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Excellent

#587 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 6% 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

8.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#587 of 9,539

In Grass Valley

#3 of 21

public schools

In district

#1 of 4

Grass Valley Elementary

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Bell Hill Academy

8.7/10

Elementary School in Grass Valley · grades Kindergarten – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mount St. Mary Academy

Nearby

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Silver Springs High (continuation)

6.3/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bell Hill Academy

Bell Hill Academy is a public elementary school in Grass Valley, CA, part of Grass Valley Elementary. Bell Hill Academy serves approximately 231 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-4th, and has a 21:1 student-teacher ratio. Bell Hill Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #587 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Bell Hill Academy show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2024).

How it compares2.1 pts above district
  • This school 8.7 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.6
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Bell Hill Academy runs 21:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

35% of students at Bell Hill Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change+0.61 pts/yr
Data Period2012–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.5% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+3.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.7 pts
Overall Proficiency55% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+15.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,231
Chronic Absenteeism35.1%

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 49.3% (multi-year average, 2012-2024)
School
State
40.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 50.0% (multi-year average, 2012-2024)
School
State
44.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 26 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2012
Math
54.5%
ELA
44.5%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
44.5%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
54.5%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
38.9%
ELA
49.5%
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: 9.7/10.

How Bell Hill Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
8.7/10
94th percentile in CA
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
5.8/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.1%

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 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Deer Creek Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Nevada City), a more accessible option. Additionally, Margaret G. Scotten Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 0.7 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 6.3
Grass Valley Charter Grass Valley 0.3 mi 5.3
Lyman Gilmore Middle Grass Valley 0.5 mi 5.2
John Muir Charter Grass Valley 0.5 mi 5.3
Margaret G. Scotten Elementary Grass Valley 0.7 mi 5.8
Yuba River Charter Grass Valley 1.1 mi 7.9
North Point Academy Grass Valley 1.8 mi 6.5
Nevada Union High Grass Valley 1.8 mi 5.0
William & Marian Ghidotti High Grass Valley 1.8 mi 8.8
Bitney Prep High Grass Valley 1.8 mi 7.4
Union Hill Elementary Grass Valley 1.7 mi 5.5
Union Hill Middle Grass Valley 1.7 mi 8.2
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 6.9
Nevada County Special Education Nevada City 3.3 mi 4.9
Seven Hills Intermediate Nevada City 3.3 mi 6.7
Forest Charter Nevada City 3.6 mi 6.6

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Barron Park Elementary Palo Alto, CA 8.7
Dow's Prairie Elementary Mckinleyville, CA 8.7
Mather Heights Elementary Mather, CA 8.7
Nord Country Chico, CA 8.7
Normal Heights Elementary San Diego, CA 8.7
PUC Community Charter Elementary Burbank, CA 8.7

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 ranks #587 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Bell Hill Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Bell Hill Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bell Hill Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bell Hill Academy has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2024).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.1%

District

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

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