Average
#6299 of 9,533 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
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Diego
#202 of 288
public schools
California middle schools
#927 of 1,349
In district
#130 of 174
San Diego Unified
School environment
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Bell Middle
Bell Middle is a regular public school in San Diego, California, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 713 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 20.4:1, the school provides a solid educational foundation for its diverse community. The campus is located in a large city setting, making it accessible to many families in the area.
Bell Middle has 35 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting students' academic and personal growth. While the MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and state ranking at #7038 (26th percentile) indicate there is room for improvement, the school focuses on developing well-rounded individuals. In terms of standardized test performance, 30% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 17% meet proficiency standards in Math.
Bell Middle is situated in a vibrant urban environment where students can engage with the city’s resources and cultural offerings while receiving quality education tailored to their needs.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Bell Middle is 20.4:1, 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 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 10 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: 5.4/10.
How Bell Middle Compares
See how Bell Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 24% (2019) to 15.16% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 29.4% (2024).
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 8.2/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Penn Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Freese Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 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 | 4.6 |
| Zamorano Elementary San Diego | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Bethune K-8 San Diego | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| San Diego SCPA San Diego | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Fulton K-8 San Diego | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Morse High San Diego | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Penn Elementary San Diego | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Freese Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| True Faith Academy San Diego | 1.3 mi | — |
| Perry Elementary San Diego | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Audubon K-8 San Diego | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Keiller Leadership Academy San Diego | 1.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Pacific View Leadership Elementary San Diego | 1.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Rancho Elementary La Mesa | 1.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Sunnyside Elementary Bonita | 1.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Valley Vista Elementary Bonita | 2.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Paradise Hills Elementary San Diego | 1.8 mi | 3.3 |
| Ingenuity Charter San Diego | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| The O'Farrell Charter San Diego | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Nye Elementary San Diego | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bell Middle has a median household income of $92,381. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $598,500, with a median rent of $2,107/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Alvarado Intermediate Rowland Heights, CA | 5.7 |
| Cajon Valley Middle El Cajon, CA | 5.7 |
| Chaparral Middle Moorpark, CA | 5.7 |
| Charlotte Wood Middle Danville, CA | 5.7 |
| Cucamonga Middle Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 5.7 |
| De Anza Academy of Technology and the Arts Ventura, 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 is ranked #6299 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Bell Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Bell Middle has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bell Middle has 16.8% math proficiency and 30.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,092/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Diego). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (619) 430-1000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Diego Unified- District Enrollment
- 95,492
- Schools in District
- 175
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,828
- District Rank
- #130 of 174
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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