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Below Average

#254 of 280 schools in VT

Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax)

Elementary School · Fairfax School District

75 Hunt Street, Fairfax, VT 05454

Enrollment

602

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fairfax

#2 of 2

public schools

Vermont elementary schools

#183 of 200

In district

#2 of 2

Fairfax School District

About Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax)

Bellows Free Academy Elementary in Fairfax, Vermont, is a regular public elementary school that serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 602 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.7:1, the school benefits from having 41 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse learning community. Located in a rural setting, Bellows Free Academy Elementary provides a tight-knit environment where students receive personalized attention.

Academically, the school has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks at #250 out of 280 schools in Vermont, placing it in the 11th percentile. While test scores show that only 38% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 27% are proficient or above in Math, Bellows Free Academy Elementary focuses on student development and growth beyond standardized testing metrics. Bellows Free Academy Elementary is nestled in a rural area, offering students the opportunity to experience a close-knit community setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) 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 Progress5.3Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-4.5 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency36%
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-21.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.8Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,896

Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) — Students at Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 27.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2021*
Math
29%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
36%

* 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: 5.3/10.

How Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) Compares

See how Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
10th percentile in VT
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
5.3/10
Above average
Environment
1.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

Location

75 Hunt Street, Fairfax, VT 05454

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. St. Albans City Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Saint Albans), which scores notably higher. Another option is Founders Memorial School (rated 7.3/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Essex Junction), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Milton Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Milton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fairfax, see our Fairfax schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Bellows Free Academy Middle/High School (Fairfax) Fairfax 0.0 mi 4.5
Westford Elementary School Westford 4.2 mi 5.4
THE BARN SCHOOL Westford 4.5 mi
Fletcher Elementary School Cambridge 4.4 mi 4.7
Milton Middle School Milton 5.2 mi 4.6
Milton Elementary School Milton 5.2 mi 7.1
Milton Senior High School Milton 5.7 mi 8.1
Georgia Elementary & Middle School Saint Albans 7.0 mi 4.1
DISCOVERY ROOTS ACADEMY Milton 6.4 mi
Fairfield Center School Fairfield 10.0 mi 5.9
St. Albans Town Educational Center Saint Albans 10.2 mi 6.4
Essex Elementary School Essex Junction 10.6 mi 6.7
Jericho Elementary School Jericho 11.0 mi 6.0
Browns River Middle School Jericho 10.5 mi 5.7
Bellows Free Academy (St. Albans) Saint Albans 10.6 mi 6.2
BELLCATE SCHOOL Essex Junction 11.3 mi 7.9
Founders Memorial School Essex Junction 11.5 mi 7.3
Essex Middle School Essex Junction 11.6 mi 7.5
St. Albans City Elementary School Saint Albans 11.5 mi 7.4
Mt. Mansfield Union High School Jericho 12.5 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 05454 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$118,438

Median Home Value

$361,000

Median Rent

$1,054/mo

Population

5,195

College Educated

49.3%

Homeownership

81.2%

Avg Commute

28.7 min

Poverty Rate

4.1%

Median Age

40.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) has a median household income of $118,438. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $361,000, with a median rent of $1,054/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Rutland Intermediate School Rutland, VT 4.3
Georgia Elementary & Middle School Saint Albans, VT 4.1
Porters Point School Colchester, VT 3.8
Molly Stark School Bennington, VT 5.0
Elm Hill School Springfield, VT 5.1
Lyndon Town School Lyndonville, VT 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax)

What grades does Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) serve?

Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax)?

Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) has an enrollment of approximately 602 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax)?

The student-teacher ratio at Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) rank in VT?

Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) is ranked #254 out of 280 schools in VT.

What is Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax)'s MySchoolScout rating?

Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax)?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) has 27.0% math proficiency and 38.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) a charter school?

No, Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) a Title I school?

No, Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax)?

25.4% of students at Bellows Free Academy Elementary (fairfax) 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

County Safety
Low (197/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
602
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Franklin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Fairfax School District
District Enrollment
1,012
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,595
District Rank
#2 of 2

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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