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Excellent

#987 of 8,552 schools in TX

Top 12% in state

Bells H S

High School · BELLS ISD

1550 OLE AMBROSE RD, Bells, TX 75414

Enrollment

317

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

8.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#987 of 8,552

In Bells

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

BELLS ISD

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Bells H S

8.3/10

High School in Bells · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pritchard J H

9.3/10

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

Bells EL

7.9/10

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

About Bells H S

Bells H S is a public high school in Bells, TX, part of BELLS ISD. Bells H S serves approximately 317 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Bells H S has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #987 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Bells H S show 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.0 pts above TX schools
  • This school 8.3 · Excellent
  • TX avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Bells H S 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.49 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency76% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg+14.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+21.7 pts
Overall Proficiency67% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)60% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected+7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
AP Participation19.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,726
Chronic Absenteeism7.9%

Bells H S — Students at Bells H S score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

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 STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 75.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 77.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 28 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
82%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
84.5%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
97.5%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
95%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
84.5%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
74.5%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
95%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
54.5%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
64.5%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
58%
ELA
76%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Bells H S Compares

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

Overall Score
8.3/10
89th percentile in TX
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.4
Sports
16
8 boys' · 8 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
19.6% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics16sports offered
8 boys'·8 girls'·27 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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 H S may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SAVOY H S (rated 8.2/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Savoy), with a very similar rating. Another option is TOM BEAN H S (rated 7.7/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Tom Bean), with a comparable rating. Additionally, WHITEWRIGHT H S (rated 7.0/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Whitewright), 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 0.1 mi 9.3
BELLS EL Bells 0.3 mi 7.9
SAVOY EL Savoy 3.1 mi 8.7
SAVOY H S Savoy 3.9 mi 8.2
WHITEWRIGHT MIDDLE Whitewright 8.7 mi 8.6
WHITEWRIGHT EL Whitewright 8.7 mi 4.7
WHITEWRIGHT H S Whitewright 8.9 mi 7.0
TOM BEAN EL Tom Bean 8.9 mi 7.5
TOM BEAN MIDDLE Tom Bean 9.0 mi 5.3
TOM BEAN H S Tom Bean 9.0 mi 7.7
ECTOR H S Ector 8.7 mi 5.9
ECTOR EL Ector 8.7 mi 4.2
GRAYSON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sherman 9.2 mi 7.3
LAMAR EL Denison 10.5 mi 6.0
HENRY SCOTT MIDDLE Denison 10.7 mi 5.7
QUEST COLLEGIATE ACADEMY-WHITEWRIGHT Lewisville 12.3 mi 6.8
SHERMAN MIDDLE Sherman 10.2 mi 7.6
PATHWAYS H S Denison 11.2 mi 5.6
CRUTCHFIELD EL Sherman 10.4 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
FLATONIA SECONDARY Flatonia, TX 8.3
GRAND PRAIRIE COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE Grand Prairie, TX 8.3
OLNEY H S Olney, TX 8.3
RAYBURN H S Ivanhoe, TX 8.3
RIESEL SCHOOL Riesel, TX 8.3
TEAGUE H S Teague, TX 8.3

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 ranks #987 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Bells H S's MySchoolScout rating?

Bells H S has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 H S?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bells H S has 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.9%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

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

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