Excellent
#270 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 7% in state
Bell Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
3730 N Oakley Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Enrollment
848
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
848
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#24 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#189 of 2,326
In district
#23 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
Academic performance
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Bell Elem School
Bell Elem School is a public elementary school in Chicago, IL, part of the Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. The school serves approximately 848 students in grades Kindergarten – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 92.9th percentile among IL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 60% proficiency in math and 56% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (7.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $101,558, where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Bell Elem School — Students at Bell Elem School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
11.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.9/10.
How Bell Elem School Compares
See how Bell Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 57% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 55% (2022).
Location
3730 N Oakley Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bell Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jahn Elem School (rated 7.9/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Waters Elem School (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, CHICAGO JEWISH DAY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST BENEDICT PREPARATORY SCHOOL Chicago | 0.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Lane Technical High School Chicago | 0.4 mi | 8.5 |
| Audubon Elem School Chicago | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Coonley Elem School Chicago | 0.4 mi | 7.2 |
| DEPAUL COLLEGE PREP Chicago | 0.6 mi | 6.5 |
| THRESHOLDS Chicago | 0.7 mi | — |
| PRAIRIE LAND MONTESSORI Chicago | 0.6 mi | — |
| CHICAGO JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.3 |
| NORTH PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| PILGRIM LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| LAKEVIEW PRESCHOOL ACADEMY Chicago | 0.7 mi | — |
| QUEEN OF ANGELS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chicago | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| RAVENSWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chicago | 1.0 mi | 8.1 |
| ST ANDREW SCHOOL Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Jahn Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Alcott College Prep Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Waters Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| GREENFIELDS ACADEMY Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| SPARK MONTESSORI Chicago | 1.0 mi | — |
| Hamilton Elem School Chicago | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60618 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,558
Median Home Value
$538,300
Median Rent
$1,534/mo
Population
91,896
College Educated
55.4%
Homeownership
48.6%
Avg Commute
34.3 min
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Median Age
35.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bell Elem School has a median household income of $101,558. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $538,300, with a median rent of $1,534/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Arlene Welch Elementary School Naperville, IL | 8.3 |
| Frank C Whiteley Elem School Hoffman Estates, IL | 8.3 |
| Munhall Elem School Saint Charles, IL | 8.3 |
| National Teachers Elem Academy Chicago, IL | 8.3 |
| Oliver Julian Kendall Elem School Naperville, IL | 8.3 |
| Isaac Fox Elementary School Lake Zurich, IL | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bell Elem School
What grades does Bell Elem School serve?
Bell Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Bell Elem School?
Bell Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 848 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bell Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Bell Elem School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bell Elem School rank in IL?
Bell Elem School is ranked #270 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Bell Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bell Elem School has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bell Elem School has 59.5% math proficiency and 55.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bell Elem School a charter school?
No, Bell Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bell Elem School a Title I school?
No, Bell Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bell Elem School?
11.8% of students at Bell Elem School 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
- Walk Score
- 78 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 66 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 82 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,030/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chicago). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 848
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 58
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 11.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 534-5150
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #23 of 621
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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