Average
#1516 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
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
480
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rockingham
#2 of 7
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,077 of 1,474
In district
#6 of 15
Richmond County Schools
Equity
7.0 / 10
Strong
About L J Bell Elementary
L J Bell Elementary is a public elementary school located in Rockingham, North Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 480 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 15:1 with 32 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s setting is within a small town environment, providing a close-knit community for learning.
According to MySchoolScout ratings, L J Bell Elementary scores a 4.8 out of 10 overall and ranks at the 36th percentile among North Carolina schools, placing it at number 1704 out of 2661 schools in the state. Academically, students score an average of 42% proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 47% proficient or above in Math. While there is room for academic growth, L J Bell Elementary focuses on student development to help each child reach their full potential.
L J Bell Elementary is situated in a town setting that offers a supportive community for its students and families.
Score Breakdown
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L J Bell Elementary — Students at L J Bell Elementary score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 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: 6.0/10.
How L J Bell Elementary Compares
See how L J Bell Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 43% (2019) to 52% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 38% (2019) to 43% (2025).
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. Lilesville Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Lilesville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wallace Elementary/Middle (rated 7.2/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Wallace), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Laurel Hill Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Laurel Hill), which scores slightly 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 | 6.8 |
| West Rockingham Elementary Rockingham | 1.3 mi | 3.5 |
| TEMPLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rockingham | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Washington Street Elementary Rockingham | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Richmond Senior High Rockingham | 2.8 mi | 3.0 |
| Ashley Chapel Educational Center Rockingham | 3.6 mi | 5.0 |
| East Rockingham Elementary Rockingham | 3.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Cordova Middle Cordova | 3.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Richmond Early College High Hamlet | 4.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Hamlet Middle Hamlet | 4.6 mi | 6.8 |
| OUTREACH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hamlet | 5.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Richmond 9th Grade Academy Hamlet | 4.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Fairview Heights Elementary Hamlet | 5.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Monroe Avenue Elementary Hamlet | 5.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Mineral Springs Elementary Ellerbe | 8.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Ellerbe Middle Ellerbe | 8.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Lilesville Elementary Lilesville | 12.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Wallace Elementary/Middle Wallace | 16.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Morven Elementary Morven | 14.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Laurel Hill Elementary Laurel Hill | 16.4 mi | 7.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding L J Bell Elementary has a median household income of $47,156. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $137,100, with a median rent of $813/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Alexander Wilson Elementary Graham, NC | 6.2 |
| Blue Ridge Elementary Warrensville, NC | 6.2 |
| Bostian Elementary China Grove, NC | 6.2 |
| Brooks Global Elementary Greensboro, NC | 6.2 |
| Butler Avenue Elementary Clinton, NC | 6.2 |
| Chapel Grove Elementary Gastonia, NC | 6.2 |
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 is ranked #1516 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is L J Bell Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
L J Bell Elementary has a composite rating of 6.2 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 L J Bell Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, L J Bell Elementary has 46.9% math proficiency and 41.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (4,450/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rockingham). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (910) 997-9834
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richmond County Schools- District Enrollment
- 6,639
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,661
- District Rank
- #6 of 15
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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