Based on Rayleigh-Ritz variational and configuration interaction methods as well as Hylleraas coordinates, energies for the highly excited states of helium were calculated, and accuracy of the results reaches 10－4. Specifically, when L is small, the results are close to Drake’s results, and when L becomes larger, the results are matched with the theoretical expectation. Besides, if choosing L=10 as an example, the energy converges when Hylleraas coordinates increase, therefore, the results are reliable. Finally, L=10 was chosen as an example to observe the correlation and energy contribution of partial waves. As a result, the largest contribution belongs to the (0,L)L partial wave but the contribution of other partial waves is very small. In conclusion, configuration interaction methods can be applied to calculate the highly excited states of helium.