Excellent
#40 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 3% in state
Bells Mill Elementary
Elementary School · Montgomery County Public Schools
8225 Bells Mill Rd, Potomac, MD 20854
Enrollment
591
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
591
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#40 of 1,363
In Potomac
#3 of 8
public schools
In district
#11 of 206
Montgomery County Public Schools
Equity
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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Bells Mill Elementary
Elementary School in Potomac · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cabin John Middle
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
The Heights School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bells Mill Elementary
Bells Mill Elementary is a public elementary school in Potomac, MD, part of Montgomery County Public Schools. Bells Mill Elementary serves approximately 591 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Bells Mill Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 out of 10 and ranks #40 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Bells Mill Elementary show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 9.3 · Excellent
- District avg 7.5
- MD avg 6.3
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bells Mill Elementary — Students at Bells Mill Elementary score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 28 test records from MD 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: 9.7/10.
How Bells Mill Elementary Compares
See how Bells Mill Elementary 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
8225 Bells Mill Rd, Potomac, MD 20854
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bells Mill Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Seven Locks Elementary (rated 9.7/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Bethesda), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Beverly Farms Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ritchie Park Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Rockville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Potomac, see our Potomac schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin John Middle Potomac | 0.2 mi | 9.0 |
| THE HEIGHTS SCHOOL Potomac | 0.3 mi | 5.6 |
| MC LEAN SCHOOL OF MARYLAND Potomac | 0.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Winston Churchill High Potomac | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| IVYMOUNT SCHOOL Rockville | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| THE MADDUX SCHOOL Rockville | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| ST ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Potomac | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Herbert Hoover Middle Potomac | 1.0 mi | 9.1 |
| MATER DEI SCHOOL Bethesda | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Seven Locks Elementary Bethesda | 1.4 mi | 9.7 |
| Beverly Farms Elementary Potomac | 1.4 mi | 9.1 |
| GENEVA DAY SCHOOL Potomac | 1.5 mi | — |
| GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL WASHINGTON DC Potomac | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| OUR LADY OF MERCY SCHOOL Potomac | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| MUSLIM COMMUNITY SCHOOL/ALIM ACADEMY Potomac | 1.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Farmland Elementary Rockville | 1.6 mi | 8.4 |
| NO CHANGE! Potomac | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| ST RAPHAEL SCHOOL Rockville | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Ritchie Park Elementary Rockville | 2.1 mi | 9.1 |
| NORWOOD SCHOOL Bethesda | 2.1 mi | 8.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20854 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$250,001
Median Home Value
$1,105,300
Median Rent
$3,180/mo
Population
49,694
College Educated
85.7%
Homeownership
89.9%
Avg Commute
30.9 min
Poverty Rate
2.5%
Median Age
47.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Centennial Lane Elementary Ellicott City, MD | 9.3 |
| Deer Crossing Elementary New Market, MD | 9.3 |
| Frederick Classical Charter Frederick, MD | 9.3 |
| Ilchester Elementary Ellicott City, MD | 9.3 |
| Lakewood Elementary Rockville, MD | 9.3 |
| Manor Woods Elementary Ellicott City, MD | 9.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bells Mill Elementary
What grades does Bells Mill Elementary serve?
Bells Mill Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Bells Mill Elementary?
Bells Mill Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 591 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bells Mill Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bells Mill Elementary is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bells Mill Elementary rank in MD?
Bells Mill Elementary ranks #40 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Bells Mill Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bells Mill Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 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 Bells Mill Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bells Mill Elementary has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Bells Mill Elementary a charter school?
No, Bells Mill Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bells Mill Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bells Mill Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bells Mill Elementary?
17.4% of students at Bells Mill Elementary 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 591
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 17.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Montgomery County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 10.5%
- Phone
- (240) 740-0480
Resources & Links
District
Montgomery County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 160,223
- Schools in District
- 211
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,456
- District Rank
- #11 of 206
Other Schools in This District
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