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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.7Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-11.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.2Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,393

Bells Elementary — Students at Bells Elementary score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 17.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
27%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.2/10
48th percentile in SC
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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