Mildred Helms Elementary School

Q: Is Mildred Helms Elementary School a good school?

Mildred Helms Elementary School ranks 698 th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Mildred Helms Elementary School is a public school in Largo, Florida, serving 514 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Pinellas District, which is ranked 23 out of 68 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Mildred Helms has a relatively diverse student population, with 47.86% White, 16.73% African American, and 23.93% Hispanic students. This diversity is higher compared to nearby schools like Anona Elementary (66.81% White) and Southern Oak Elementary (56.47% White). However, the school has experienced higher chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 22.9% to 31.8%, which is significantly higher than the state and district averages. Academically, Mildred Helms generally performs better than the state average on standardized tests, but lags behind the Pinellas district average in many subjects and grade levels.

Mildred Helms has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 59.72% to 64.98% in recent years, which is higher than the state average. This suggests that socioeconomic factors may play a role in the school's academic performance. The school has also seen an increase in per-student spending, from $10,524 in 2019-2020 to $13,426 in 2022-2023, which is higher than the state average. While Mildred Helms performs better than some nearby schools, such as Belleair Elementary and Ponce De Leon Elementary, it lags behind higher-performing schools like Anona Elementary and Southern Oak Elementary.

Detail:

Public, Magnet PK, KG-5

561 Clearwater Largo Rd S
Largo, FL 33770

(727) 588-3569

District: Pinellas

SchoolDigger Rank:
698^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $13,426

Students who attend Mildred Helms Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Largo Middle School
High:	Largo High School

Student/teacher ratio: 12.5

Number of students: 514

Racial breakdown:

White:

47.9%

Hispanic:

23.9%

African American:

16.7%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 65%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Mildred Helms Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Mildred Helms Elementary School ranks better than 69.1% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 39^th among 90 ranked elementary schools in the Pinellas School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 67.12. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Mildred Helms Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (47.9%), Hispanic (23.9%), African American (16.7%). (See more...)

Compare Details 65% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Mildred Helms Elementary School is 12.5, which is the 16^th best among 90 elementary schools in the Pinellas School District. (See more...)

Compare Mildred Helms Elementary School employs 41 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Mildred Helms Elementary School is $13,426, which is the 41^st highest among 90 elementary schools in the Pinellas School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Mildred Helms Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Pinellas:

SchoolDigger ranks Pinellas 23^rd of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Mildred Helms Elementary School.

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Rank History for Mildred Helms Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	60.19	685^th	1688	59.4%
2007	52.39	907^th	1786	49.2%
2008	56.59	818^th	1789	54.3%
2009	52.18	941^st	1847	49.1%
2010	43.70	1169^th	1919	39.1%
2011	24.69	1590^th	1985	19.9%
2012	32.40	1379^th	1984	30.5%
2013	19.21	1744^th	2029	14.0%
2014	20.18	1747^th	2064	15.4%
2016	20.88	1714^th	2087	17.9%
2017	29.55	1514^th	2112	28.3%
2018	37.36	1363^rd	2118	35.6%
2019	33.06	1507^th	2182	30.9%
2021	49.72	1084^th	2247	51.8%
2022	50.35	1063^rd	2219	52.1%
2023	51.54	1061^st	2240	52.6%
2024	67.12	698^th	2256	69.1%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2.3)

33%

67%

Reviews:

by a parent
Wednesday, August 9, 2017

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by a parent
Saturday, April 20, 2013

