Excellent
#277 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 20% in state
Bear Exploration Center
Elementary School · Montgomery County
2525 Churchill Dr, Montgomery, AL 36111
Enrollment
503
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
503
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Montgomery
#5 of 52
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#246 of 696
In district
#5 of 51
Montgomery County
School environment
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Bear Exploration Center
Bear Exploration Center serves 503 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Montgomery, Alabama, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranking #109 out of 1,360 Alabama schools, the school places in the 92nd percentile statewide. The school demonstrates particularly strong performance in reading and language arts, with 79% of students achieving proficiency or above across all grade levels.
Mathematics shows room for continued growth, with 52% of students meeting proficiency standards. With 29 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, Bear Exploration Center maintains a manageable student-teacher ratio of 17.3 to 1, allowing for more individualized attention. Students come from a diverse economic background in the 36111 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $57,958 and about 36% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The community shows a range of economic circumstances, with nearly a quarter of residents experiencing poverty, while median home values average $145,300. Bear Exploration Center operates as a regular public school in Montgomery's mid-size city environment, serving families throughout this established Montgomery County neighborhood along Churchill Drive.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Bear Exploration Center — Students at Bear Exploration Center score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
Based on 30 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.0/10.
How Bear Exploration Center Compares
See how Bear Exploration Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 99.5% (2009) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 99.5% (2009) to 79% (2022).
Location
2525 Churchill Dr, Montgomery, AL 36111
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bear Exploration Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Forest Avenue Elementary School (rated 9.5/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONTGOMERY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Johnson Elementary School (rated 5.5/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Montgomery, see our Montgomery schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 36111 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,613
Median Home Value
$152,000
Median Rent
$1,052/mo
Population
12,196
College Educated
37.9%
Homeownership
59.3%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
22.4%
Median Age
38
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bear Exploration Center has a median household income of $54,613. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $152,000, with a median rent of $1,052/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central School Huntsville, AL | 8.2 |
| East Elementary School Cullman, AL | 8.2 |
| GW Long Elementary School Skipperville, AL | 8.2 |
| Highlands Elementary School Dothan, AL | 8.2 |
| Huguley Elementary School Lanett, AL | 8.2 |
| Indian Valley Elementary School Sylacauga, AL | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bear Exploration Center
What grades does Bear Exploration Center serve?
Bear Exploration Center serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Bear Exploration Center?
Bear Exploration Center has an enrollment of approximately 503 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bear Exploration Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Bear Exploration Center is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bear Exploration Center rank in AL?
Bear Exploration Center is ranked #277 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Bear Exploration Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Bear Exploration Center has a composite rating of 8.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bear Exploration Center?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bear Exploration Center has 70.1% math proficiency and 81.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bear Exploration Center a charter school?
No, Bear Exploration Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bear Exploration Center a Title I school?
No, Bear Exploration Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bear Exploration Center?
17.5% of students at Bear Exploration Center qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 503
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 17.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Montgomery County
- Chronic Absenteeism
- 7.0%
- Phone
- (334) 284-8014
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Montgomery County- District Enrollment
- 26,435
- Schools in District
- 52
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,977
- District Rank
- #5 of 51
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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