Average
#1920 of 2,648 schools in NC
L J Bell Elementary
Elementary School · Richmond County Schools
442 Hawthorne Ave, Rockingham, NC 28379
Enrollment
480
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
480
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,920 of 2,648
In Rockingham
#4 of 7
public schools
In district
#11 of 15
Richmond County Schools
School environment
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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L J Bell Elementary
Elementary School in Rockingham · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Rockingham Middle
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
West Rockingham Elementary
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About L J Bell Elementary
L J Bell Elementary is a public elementary school in Rockingham, NC, part of Richmond County Schools. L J Bell Elementary serves approximately 480 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. L J Bell Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,920 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for L J Bell Elementary show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.2 · Average
- District avg 5.7
- NC avg 6.4
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
L J Bell Elementary — Students at L J Bell Elementary score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC 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: 3.5/10.
How L J Bell Elementary Compares
See how L J Bell 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
442 Hawthorne Ave, Rockingham, NC 28379
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering L J Bell Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mineral Springs Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Ellerbe), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lilesville Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Lilesville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Monroe Avenue Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Hamlet), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rockingham, see our Rockingham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rockingham Middle Rockingham | 0.2 mi | 6.4 |
| West Rockingham Elementary Rockingham | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| TEMPLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rockingham | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Washington Street Elementary Rockingham | 1.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Richmond Senior High Rockingham | 2.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Ashley Chapel Educational Center Rockingham | 3.6 mi | 5.9 |
| East Rockingham Elementary Rockingham | 3.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Cordova Middle Cordova | 3.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Richmond Early College High Hamlet | 4.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Hamlet Middle Hamlet | 4.6 mi | 6.5 |
| OUTREACH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hamlet | 5.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Richmond 9th Grade Academy Hamlet | 4.4 mi | 2.7 |
| Fairview Heights Elementary Hamlet | 5.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Monroe Avenue Elementary Hamlet | 5.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Mineral Springs Elementary Ellerbe | 8.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Ellerbe Middle Ellerbe | 8.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Lilesville Elementary Lilesville | 12.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Wallace Elementary/Middle Wallace | 16.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Morven Elementary Morven | 14.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Laurel Hill Elementary Laurel Hill | 16.4 mi | 3.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28379 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$47,156
Median Home Value
$137,100
Median Rent
$813/mo
Population
24,068
College Educated
19.3%
Homeownership
62.4%
Avg Commute
24.1 min
Poverty Rate
27.6%
Median Age
40.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brinson Memorial Elementary New Bern, NC | 5.2 |
| Brooks Elementary Raleigh, NC | 5.2 |
| Churchland Elementary Lexington, NC | 5.2 |
| Clara J Peck Elementary Greensboro, NC | 5.2 |
| Cornatzer Elementary Mocksville, NC | 5.2 |
| Costner Elementary Dallas, NC | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about L J Bell Elementary
What grades does L J Bell Elementary serve?
L J Bell Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend L J Bell Elementary?
L J Bell Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 480 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at L J Bell Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at L J Bell Elementary is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does L J Bell Elementary rank in NC?
L J Bell Elementary ranks #1,920 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is L J Bell Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
L J Bell Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 L J Bell Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, L J Bell Elementary has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is L J Bell Elementary a charter school?
No, L J Bell Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is L J Bell Elementary a Title I school?
No, L J Bell Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for L J Bell Elementary?
99.4% of students at L J 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 480
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Richmond County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 20.0%
- Phone
- (910) 997-9834
Resources & Links
District
Richmond County Schools- District Enrollment
- 6,639
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,661
- District Rank
- #11 of 15
Other Schools in This District
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