Zero stars would be more accurate. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Mildred Helms Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	540	72	5	4	1	n/a	n/a	0	622
1989	587	57	5	4	2	n/a	n/a	0	655
1990	630	49	5	7	4	n/a	n/a	0	695
1991	602	60	4	5	1	n/a	n/a	0	672
1992	640	56	4	4	1	n/a	n/a	0	705
1993	590	60	4	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	658
1994	539	69	8	6	0	n/a	n/a	0	622
1995	550	72	4	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	637
1996	550	72	4	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	637
1997	551	64	4	13	1	n/a	n/a	0	633
1998	533	62	2	29	2	n/a	n/a	0	628
1999	526	69	5	23	3	n/a	n/a	0	626
2000	504	39	5	17	4	n/a	n/a	0	569
2001	532	44	8	20	5	n/a	n/a	0	609
2002	554	48	4	30	3	n/a	n/a	0	639
2003	554	48	4	30	3	n/a	n/a	0	639
2004	525	41	9	29	4	n/a	n/a	0	608
2005	523	52	12	32	6	n/a	n/a	0	625
2006	564	68	12	43	4	n/a	n/a	0	691
2007	489	65	12	41	5	n/a	n/a	53	665
2008	469	71	12	37	3	n/a	n/a	51	643
2009	484	80	21	38	5	n/a	n/a	41	669
2010	506	105	20	81	4	n/a	n/a	42	758
2011	437	103	11	122	5	4	36	0	718
2012	369	86	8	135	4	9	25	0	636
2013	355	93	5	137	2	13	22	0	627
2014	340	80	6	143	5	14	25	0	613
2015	315	83	6	126	7	17	29	0	583
2016	304	78	5	127	4	7	32	0	557
2017	321	99	11	131	4	7	32	0	605
2018	299	100	11	137	2	5	35	0	589
2019	312	103	7	125	3	6	37	0	593
2020	280	104	12	123	2	7	52	0	580
2021	265	110	8	123	1	7	52	0	566
2022	255	102	4	132	0	7	48	0	548
2023	246	86	6	123	0	6	47	0	514

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Mildred Helms Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	622	31.0	20.0	27.8
1989	655	31.0	21.1	32.2
1990	695	33.0	21.0	24
1991	672	31.0	21.6	28.7
1992	705	35.0	20.1	26
1993	658	31.0	21.2	25.7
1994	622	32.0	19.4	31
1995	637	32.0	19.9	32.2
1996	637	32.0	19.9	32.2
1997	633	36.0	17.6	35.1
1998	628	36.0	17.4	33.1
1999	626	36.0	17.4	44.7
2000	569	37.0	15.4	38.8
2001	609	33.0	18.5	36.5
2002	639	37.0	17.3	44.4
2003	639	37.0	17.3	44.4
2004	608	37.0	16.4	48.8
2005	625	36.0	17.4	50.9
2006	691	38.0	18.2	47
2007	665	41.0	16.2	55.1
2008	643	41.0	15.7	60.5
2009	669	53.4	14.2	62.3
2010	758	51.0	14.8	74.9
2011	718	47.0	15.2	74.4
2012	636	46.0	13.8	79.4
2013	627	45.0	13.9	82.1
2014	613	47.0	13.0	51.7
2015	583	45.0	12.9	54
2016	557	45.0	12.3	65.7
2017	605	46.0	13.1	61.8
2018	589	52.0	11.3	70.3
2019	593	43.0	13.7	59.5
2020	580	45.0	12.8	57.4
2021	566	46.0	12.3	59.7
2022	548	43.0	12.7	63.5
2023	514	41.0	12.5	65

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Mildred Helms Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	622	31.0	20.0	27.8
1989	655	31.0	21.1	32.2
1990	695	33.0	21.0	24
1991	672	31.0	21.6	28.7
1992	705	35.0	20.1	26
1993	658	31.0	21.2	25.7
1994	622	32.0	19.4	31
1995	637	32.0	19.9	32.2
1996	637	32.0	19.9	32.2
1997	633	36.0	17.6	35.1
1998	628	36.0	17.4	33.1
1999	626	36.0	17.4	44.7
2000	569	37.0	15.4	38.8
2001	609	33.0	18.5	36.5
2002	639	37.0	17.3	44.4
2003	639	37.0	17.3	44.4
2004	608	37.0	16.4	48.8
2005	625	36.0	17.4	50.9
2006	691	38.0	18.2	47
2007	665	41.0	16.2	55.1
2008	643	41.0	15.7	60.5
2009	669	53.4	14.2	62.3
2010	758	51.0	14.8	74.9
2011	718	47.0	15.2	74.4
2012	636	46.0	13.8	79.4
2013	627	45.0	13.9	82.1
2014	613	47.0	13.0	51.7
2015	583	45.0	12.9	54
2016	557	45.0	12.3	65.7
2017	605	46.0	13.1	61.8
2018	589	52.0	11.3	70.3
2019	593	43.0	13.7	59.5
2020	580	45.0	12.8	57.4
2021	566	46.0	12.3	59.7
2022	548	43.0	12.7	63.5
2023	514	41.0	12.5	65

