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Below Average

#2240 of 2,648 schools in NC

Bell Fork Elementary

Elementary School · Onslow County Schools

500 Bell Fork Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28540

Enrollment

539

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

4.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,240 of 2,648

In Jacksonville

#23 of 26

public schools

In district

#36 of 39

Onslow County Schools

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Bell Fork Elementary

4.4/10

Elementary School in Jacksonville · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Shiloh Institute of Learning

Nearby

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Village Academy

Nearby

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bell Fork Elementary

Bell Fork Elementary is a public elementary school in Jacksonville, NC, part of Onslow County Schools. Bell Fork Elementary serves approximately 539 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Bell Fork Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,240 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Bell Fork Elementary show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.0 pts below district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

30% of students at Bell Fork Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.41 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.9% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.5% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-11.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.9 pts
Overall Proficiency50% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)55% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-4.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment6.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,056
Chronic Absenteeism30.2%

Bell Fork Elementary — Students at Bell Fork Elementary score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 54.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 49.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
85%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
89%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
49%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
48%
ELA
45%
2014
Math
49%
ELA
45%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
45%
2017
Math
54%
ELA
43%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
41%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
45.3%
ELA
38.7%
2025
Math
51.7%
ELA
47.8%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Bell Fork Elementary Compares

See how Bell Fork Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
15th percentile in NC
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

500 Bell Fork Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28540

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bell Fork Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MONTESSORI CHILDRENS SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MILESTONES ACADEMY (rated 7.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Northwoods Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Jacksonville, see our Jacksonville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
SHILOH INSTITUTE OF LEARNING Jacksonville 1.1 mi
VILLAGE ACADEMY Jacksonville 1.1 mi
Clyde Erwin Elementary Jacksonville 1.1 mi 6.3
Onslow Early College Jacksonville 1.4 mi 6.0
Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology Jacksonville 1.2 mi 6.6
MONTESSORI CHILDRENS SCHOOL Jacksonville 1.6 mi 7.8
FACT DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM Jacksonville 1.6 mi
JACKSONVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville 1.8 mi 5.9
MILESTONES ACADEMY Jacksonville 1.8 mi 7.3
New Bridge Middle Jacksonville 1.9 mi 7.2
FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville 2.0 mi 6.7
Northside High Jacksonville 2.6 mi 5.9
Jacksonville Commons Middle Jacksonville 2.7 mi 4.7
Northwoods Elementary Jacksonville 2.4 mi 7.1
ST ANNE'S PARISH DAY SCHOOL Jacksonville 2.5 mi 5.2
Jacksonville Commons Elem Jacksonville 2.9 mi 5.0
GRACE CLASSICAL SCHOOL Jacksonville 2.6 mi 8.7
GRACE CLASSICAL SCHOOL Jacksonville 2.6 mi 6.6
White Oak High Jacksonville 2.7 mi 5.0
Jacksonville High Jacksonville 2.9 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28540 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,462

Median Home Value

$201,700

Median Rent

$1,014/mo

Population

50,808

College Educated

23%

Homeownership

59.1%

Avg Commute

23.2 min

Poverty Rate

15.2%

Median Age

29

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Creekside Elementary Durham, NC 4.4
Englewood Elementary Rocky Mount, NC 4.4
Forest Park Elementary Kannapolis, NC 4.4
Fred L Wilson Elementary Kannapolis, NC 4.4
King Elementary School King, NC 4.4
Nations Ford Elementary Charlotte, NC 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bell Fork Elementary

What grades does Bell Fork Elementary serve?

Bell Fork Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Bell Fork Elementary?

Bell Fork Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 539 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bell Fork Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Bell Fork Elementary is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bell Fork Elementary rank in NC?

Bell Fork Elementary ranks #2,240 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Bell Fork Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Bell Fork Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Bell Fork Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bell Fork Elementary has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Bell Fork Elementary a charter school?

No, Bell Fork Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bell Fork Elementary a Title I school?

No, Bell Fork Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bell Fork Elementary?

72.9% of students at Bell Fork 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
539
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Onslow County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.2%

District

Onslow County Schools
District Enrollment
27,592
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,056
District Rank
#36 of 39

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