Excellent
#468 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 6% in state
Bells EL
Elementary School · BELLS ISD
1550 OLE AMBROSE RD, Bells, TX 75414
Enrollment
451
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
451
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bells
#2 of 3
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#265 of 4,678
In district
#2 of 3
BELLS ISD
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Bells EL
Bells EL is a public elementary school in Bells, TX, part of the BELLS ISD. The school serves approximately 451 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 94.5th percentile among TX schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 59% proficiency in math and 47% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $84,685, where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Bells EL 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
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Bells EL — Students at Bells EL score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.9%
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
→ 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: 8.9/10.
How Bells EL Compares
See how Bells EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 57% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 46% (2019) to 47% (2021).
Location
1550 OLE AMBROSE RD, Bells, TX 75414
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bells EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SAVOY EL (rated 9.3/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Savoy), which scores slightly higher. Another option is TERRELL EL (rated 8.8/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Denison), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, TOM BEAN EL (rated 8.5/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Tom Bean), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bells, see our Bells schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PRITCHARD J H Bells | 0.3 mi | 8.9 |
| BELLS H S Bells | 0.3 mi | 7.3 |
| SAVOY EL Savoy | 3.1 mi | 9.3 |
| SAVOY H S Savoy | 3.9 mi | 6.9 |
| WHITEWRIGHT EL Whitewright | 8.9 mi | 8.2 |
| WHITEWRIGHT MIDDLE Whitewright | 8.9 mi | 9.2 |
| WHITEWRIGHT H S Whitewright | 9.1 mi | 7.1 |
| TOM BEAN EL Tom Bean | 9.3 mi | 8.5 |
| ECTOR H S Ector | 8.5 mi | 7.1 |
| ECTOR EL Ector | 8.5 mi | 5.6 |
| TOM BEAN MIDDLE Tom Bean | 9.3 mi | 8.2 |
| TOM BEAN H S Tom Bean | 9.4 mi | 6.5 |
| GRAYSON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sherman | 9.4 mi | 7.3 |
| LAMAR EL Denison | 10.5 mi | 7.0 |
| HENRY SCOTT MIDDLE Denison | 10.8 mi | 7.3 |
| PATHWAYS H S Denison | 11.2 mi | 5.5 |
| QUEST COLLEGIATE ACADEMY-WHITEWRIGHT Lewisville | 12.5 mi | 5.0 |
| SHERMAN MIDDLE Sherman | 10.5 mi | 7.7 |
| CRUTCHFIELD EL Sherman | 10.7 mi | 6.9 |
| TERRELL EL Denison | 11.8 mi | 8.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 75414 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,685
Median Home Value
$223,100
Median Rent
$883/mo
Population
3,417
College Educated
27.4%
Homeownership
80.3%
Avg Commute
31.5 min
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Median Age
38.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bells EL has a median household income of $84,685. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,100, with a median rent of $883/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| BARTON CREEK EL Austin, TX | 8.5 |
| BAYLES EL Dallas, TX | 8.5 |
| BLOSSOM EL Blossom, TX | 8.5 |
| BRAMLETTE STEAM ACADEMY Longview, TX | 8.5 |
| CANYON CREEK EL Richardson, TX | 8.5 |
| COOKE EL Cleburne, TX | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bells EL
What grades does Bells EL serve?
Bells EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Bells EL?
Bells EL has an enrollment of approximately 451 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bells EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Bells EL is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bells EL rank in TX?
Bells EL is ranked #468 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Bells EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Bells EL has a composite rating of 8.5 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 EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bells EL has 58.5% math proficiency and 46.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bells EL a charter school?
No, Bells EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bells EL a Title I school?
No, Bells EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bells EL?
45.9% of students at Bells 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 451
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Grayson County
- Phone
- (903) 965-3601
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BELLS ISD- District Enrollment
- 986
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,726
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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