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Mildred Helms Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,217 (11.2%)	$9,630 (88.8%)	$10,847
2019	$1,265 (11.1%)	$10,086 (88.8%)	$11,352
2020	$674 (6.4%)	$9,849 (93.6%)	$10,524
2021	$1,353 (11.9%)	$10,061 (88.2%)	$11,413
2022	$1,444 (12.1%)	$10,451 (87.9%)	$11,894
2023	$1,804 (13.4%)	$11,622 (86.6%)	$13,426

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Mildred Helms Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 1507^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1061^st of 2240 Elementary schools	21.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Mildred Helms Elementary School)	54	42	12%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	56	52	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Mildred Helms Elementary School)	69	54	15%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	62	60	2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Mildred Helms Elementary School)	39	55	16%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	56	57	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Mildred Helms Elementary School)	44	74	30%
4th Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	64	65	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Mildred Helms Elementary School)	39	49	10%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	54	58	4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Mildred Helms Elementary School)	44	49	5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	60	58	2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Mildred Helms Elementary School)	44	55	11%
5th Grade Science (Pinellas)	54	60	6%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	593	514	13.3%
African American	103	86	16.5%
American Indian	3	0	100%
Asian	7	6	14.3%
Hispanic	125	123	1.6%
Pacific Islander	6	6
White	312	246	21.2%
Two or More Races	37	47	27%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	59.5%	65%	5.5%

