Needs Improvement
#1111 of 1,176 schools in SC
Bells Elementary
Elementary School · Colleton 01
12088 Bells Highway, Ruffin, SC 29475
Enrollment
278
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
278
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#1,111 of 1,176
In district
#3 of 8
Colleton 01
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Bells Elementary
Elementary School in Ruffin · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Community Christian Academy
3.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Forest Hills Elementary
11.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bells Elementary
Bells Elementary is a public elementary school in Ruffin, SC, part of Colleton 01. Bells Elementary serves approximately 278 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Bells Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,111 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Bells Elementary show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.4
- SC avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
Bells Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
35% of students at Bells 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bells Elementary — Students at Bells Elementary score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 test records from SC 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: 2.6/10.
How Bells Elementary Compares
See how Bells 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
12088 Bells Highway, Ruffin, SC 29475
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bells Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Varnville Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Varnville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lockett Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Branchville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ben Hazel Primary (rated 8.3/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby Hampton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ruffin, see our Ruffin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lodge | 3.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Forest Hills Elementary Walterboro | 11.0 mi | 3.0 |
| COLLETON PREPARATORY ACADEMY Walterboro | 11.4 mi | 4.9 |
| NORTH WALTERBORO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Walterboro | 11.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Colleton County High Walterboro | 11.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Colleton County Middle Walterboro | 12.6 mi | 3.0 |
| Black Street Early Childhood Center Walterboro | 13.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Hendersonville Elementary Walterboro | 14.6 mi | 2.3 |
| Northside Elementary Walterboro | 13.8 mi | 2.5 |
| North District Middle Varnville | 15.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Varnville Elementary Varnville | 15.7 mi | 9.0 |
| ANDREW JACKSON ACADEMY Elshardt | 17.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Hampton County High Varnville | 16.2 mi | — |
| Branchville High Branchville | 18.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Lockett Elementary Branchville | 18.7 mi | 8.9 |
| Fennell Elementary Yemassee | 19.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Ben Hazel Primary Hampton | 17.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Hampton Elementary Hampton | 17.3 mi | 7.1 |
| William Memorial Elementary St. George | 20.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Brunson Elementary Brunson | 20.0 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29475 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,357
Median Home Value
$79,500
Median Rent
$927/mo
Population
2,676
College Educated
14.8%
Homeownership
83.8%
Poverty Rate
16.5%
Median Age
39.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia, SC | 3.4 |
| Arden Elementary Columbia, SC | 3.4 |
| E.B. Ellington Elementary Ravenel, SC | 3.4 |
| Waterloo Elementary Waterloo, SC | 3.4 |
| Cross Elementary Cross, SC | 3.3 |
| Edward E. Taylor Elementary Columbia, SC | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bells Elementary
What grades does Bells Elementary serve?
Bells Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Bells Elementary?
Bells Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 278 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bells Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bells Elementary is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bells Elementary rank in SC?
Bells Elementary ranks #1,111 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Bells Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bells Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 Bells Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bells Elementary has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Bells Elementary a charter school?
No, Bells Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bells Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bells Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bells Elementary?
100.0% of students at Bells 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 278
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Colleton County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.9%
- Phone
- (843) 782-0012
Resources & Links
District
Colleton 01- District Enrollment
- 4,777
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,940
- District Rank
- #3 of 8
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