title: Helena High School
text: Helena High School is a public high school for grades 9 through 12 located in Helena, Montana, United States. It is part of the Helena Public School District. Founded in September 1876, it is the oldest high school in the state of Montana. A new building was completed in August 1935 and it was almost destroyed a few months later in the 1935 Helena earthquake. In 1955, the building became Helena Junior High School (now Helena Middle School) and Helena High School moved into its present location at 1300 Billings Avenue, just off Montana Avenue.
  
  Curriculum
  Four foreign languages are taught at Helena High: French, German, Latin, and Spanish. The English Department, with 22 faculty, offers instruction in English literature and composition, as well as elective studies. Students are encouraged to take honors and Advanced Placement (AP) in English, math, science, and history. There are also many elective options.
  
  Extracurricular activities
  There are many extra-curricular clubs and activities for students to get involved at Helena High School. School teams and clubs include:
  
   Basketball – Boys and Girls
   Cross Country – Boys and Girls
   Fast Pitch Softball
   Football
   Soccer – – Boys and Girls
   Swimming
   Tennis – Boys and Girls
   Track and Field – Boys and Girls
   Volleyball
   Wrestling
   Speech and Debate
   Mock Trial
  
  Notable alumni
  Max Baucus, former United States Senator and United States Ambassador to China (graduated in 1959)
  Steve Bullock, former governor of Montana
  Dan Carpenter, NFL placekicker for the Buffalo Bills
  Gary Cooper, Academy Award winning actor (dropped out in his sophomore year)
  Chuck Darling, member of 1956 Summer Olympics basketball gold medalists, First team All-American at University of Iowa
  Pat Donovan, NFL tackle for the Dallas Cowboys
  David Fuller, politician. Montana state senator
  L. Ron Hubbard, author and the founder of Scientology; enrolled at Helena High during his junior year
  Carol Judge (1958), First Lady of Montana (1973–1980); healthcare activist and registered nurse
  Ian MacDonald (born Ulva Pippy), actor on film and television
  Colin Meloy, lead singer and songwriter for the Portland, Oregon, folk-rock band The Decemberists
  Maile Meloy, author
  Jacob Hahn, Cybersecurity expert and speaker
  Kimberly Reed, director and producer of Prodigal Sons
  William Roth, former member of the United States Senate from Delaware
  Danny Sprinkle, head basketball coach of Utah State University
  A. L. Strand, president of Montana State College (1937–1942) and Oregon State University (1942–1961)
  Joseph P. Mazurek, former Montana Attorney General and member of the Montana Senate
  
  Footnotes
  
  Bibliography 
   Superintendent of Public Instruction. Biennial Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Vol. II. Montana Department of Public Instruction. Helena, Mont.: Independent Publishing Co., 1903.
  
  External links 
   Official Helena High School Web site
  
  Public high schools in Montana
  Buildings and structures in Helena, Montana
  Schools in Lewis and Clark County, Montana
  1876 establishments in Montana Territory