Excellent
#62 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 2% in state
Bell Elementary
Elementary School · Buncombe County Schools
90 Maple Springs Road, Asheville, NC 28805
Enrollment
204
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
204
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Asheville
#1 of 34
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#56 of 1,474
In district
#3 of 45
Buncombe County Schools
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Bell Elementary
Bell Elementary is a public elementary school serving 204 students in grades PK through 5. With a composite score of 9.0/10 and a rating of Exceptional, it ranks first among all 34 public schools in Asheville and sits in the top 2% of North Carolina's 2,648 public schools statewide. Academic performance drives much of that standing.
The school earns an 8.6 out of 10 for academics and a 9.0 for growth — meaning students here don't just achieve at high levels, they advance at a faster pace than peers across the state. A student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1 reflects a learning environment where individual attention is built into the structure rather than squeezed in. Bell is a regular public school, open to all students within its attendance zone.
At 204 students total, it operates small by design, and that scale shows up in every metric. Parents comparing elementary options in Asheville will find it difficult to top: Bell places 56th among 1,474 elementary schools across North Carolina, a result that holds up against schools with far larger budgets and resources. --- *Word count: 179*
Score Breakdown
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Bell Elementary — Students at Bell Elementary score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC 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: 9.0/10.
How Bell Elementary Compares
See how Bell Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 63.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 61.8% (2025).
Location
90 Maple Springs Road, Asheville, NC 28805
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bell Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Haw Creek Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Claxton Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 3.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ASHEVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 4.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Asheville, see our Asheville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Buncombe County Schools Virtual Academy Asheville | 0.7 mi | 2.5 |
| Haw Creek Elementary Asheville | 0.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Evergreen Community Charter Asheville | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Oakley Elementary Asheville | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Reynolds Middle Asheville | 2.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Reynolds High Asheville | 3.1 mi | 5.2 |
| JULIA STREET MONTESSORI SCHOOL Asheville | 3.5 mi | — |
| School of Inquiry and Life Sciences Asheville | 3.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Asheville High Asheville | 3.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Claxton Elementary Asheville | 3.6 mi | 8.0 |
| ArtSpace Charter School Swannanoa | 3.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Early College Asheville | 3.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Middle College Asheville | 3.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Asheville Middle Asheville | 3.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Montford North Star Academy Asheville | 3.9 mi | 4.5 |
| HANGER HALL SCHOOL Asheville | 4.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Ira B Jones Elementary Asheville | 4.3 mi | 5.1 |
| ASHEVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Asheville | 4.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Isaac Dickson Elementary Asheville | 4.1 mi | 6.8 |
| CAROLINA DAY SCHOOL Asheville | 5.0 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28805 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,104
Median Home Value
$360,600
Median Rent
$1,198/mo
Population
20,246
College Educated
48.9%
Homeownership
63.1%
Avg Commute
18.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Median Age
45
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bell Elementary has a median household income of $67,104. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $360,600, with a median rent of $1,198/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Union Grove Elementary Union Grove, NC | 9.0 |
| W T Griggs Elementary Poplar Branch, NC | 9.0 |
| Weeksville Elementary Elizabeth City, NC | 9.0 |
| Eastfield Global Magnet School Marion, NC | 9.1 |
| Fred A Anderson Elementary Bayboro, NC | 9.1 |
| Gouge Elementary Bakersville, NC | 8.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bell Elementary
What grades does Bell Elementary serve?
Bell Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Bell Elementary?
Bell Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 204 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bell Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bell Elementary is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bell Elementary rank in NC?
Bell Elementary is ranked #62 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Bell Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bell Elementary has a composite rating of 9.0 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bell Elementary has 56.3% math proficiency and 56.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bell Elementary a charter school?
No, Bell Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bell Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bell Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bell Elementary?
98.5% of students at Bell 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 57 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 35 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 23 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,723/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Asheville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 204
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Buncombe County
- Phone
- (828) 298-3789
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Buncombe County Schools- District Enrollment
- 22,172
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,585
- District Rank
- #3 of 45
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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