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Very Good

#2202 of 8,547 schools in TX

Top 26% in state

Bells H S

High School · BELLS ISD

1550 OLE AMBROSE RD, Bells, TX 75414

Enrollment

317

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

7.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bells

#3 of 3

public schools

Texas high schools

#491 of 1,699

In district

#3 of 3

BELLS ISD

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Bells H S

Bells High School serves 317 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Bells, Texas. This public high school maintains an excellent 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio with 30 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned strong recognition statewide, ranking #202 out of 8,598 Texas schools and placing in the 98th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10.

This impressive ranking reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence within the rural education landscape. Bells High School draws students from a stable community where the median household income reaches $78,776 and the median home value is $212,800. The surrounding area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 12.1%, with 25% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, indicating a community that values education.

Located on Ole Ambrose Road, the school serves as an educational cornerstone for this close-knit rural community of approximately 3,300 residents in ZIP code 75414. The rural setting provides students with a more intimate educational environment while still delivering the academic quality that has earned the school its high statewide ranking. Bells High School represents the strength of small-town Texas education, where personalized attention and community support combine to foster student success.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Bells H S 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College Readiness4.7Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation19.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,708

Bells H S — Students at Bells H S score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 60.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 64.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
62%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Bells H S Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
74th percentile in TX
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

1550 OLE AMBROSE RD, Bells, TX 75414

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bells H S may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WHITEWRIGHT H S (rated 7.1/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Whitewright), with a very similar rating. Another option is ECTOR H S (rated 7.1/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Ector), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SAVOY H S (rated 6.9/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Savoy), with a comparable 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 0.1 mi 8.9
BELLS EL Bells 0.3 mi 8.5
SAVOY EL Savoy 3.1 mi 9.3
SAVOY H S Savoy 3.9 mi 6.9
WHITEWRIGHT MIDDLE Whitewright 8.7 mi 9.2
WHITEWRIGHT EL Whitewright 8.7 mi 8.2
WHITEWRIGHT H S Whitewright 8.9 mi 7.1
TOM BEAN EL Tom Bean 8.9 mi 8.5
TOM BEAN MIDDLE Tom Bean 9.0 mi 8.2
TOM BEAN H S Tom Bean 9.0 mi 6.5
ECTOR H S Ector 8.7 mi 7.1
ECTOR EL Ector 8.7 mi 5.6
GRAYSON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sherman 9.2 mi 7.3
LAMAR EL Denison 10.5 mi 7.0
HENRY SCOTT MIDDLE Denison 10.7 mi 7.3
QUEST COLLEGIATE ACADEMY-WHITEWRIGHT Lewisville 12.3 mi 5.0
SHERMAN MIDDLE Sherman 10.2 mi 7.7
PATHWAYS H S Denison 11.2 mi 5.5
CRUTCHFIELD EL Sherman 10.4 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 H S 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
ALBA-GOLDEN H S Alba, TX 7.3
CHAPEL HILL H S Mount Pleasant, TX 7.3
CITYLAB H S Dallas, TX 7.3
CRISTO REY FORT WORTH COLLEGE PREP Fort Worth, TX 7.3
ELYSIAN FIELDS H S Elysian Fields, TX 7.3
FRANKLIN H S Franklin, TX 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bells H S

What grades does Bells H S serve?

Bells H S serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Bells H S?

Bells H S has an enrollment of approximately 317 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bells H S?

The student-teacher ratio at Bells H S is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bells H S rank in TX?

Bells H S is ranked #2202 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Bells H S's MySchoolScout rating?

Bells H S has a composite rating of 7.3 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 H S?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bells H S has 60.8% math proficiency and 64.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bells H S a charter school?

No, Bells H S is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bells H S a Title I school?

No, Bells H S is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bells H S?

32.5% of students at Bells H S 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
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
317
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.5%
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
#3 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

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