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Very Good

#1613 of 8,552 schools in TX

Top 19% in state

Bells EL

Elementary School · BELLS ISD

1550 OLE AMBROSE RD, Bells, TX 75414

Enrollment

451

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#1,613 of 8,552

In Bells

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

BELLS ISD

School environment

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Bells EL

7.9/10

Elementary School in Bells · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pritchard J H

9.3/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Bells H S

8.3/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bells EL

Bells EL is a public elementary school in Bells, TX, part of BELLS ISD. Bells EL serves approximately 451 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Bells EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,613 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Bells EL show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.7 pts above TX schools
  • This school 7.9 · Very Good
  • TX avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Bells EL sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.08 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency53% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg+15.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.3 pts
Overall Proficiency56% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)54% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected+1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,726
Chronic Absenteeism5.3%

Bells EL — Students at Bells EL score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

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 STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 73.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 71.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
85%
ELA
85%
2016
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
60%
ELA
46%
2019
Math
60%
ELA
46%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
58.9%
ELA
64.7%
2024
Math
59%
ELA
53%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Bells EL Compares

See how Bells EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
81th percentile in TX
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
7.7/10
Very Good
Environment
8.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
5.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.7/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Savoy), which scores slightly higher. Another option is TOM BEAN EL (rated 7.5/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Tom Bean), with a comparable rating. Additionally, QUEST COLLEGIATE ACADEMY-WHITEWRIGHT (rated 6.8/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Lewisville), a more accessible option. 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 9.3
BELLS H S Bells 0.3 mi 8.3
SAVOY EL Savoy 3.1 mi 8.7
SAVOY H S Savoy 3.9 mi 8.2
WHITEWRIGHT EL Whitewright 8.9 mi 4.7
WHITEWRIGHT MIDDLE Whitewright 8.9 mi 8.6
WHITEWRIGHT H S Whitewright 9.1 mi 7.0
TOM BEAN EL Tom Bean 9.3 mi 7.5
ECTOR H S Ector 8.5 mi 5.9
ECTOR EL Ector 8.5 mi 4.2
TOM BEAN MIDDLE Tom Bean 9.3 mi 5.3
TOM BEAN H S Tom Bean 9.4 mi 7.7
GRAYSON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sherman 9.4 mi 7.3
LAMAR EL Denison 10.5 mi 6.0
HENRY SCOTT MIDDLE Denison 10.8 mi 5.7
PATHWAYS H S Denison 11.2 mi 5.6
QUEST COLLEGIATE ACADEMY-WHITEWRIGHT Lewisville 12.5 mi 6.8
SHERMAN MIDDLE Sherman 10.5 mi 7.6
CRUTCHFIELD EL Sherman 10.7 mi 4.7
TERRELL EL Denison 11.8 mi 5.8

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
A B DUNCAN COLLEGIATE EL Floydada, TX 7.9
BAYLESS EL Lubbock, TX 7.9
BENIGNUS EL Klein, TX 7.9
BERTA S PALACIOS EL Pharr, TX 7.9
BONNER EL Tyler, TX 7.9
BRUNI EL Laredo, TX 7.9

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 ranks #1,613 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Bells EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Bells EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bells EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bells EL has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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
19 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
5.3%

District

BELLS ISD
District Enrollment
986
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,726
District Rank
#3 of 3

Other Schools in This District

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