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Excellent

#1195 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 13% in state

Bell Hill Academy

Elementary School · Grass Valley Elementary

342 South School St., Grass Valley, CA 95945

Enrollment

231

Student-Teacher

21:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grass Valley

#3 of 21

public schools

California elementary schools

#858 of 5,817

In district

#1 of 4

Grass Valley Elementary

Equity

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Bell Hill Academy

Bell Hill Academy serves 231 kindergarten through fourth-grade students in Grass Valley, California, earning recognition as a strong elementary school in Nevada County. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking in the 84th percentile statewide, the school demonstrates solid academic performance that places it among California's top-performing elementary schools. The school's 11 full-time equivalent teachers maintain a student-teacher ratio of 21:1, providing instruction across the early elementary years.

Academically, Bell Hill Academy shows particular strength in English Language Arts, with 61% of students performing at proficient or above levels, while mathematics achievement stands at 49% proficient or above. These results reflect the school's commitment to building strong foundational skills during these crucial early learning years. Located on South School Street in the heart of Grass Valley, Bell Hill Academy serves a diverse community where the median household income is $59,943 and 32% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The school draws families from a neighborhood with a 12.5% poverty rate and median home values of $474,100. Bell Hill Academy provides elementary education in the welcoming town setting of Grass Valley, where families value educational opportunity and community connection.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Bell Hill Academy is 21:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.5%
Math vs. State Avg+3.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.7 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+15.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,332

Bell Hill Academy — Students at Bell Hill Academy score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 51.6%
School
State
40.9%
ELA Proficiency 56.2%
School
State
44.6%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
48.8%
ELA
60.7%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Bell Hill Academy Compares

See how Bell Hill Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
88th percentile in CA
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

342 South School St., Grass Valley, CA 95945

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bell Hill Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Yuba River Charter (rated 7.5/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Grass Valley Charter (rated 6.7/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Union Hill Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Grass Valley, see our Grass Valley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Mount St. Mary Academy Grass Valley 0.1 mi
Silver Springs High (Continuation) Grass Valley 0.4 mi 6.7
Grass Valley Charter Grass Valley 0.3 mi 6.7
Lyman Gilmore Middle Grass Valley 0.5 mi 6.3
John Muir Charter Grass Valley 0.5 mi 6.4
Margaret G. Scotten Elementary Grass Valley 0.7 mi 4.5
Yuba River Charter Grass Valley 1.1 mi 7.5
North Point Academy Grass Valley 1.8 mi 4.2
Nevada Union High Grass Valley 1.8 mi 4.9
William & Marian Ghidotti High Grass Valley 1.8 mi 7.6
Bitney Prep High Grass Valley 1.8 mi 8.3
Union Hill Elementary Grass Valley 1.7 mi 6.7
Union Hill Middle Grass Valley 1.7 mi 7.5
ECHO RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Nevada City 2.2 mi 5.5
Echo Ridge Christian School Nevada City 2.2 mi
Earle Jamieson Educational Options Nevada City 3.0 mi
Deer Creek Elementary Nevada City 3.2 mi 5.3
Nevada County Special Education Nevada City 3.3 mi 6.0
Seven Hills Intermediate Nevada City 3.3 mi 5.9
Forest Charter Nevada City 3.6 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95945 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,068

Median Home Value

$496,600

Median Rent

$1,420/mo

Population

27,675

College Educated

32.4%

Homeownership

56.4%

Avg Commute

20.1 min

Poverty Rate

14.1%

Median Age

49.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bell Hill Academy has a median household income of $61,068. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $496,600, with a median rent of $1,420/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Aloha Elementary Lakewood, CA 8.1
Ballington Acad for the Arts and Scis - San Bernardino San Diego, CA 8.1
Carl B. Munck Elementary Oakland, CA 8.1
Douglas City Elementary Douglas City, CA 8.1
Grant Elementary San Lorenzo, CA 8.1
John W. Mack Elementary Los Angeles, CA 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bell Hill Academy

What grades does Bell Hill Academy serve?

Bell Hill Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Bell Hill Academy?

Bell Hill Academy has an enrollment of approximately 231 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bell Hill Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Bell Hill Academy is 21:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bell Hill Academy rank in CA?

Bell Hill Academy is ranked #1195 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Bell Hill Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Bell Hill Academy has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Bell Hill Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bell Hill Academy has 51.6% math proficiency and 56.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bell Hill Academy a charter school?

No, Bell Hill Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bell Hill Academy a Title I school?

No, Bell Hill Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bell Hill Academy?

63.2% of students at Bell Hill Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
84 Very Walkable
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,743/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grass Valley). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
231
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
63.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Nevada County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Grass Valley Elementary
District Enrollment
1,551
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,231
District Rank
#1 of 4

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 methodology

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