Schools Near Mildred Helms Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)						FAST Math (2024)						Statewide Science Science (2024)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Mildred Helms Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	561 Clearwater Largo Rd S	Largo	33770	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	Yes	No	No	(727) 588-3569	514	41	12.5	65.0%	246 (47.9%)	86 (16.7%)	123 (23.9%)	6 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.2%)	47 (9.1%)	67.1	698^th of 2256 public elementary schools	69.1%		51.5	1061^st of 2240 public elementary schools	52.6%	363	70.0	58.0	51.0				66.0	64.0	64.0				63.0					$13,426	$1,804	$11,622
Ridgecrest Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1901 119th St	Largo	33778	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	Yes	No	No	(727) 588-3580	574	34	16.8	59.1%	231 (40.2%)	179 (31.2%)	70 (12.2%)	34 (5.9%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.5%)	56 (9.8%)	62.4	813^th of 2256 public elementary schools	64.0%		73.8	533^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	76.2%	280	57.0	60.0	63.0				58.0	58.0	60.0				58.0					$11,480	$1,064	$10,416
Ponce De Leon Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1301 Ponce De Leon Blvd	Clearwater	33756	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 588-3573	568	47	12.0	79.2%	138 (24.3%)	176 (31.0%)	202 (35.6%)	13 (2.3%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	37 (6.5%)	63.3	789^th of 2256 public elementary schools	65.0%		25.8	1728^th of 2240 public elementary schools	22.9%	939	57.0	66.0	43.0				59.0	70.0	63.0				67.0					$14,687	$2,354	$12,333
Fuguitt Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	13010 101st St	Largo	33773	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 588-3576	479	37	12.9	68.1%	235 (49.1%)	94 (19.6%)	95 (19.8%)	15 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.3%)	34 (7.1%)	52.7	1026^th of 2256 public elementary schools	54.5%		63.9	755^th of 2240 public elementary schools	66.3%	271	53.0	38.0	63.0				58.0	54.0	63.0				61.0					$16,202	$3,083	$13,118
Plato Seminole	Public, Charter	K-8	10888 126th Ave N	Largo	33778	Pinellas County	Pinellas	Yes	No	No	No	(727) 228-9950	366	28	13.0	40.4%	260 (71.0%)	23 (6.3%)	50 (13.7%)	15 (4.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (4.9%)	57.5	909^th of 2256 public elementary schools	59.7%		58.2	882^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	60.6%	27	56.0	67.0	65.0	45.0	55.0	51.0	58.0	26.0	76.0	37.0	14.0	39.0	65.0	39.0	60.0		70.0	$8,947	$900	$8,046
Pinellas Academy Of Math And Science	Public, Charter	K-8	1775 S Highland Ave	Largo	33756	Pinellas County	Pinellas	Yes	No	No	No	(727) 330-9449	879	55	15.9	3.1%	514 (58.5%)	83 (9.4%)	215 (24.5%)	13 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.3%)	51 (5.8%)	48.3	1128^th of 2256 public elementary schools	50.0%		54.1	991^st of 2240 public elementary schools	55.8%	137	64.0	48.0	54.0	54.0	40.0	53.0	63.0	55.0	54.0	40.0	54.0	53.0	42.0	47.0	71.0	76.0	66.0	$7,791	$371	$7,420
Belleair Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1156 Lakeview Rd	Clearwater	33756	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 469-5983	472	41	11.5	81.4%	99 (21.0%)	117 (24.8%)	232 (49.2%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (4.4%)	34.8	1494^th of 2256 public elementary schools	33.8%		41.5	1293^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	42.3%	201	52.0	33.0	38.0				46.0	47.0	57.0				54.0					$15,471	$2,477	$12,994
Anona Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	12301 Indian Rocks Rd	Largo	33774	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 588-4730	473	34	13.9	45.2%	316 (66.8%)	27 (5.7%)	77 (16.3%)	8 (1.7%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (8.9%)	81.5	366^th of 2256 public elementary schools	83.8%		82.7	348^th of 2240 public elementary schools	84.5%	18	66.0	54.0	64.0				79.0	85.0	78.0				78.0					$13,760	$1,959	$11,801
Southern Oak Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	9101 Walsingham Rd	Largo	33773	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 588-4654	556	34	16.3	60.8%	314 (56.5%)	68 (12.2%)	116 (20.9%)	15 (2.7%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	41 (7.4%)	73.9	550^th of 2256 public elementary schools	75.6%		64.9	744^th of 2240 public elementary schools	66.8%	194	73.0	60.0	61.0				67.0	79.0	53.0				74.0					$12,270	$1,847	$10,423
Walsingham Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	9099 Walsingham Rd	Largo	33773	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 588-3519	392	28	14.0	67.1%	184 (46.9%)	58 (14.8%)	100 (25.5%)	16 (4.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (8.7%)	74.4	537^th of 2256 public elementary schools	76.2%		57.4	906^th of 2240 public elementary schools	59.6%	369	76.0	41.0	77.0				78.0	62.0	75.0				63.0					$14,652	$2,114	$12,538

Frequently Asked Questions about Mildred Helms Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Mildred Helms Elementary School?

Students at Mildred Helms Elementary School are 48% White, 24% Hispanic, 17% African American, 9% Two or more races, 1% Asian, 1% Pacific Islander.

What district is Mildred Helms Elementary School in?

Pinellas

What schools do graduates of Mildred Helms Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Mildred Helms Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Largo Middle School
High : Largo High School

Is Mildred Helms Elementary School a good school?

Mildred Helms Elementary School ranks 698^th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Mildred Helms Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 514 students attended Mildred Helms Elementary School.

Rate Mildred Helms Elementary School!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.