Very Good
#300 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 22% 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
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
591
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Potomac
#2 of 8
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#292 of 882
In district
#45 of 206
Montgomery County Public Schools
Equity
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Bells Mill Elementary
Bells Mill Elementary serves 591 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Potomac, Maryland's affluent 20854 zip code. This high-performing public school ranks #99 out of 1,364 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 93rd percentile with an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10. With 35 full-time equivalent teachers, Bells Mill maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1, allowing for meaningful classroom interactions.
The school's academic excellence shines through its test performance, with 83% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 72% reach proficiency in mathematics. These strong results reflect both dedicated instruction and the supportive educational environment fostered by the school community. The school draws families from one of Montgomery County's most educated neighborhoods, where 86% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $241,697.
The area's low 2.7% poverty rate and median home values exceeding $1 million demonstrate the community's commitment to educational investment. Located at 8225 Bells Mill Road, the school sits in the heart of Potomac's large suburban setting, serving a community of nearly 49,320 residents who prioritize academic achievement and student success.
Score Breakdown
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Bells Mill Elementary — Students at Bells Mill Elementary score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
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 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.2/10.
How Bells Mill Elementary Compares
See how Bells Mill Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 71% (2019) to 75.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 76% (2019) to 84.5% (2025).
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. NORWOOD SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Bethesda), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ritchie Park Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Rockville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Seven Locks Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Bethesda), 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 | 6.1 |
| 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 | 5.6 |
| 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 | 6.3 |
| MATER DEI SCHOOL Bethesda | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Seven Locks Elementary Bethesda | 1.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Beverly Farms Elementary Potomac | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| 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 | 6.4 |
| NO CHANGE! Potomac | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| ST RAPHAEL SCHOOL Rockville | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Ritchie Park Elementary Rockville | 2.1 mi | 8.4 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bells Mill Elementary has a median household income of $250,001. It is a well-educated community where 86% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,105,300, with a median rent of $3,180/month. The local poverty rate of 2.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School Waldorf, MD | 7.8 |
| Featherbed Lane Elementary Baltimore, MD | 7.8 |
| Forest Lakes Elementary Forest Hill, MD | 7.8 |
| Fort Washington Forest Elem Fort Washington, MD | 7.8 |
| Glen Avenue School Salisbury, MD | 7.8 |
| Hickory Elementary Bel Air, MD | 7.8 |
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 is ranked #300 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Bells Mill Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bells Mill Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Bells Mill Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bells Mill Elementary has 68.8% math proficiency and 74.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
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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
- Phone
- (240) 740-0480
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Montgomery County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 160,223
- Schools in District
- 211
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,456
- District Rank
- #45 of 206
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.
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