Average
#610 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
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
278
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina elementary schools
#346 of 680
In district
#3 of 8
Colleton 01
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Bells Elementary
Bells Elementary, nestled in the rural setting of Ruffin, South Carolina, is a regular public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 278 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, Bells Elementary offers personalized attention to help each child thrive. The school has 19 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the educational journey of its young learners.
Academically, Bells Elementary is working on enhancing its performance. According to MySchoolScout's rating system, the school ranks at the 26th percentile among South Carolina schools, with a state ranking of #877 out of 1192. In terms of proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, 22% of students meet or exceed standards, while 17% do so in Math.
While these numbers indicate room for academic growth, the school community is committed to fostering student development. Bells Elementary’s setting offers a close-knit rural environment where families are actively involved in their children's education and the broader school community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Bells Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Bells Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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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 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How Bells Elementary Compares
See how Bells Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 27% (2022).
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 8.8/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Varnville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lockett Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 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 | 6.3 |
| 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 | 4.4 |
| Black Street Early Childhood Center Walterboro | 13.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Hendersonville Elementary Walterboro | 14.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Northside Elementary Walterboro | 13.8 mi | 3.6 |
| North District Middle Varnville | 15.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Varnville Elementary Varnville | 15.7 mi | 8.8 |
| ANDREW JACKSON ACADEMY Elshardt | 17.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Hampton County High Varnville | 16.2 mi | — |
| Branchville High Branchville | 18.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Lockett Elementary Branchville | 18.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Fennell Elementary Yemassee | 19.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Ben Hazel Primary Hampton | 17.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Hampton Elementary Hampton | 17.3 mi | 7.2 |
| William Memorial Elementary St. George | 20.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Brunson Elementary Brunson | 20.0 mi | 7.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bells Elementary has a median household income of $42,357. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $79,500, with a median rent of $927/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.5%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Carolina Elementary Hartsville, SC | 6.2 |
| Geiger Elementary Ridgeway, SC | 6.2 |
| MASON PREPARATORY SCHOOL Charleston, SC | 6.2 |
| Westwood Elementary Abbeville, SC | 6.2 |
| Blacksburg Elementary Blacksburg, SC | 6.3 |
| Cross Elementary Cross, SC | 6.3 |
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 is ranked #610 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Bells Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bells 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 Bells Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bells Elementary has 17.2% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- High (1,585/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (843) 782-0012
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Colleton 01- District Enrollment
- 4,777
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,940
- District Rank
- #3 of 8
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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