High school (grades 9-12) · La Mesa, CA
Helix High
Federal NCES profile for Helix High, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 46/100.
The verdict
Helix High earns 46/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 78% of California schools. It is also one of the largest schools in California.
- #1 of 17
- public schools in La Mesa · Resource Index
- 46
- Resource Index · Typical
- 24.8:1
- large classes for California
- 33.7%
- free-lunch eligible
Helix High has class sizes larger than 78% of California schools. Computed live against every California school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Helix High ranks #1 of 17 public schools in La Mesa, CA.
School address
NCES ID 060221102023 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+42 students YoY
Helix High held near 2,544 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+42 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 103.9 → 105.6 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+42 students YoY 060221102023 · La Mesa, CA High · LARGE · CHARTER
2,554 enr · 24.8:1 · 33.7% lunch · RII 46
Nearest enrollment peer: Lennard High School (2,553 students)
Helix High held near 2,544 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+42 headcount). Teacher FTE added 103.9 → 105.6 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · California schools → · Find another →
How Helix High compares
Helix High held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs California and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs California | California avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 24.8:1 | ▲ 15% | 21.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 33.7% | ▼ 39% | 55.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 2,554 | top 1% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
Equity indicators methodology
Student demographics
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 47.1% of enrollment.
Simpson diversity index - at 69.2, Helix High is more mixed than the California school average of 46.0.
Programs
District finance for Helix High District reports $14,194 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
Similar high schools in La Mesa
1 comparable high schools (grades 9-12) serving the same city.
Nationwide high schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~2,554 students)
Similar student-teacher ratio (~24.8:1)
Frequently asked questions about Helix High
How many students attend Helix High?
Helix High has 2,554 students enrolled. It is a high school in La Mesa, CA. CCD year-over-year: 2,502 (2022-23) → 2,544 (2023-24), nearly flat (+42).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Helix High?
The student-teacher ratio at Helix High is 24.8:1, which is 15% higher than the California average of 21.5:1 and 58% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Helix High?
33.7% of students at Helix High are eligible for free lunch, compared to the California average of 55.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Helix High?
The largest demographic group at Helix High is Hispanic or Latino at 47.1% of enrollment, in La Mesa, CA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 69.2/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Helix High?
Helix High has a Resource Investment Index of 46/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Helix High rank among public schools in La Mesa?
By Resource Investment Index, Helix High ranks #1 of 17 public schools in La Mesa, CA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all public schools in La Mesa on the city page.
What other schools are in Helix High District?
None; Helix High District is a single-school charter district, and Helix High is its only campus.