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
Enrollment
231
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Bell Hill Academy — Students at Bell Hill Academy score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA 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: 8.3/10.
How Bell Hill Academy Compares
See how Bell Hill Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 48.84% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 60.47% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (530) 273-2281
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Grass Valley Elementary- District Enrollment
- 1,551
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,231
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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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