Average
#6116 of 9,539 schools in CA
Bell Middle
Middle School · San Diego Unified
620 Briarwood Rd., San Diego, CA 92139
Enrollment
713
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
713
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#6,116 of 9,539
In San Diego
#200 of 288
public schools
In district
#129 of 174
San Diego Unified
School environment
7.6 / 10
Very Good
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Bell Middle
Middle School in San Diego · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Boone Elementary
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Zamorano Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bell Middle
Bell Middle is a public middle school in San Diego, CA, part of San Diego Unified. Bell Middle serves approximately 713 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Bell Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #6,116 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Bell Middle show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.7 · Average
- District avg 7.2
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Bell Middle runs 20.4:1 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.
37% of students at Bell Middle 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bell Middle — Students at Bell Middle score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.8/10.
How Bell Middle Compares
See how Bell Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
620 Briarwood Rd., San Diego, CA 92139
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bell Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Nye Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Keiller Leadership Academy (rated 8.4/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bethune K-8 (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Boone Elementary San Diego | 0.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Zamorano Elementary San Diego | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Bethune K-8 San Diego | 0.7 mi | 8.0 |
| San Diego SCPA San Diego | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Fulton K-8 San Diego | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Morse High San Diego | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Penn Elementary San Diego | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Freese Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| True Faith Academy San Diego | 1.3 mi | — |
| Perry Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Audubon K-8 San Diego | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Keiller Leadership Academy San Diego | 1.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Pacific View Leadership Elementary San Diego | 1.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Rancho Elementary La Mesa | 1.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Sunnyside Elementary Bonita | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Valley Vista Elementary Bonita | 2.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Paradise Hills Elementary San Diego | 1.8 mi | 3.0 |
| Ingenuity Charter San Diego | 1.9 mi | 4.7 |
| The O'Farrell Charter San Diego | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Nye Elementary San Diego | 1.9 mi | 9.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92139 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$92,381
Median Home Value
$598,500
Median Rent
$2,107/mo
Population
34,780
College Educated
25.1%
Homeownership
60.2%
Avg Commute
28.1 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Median Age
36.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alice C. Stelle Middle Calabasas, CA | 5.7 |
| Calle Mayor Middle Torrance, CA | 5.7 |
| Daniel Lewis Middle Paso Robles, CA | 5.7 |
| Enrique Camarena Jr. High Calexico, CA | 5.7 |
| Fillmore Middle Fillmore, CA | 5.7 |
| Frank Augustus Miller Middle Riverside, CA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bell Middle
What grades does Bell Middle serve?
Bell Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Bell Middle?
Bell Middle has an enrollment of approximately 713 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bell Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Bell Middle is 20.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bell Middle rank in CA?
Bell Middle ranks #6,116 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Bell Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Bell Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bell Middle has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Bell Middle a charter school?
No, Bell Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bell Middle a Title I school?
No, Bell Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bell Middle?
79.2% of students at Bell Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 713
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 79.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- San Diego County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.3%
- Phone
- (619) 430-1000
Resources & Links
District
San Diego Unified- District Enrollment
- 95,492
- Schools in District
- 175
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,828
- District Rank
- #129 of 174
Other Schools in This District
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