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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+5.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,708

Bells EL — Students at Bells EL score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 58.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 46.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
60%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
47%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.5/10
95th percentile in TX
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (263/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bells). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

Related reading

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