Average
#1319 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 50% in state
Bell Fork Elementary
Elementary School · Onslow County Schools
500 Bell Fork Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28540
Enrollment
539
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
539
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Jacksonville
#15 of 26
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#984 of 1,474
In district
#22 of 39
Onslow County Schools
About Bell Fork Elementary
Bell Fork Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 539 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers. Bell Fork Elementary’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.1 out of 10, reflecting its academic score of 4.8/10 and state ranking of #1561 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina (41st percentile).
Students perform at a level where 49% are proficient or above in math and 45% are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, indicating areas for growth and development. The school is situated in a small city setting within Onslow County, offering students an environment that focuses on both academic improvement and community engagement.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Bell Fork Elementary — Students at Bell Fork Elementary score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.9%
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: 6.7/10.
How Bell Fork Elementary Compares
See how Bell Fork Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 38% (2019) to 51.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 41% (2019) to 48.5% (2025).
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. Clyde Erwin Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONTESSORI CHILDRENS SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MILESTONES ACADEMY (rated 7.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 7.8 |
| Onslow Early College Jacksonville | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology Jacksonville | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| 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 | 7.0 |
| FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville | 2.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Northside High Jacksonville | 2.6 mi | 4.1 |
| 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 | 6.8 |
| 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 | 3.5 |
| Jacksonville High Jacksonville | 2.9 mi | 6.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bell Fork Elementary has a median household income of $61,462. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $201,700, with a median rent of $1,014/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| A H Snipes Academy of Arts/Des Wilmington, NC | 6.5 |
| Black Mountain Primary Black Mountain, NC | 6.5 |
| Bonnie Cone Classical Academy Huntersville, NC | 6.5 |
| Bruce H. Tharrington Primary Mount Airy, NC | 6.5 |
| Central Elementary Elizabeth City, NC | 6.5 |
| Colfax Elementary Colfax, NC | 6.5 |
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 is ranked #1319 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Bell Fork Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bell Fork Elementary has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Fork Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bell Fork Elementary has 48.7% math proficiency and 44.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (770/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (910) 347-4459
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Onslow County Schools- District Enrollment
- 27,592
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,056
- District Rank
- #22 of 39
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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