	$4 MM
1996	$18 MM	$4 MM
1995	$19 MM	$3 MM

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Revenue / Student

$18,818

$13,133

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Helena / West Helena School District	Arkansas
2023	$18,167	$12,020
2022	$15,761	$11,118
2021	$15,673	$12,189
2020	$15,761	$11,118
2019	$17,472	$11,021
2018	$13,007	$11,290
2017	$15,089	$11,111
2016	$13,069	$11,378
2015	$18,514	$10,220
2014	$12,328	$10,491
2012	$13,556	$10,328
2011	$12,634	$10,347
2010	$12,307	$10,220
2009	$10,857	$9,870
2008	$10,639	$9,520
2007	$10,391	$8,637
2006	$9,976	$8,452
2005	$10,007	$8,139
2004	$7,504	$7,065
2003	$8,145	$7,145
2002	$6,831	$6,837
2001	$6,567	$6,516
2000	$6,317	$6,054
1999	$5,527	$5,561
1998	$5,237	$5,336
1997	$5,039	$4,897
1995	$4,559	$4,288
1992	$4,028	$3,675

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Spending / Student

$16,235

$13,044

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Helena / West Helena School District	Arkansas
2023	$15,674	$12,274
2022	$18,356	$11,314
2021	$13,523	$12,447
2020	$18,356	$11,314
2019	$28,398	$11,025
2018	$16,175	$11,153
2017	$16,133	$11,126
2016	$12,816	$10,954
2015	$20,341	$10,673
2014	$13,431	$9,876
2012	$12,934	$11,271
2011	$11,619	$11,007
2010	$13,522	$10,673
2009	$11,868	$10,243
2008	$10,935	$9,627
2007	$10,527	$9,013
2006	$9,131	$8,195
2005	$8,622	$8,081
2004	$8,559	$7,325
2003	$7,555	$6,978
2002	$6,650	$6,533
2001	$6,668	$6,138
2000	$5,965	$5,662
1999	$6,023	$5,312
1998	$4,804	$5,208
1997	$5,109	$4,980
1995	$4,642	$4,401
1992	$4,935	$3,747

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Best Helena / West Helena School District Public Schools (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

J.f. Wahl Elementary School

(Math: 16% | Reading: 20%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

125 Hicklory Hill
Helena, AR 72342
(870) 338-4425

Gr: PK-6 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 96%

Rank: #22.

Central High School

(Math: 4% | Reading: 14%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

103 School Rd
West Helena, AR 72390
(870) 572-6744

Gr: 7-12 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 98%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Helena / West Helena School District?

Helena / West Helena School District manages 2 public schools serving 977 students.

What is the rank of Helena / West Helena School District?

Helena / West Helena School District is ranked #244 out of 257 school districts in Arkansas (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year.

What is the racial composition of students in Helena / West Helena School District?

94% of Helena / West Helena School District students are Black, 3% of students are White, 1% of students are Asian, 1% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Two or more races.

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 $16,235 is higher than the state median of $13,044. The school district spending/student has grown by 20% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2025-26)

District size: 2 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 977 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1
Minority Enrollment: 97%
: 87% (Top 30% in AR)
: Bottom 50%
: 10% (Btm 50%)
: 17% (Btm 50%)
: 12% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AR Dept. of Education