Best Schools in Bell Gardens, California
9 schools · 5 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Bell Gardens?
Use this page to compare every school in Bell Gardens by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Garfield Elementary
Elementary · Montebello Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Bell Gardens Intermediate
Middle · Montebello Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Bell Gardens High
High · Montebello Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Bell Gardens for 2026 are Garfield Elementary (7.4/10), Bell Gardens Intermediate (7.2/10), and Bell Gardens High (6.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
9
7 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$542,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
9
7 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$542,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +10.6 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Bell Gardens schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Bell Gardens
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 rated schools; 9 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garfield Elementary | 7.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Bell Gardens Intermediate | 7.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Bell Gardens High | 6.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Cesar E. Chavez Elementary | 6.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Suva Elementary | 6.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Suva Intermediate | 6.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Bell Gardens Elementary | 6.0 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $56,824
- Median home value
- $542,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 7%
- Avg commute
- 30 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 21%
22% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Bell Gardens compares
California rank
#334 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.0
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$57k
57% of California median
Schools in this city
9
Montebello Unified runs Bell Gardens's public schools
7 public schools. Montebello Unified is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Bell Gardens is a Montebello Unified school (7 of 7).
Among 7 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 6.0 to 7.4 — the spread is inside Bell Gardens, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Bell Gardens, California
Bell Gardens, California is home to 9 schools, including 7 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.3 out of 10, schools in Bell Gardens show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Bell Gardens is Garfield Elementary with a composite score of 7.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Bell Gardens is served by 1 school district: Montebello Unified. These districts collectively serve 19,967 students.
Bell Gardens's community shows 7% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $56,824. The poverty rate in the area is 23.6%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 499 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.4 | ||
| 2 | 747 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.7 | ||
| 3 | 595 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.5 | ||
| 4 | 659 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Gertrude SchoolPrivate 270 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 822 students · 6th–8th | 7.2 |
| 2 | 705 students · 6th–8th | 6.4 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,139 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 33 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Bell Gardens
Bell Gardens, California · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$56,824
Median Home Value
$542,800
Median Rent
$1,623/mo
Population
93,783
College Educated
7%
Homeownership
21%
Avg Commute
30 min
Poverty Rate
23.6%
Community Profile
Bell Gardens has a median household income of $56,824. It is a community where 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $542,800, with a median rent of $1,623/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Bell Gardens, California
How many schools are in Bell Gardens, California?
Bell Gardens has 9 schools, including 7 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Bell Gardens, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Bell Gardens is 6.3 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Bell Gardens, California?
The top-ranked school in Bell Gardens on MySchoolScout is Garfield Elementary with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Bell Gardens, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Bell Gardens on MySchoolScout is Garfield Elementary with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Bell Gardens, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Bell Gardens on MySchoolScout is Bell Gardens Intermediate with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best high school in Bell Gardens, California?
The top-ranked high school in Bell Gardens on MySchoolScout is Bell Gardens High with a composite score of 6.7/10.
How many school districts serve Bell Gardens, California?
Bell Gardens is served by 1 school district: Montebello Unified.
What is the education level in Bell Gardens, California?
According to Census data, 7% of adults in Bell Gardens have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Bell Gardens, California?
The median household income in Bell Gardens is approximately $56,824 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Bell Gardens, California?
Yes, Bell Gardens has 2 private schools alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Heritage Christian School - Bell Gardens with a score of 5.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Bell Gardens, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Bell Gardens is 18.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Bell Gardens, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
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- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.