Needs Improvement
#8008 of 8,547 schools in TX
Bell EL
Elementary School · HOUSTON ISD
12323 SHAFTSBURY DR, Houston, TX 77031
Enrollment
564
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
564
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Houston
#665 of 723
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#4,220 of 4,678
In district
#249 of 272
HOUSTON ISD
About Bell EL
Bell Elementary, a regular public school in Houston, Texas, serves students from pre-K through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 564 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1, Bell Elementary provides personalized attention to each child's learning needs. The school has 35 full-time equivalent teachers committed to fostering a nurturing environment for young learners.
Bell Elementary’s MySchoolScout Rating is 2.7 out of 10, and it ranks at the 7th percentile among Texas schools, indicating there is room for academic growth. Students perform with 26% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 30% proficiency in Math across all grade levels. Bell Elementary is situated in a bustling urban setting within Houston, offering students access to city resources while providing them with the foundational education they need to succeed.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Bell EL — Students at Bell EL score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TX 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: 3.3/10.
How Bell EL Compares
See how Bell EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 13% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 22% (2021).
Location
12323 SHAFTSBURY DR, Houston, TX 77031
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bell EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GROSS EL (rated 7.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SMITH EL (rated 7.8/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VALLEY WEST EL (rated 6.9/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Houston, see our Houston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| YES PREP - BRAYS OAKS Houston | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| GROSS EL Houston | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| WELCH MIDDLE Houston | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| TEXANS CAN ACADEMY - HOUSTON SOUTHWEST Houston | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| STEP CHARTER EL Houston | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| BEST EL Houston | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| MISSOURI CITY MIDDLE Missouri City | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| VALLEY WEST EL Houston | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| E A JONES EL Missouri City | 2.1 mi | 4.8 |
| KIPP ACADEMY MIDDLE Houston | 2.1 mi | 4.9 |
| KIPP SHINE PREP Houston | 2.1 mi | 3.7 |
| KIPP HOUSTON H S Houston | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
| ARROW ACADEMY - LIBERATION ACADEMY Meadows Place | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| PHOENIX SCHOOL AT SOUTHWEST SCHOOLS Houston | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| KLENTZMAN INT Houston | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| MARIAN HIGH SCHOOL (NTI CAREER INSTITUTE) Houston | 2.4 mi | — |
| SMITH EL Houston | 2.2 mi | 7.8 |
| BAKERS PREP SCHOOL Stafford | 2.4 mi | 3.5 |
| HORN EL Houston | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| MILNE EL Houston | 2.4 mi | 4.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 77031 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$46,892
Median Home Value
$227,100
Median Rent
$1,083/mo
Population
15,740
College Educated
22.8%
Homeownership
44.4%
Avg Commute
28.3 min
Poverty Rate
23.6%
Median Age
38.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bell EL has a median household income of $46,892. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $227,100, with a median rent of $1,083/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| ALFRED SORENSEN EL San Juan, TX | 3.8 |
| ANGELA GERUSA LEAL EL San Benito, TX | 3.8 |
| AUDRE AND BERNARD RAPOPORT ACADEMY Waco, TX | 3.8 |
| BARBARA FASKEN EL Laredo, TX | 3.8 |
| BASSWOOD EL Fort Worth, TX | 3.8 |
| BEBENSEE EL Arlington, TX | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bell EL
What grades does Bell EL serve?
Bell EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Bell EL?
Bell EL has an enrollment of approximately 564 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bell EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Bell EL is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bell EL rank in TX?
Bell EL is ranked #8008 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Bell EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Bell EL has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Bell EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bell EL has 29.5% math proficiency and 25.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bell EL a charter school?
No, Bell EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bell EL a Title I school?
No, Bell EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bell EL?
93.3% of students at Bell EL qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (5,451/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Houston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 564
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Harris County
- Phone
- (281) 983-2800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HOUSTON ISD- District Enrollment
- 184,109
- Schools in District
- 274
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,072
- District Rank
- #249 of 272
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
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Schools in Houston, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Moving for Schools: How to Find the Best Schools Before You Relocateguides
- Understanding School Ratings: A Parent's Guide to Using Data for School Choice Decisionsguides
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
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