Capital High School is a four-year public high school in the western United States, located in Helena, Montana. The building was originally built in the 1960s as a Catholic high school, but closed following the graduation of the class of 1969.
Serving 1,367 students in grades 9-12, Capital High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Montana for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 36% (which is higher than the Montana state average of 35%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 43% (which is lower than the Montana state average of 46%).
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Montana state level of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Montana state average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,367 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 13%
- Graduation Rate: 88% (Top 30% in MT)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 36% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 43% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 31% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MT Dept. of Education
School Overview
Capital High School's student population of 1,367 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 85 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
1,367 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
85 teachers
Year Founded
1973
Colors
Brown, Gold
School Rankings
Capital High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 722 schools in Montana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Capital High School is 0.24, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.40. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#443 out of 722 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
35%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
46%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
31%
37%
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
12:1
American Indian
2%
10%
Asian
1%
1%
Hispanic
5%
6%
Black
1%
1%
White
87%
77%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
88%
86%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
13%
42%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MT Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Bruin
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Capital High School's ranking?
Capital High School is ranked #443 out of 722 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Montana.
What schools are Capital High School often compared to?
Capital High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Helena High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
36% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 35% MT state average), while 43% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 46% MT state average).
What is the graduation rate of Capital High School?
The graduation rate of Capital High School is 88%, which is higher than the Montana state average of 86%.
How many students attend Capital High School?
1,367 students attend Capital High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
87% of Capital High School students are White, 5% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Capital High School?
Capital High School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the Montana state average of 12:1.
What grades does Capital High School offer ?
Capital High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Capital High School part of?
Capital High School is part of Helena High School District.
School Reviews
Review Capital High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
