Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Bell Hill Academy

Q: Is Bell Hill Academy a good school?

Bell Hill Academy ranks 1370 th of 5857 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-4

1370^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 5,857 California Elementary Schools

Better than 77% of California elementary schools

Summary

Bell Hill Academy is a public elementary school serving 246 students in grades K-4 within the Grass Valley Elementary district, and it has shown remarkable improvement, now ranking in the top quarter of all California elementary schools.

The school stands out for its exceptional math program, where nearly 60% of students are proficient—a rate significantly higher than the state average and notably stronger than many nearby schools, including Grass Valley Charter and Yuba River Charter. This academic strength is particularly impressive given that the school serves a high number of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Furthermore, Bell Hill has made dramatic progress in improving student attendance, cutting its chronic absenteeism rate by more than half since the height of the pandemic.

When comparing schools within its own district, Bell Hill's performance is especially noteworthy; it achieves much higher proficiency rates than the nearby Margaret G. Scotten Elementary, despite the two schools serving similar student populations. This suggests that specific programs and teaching at Bell Hill are making a significant positive difference. For families in the Grass Valley area, Bell Hill Academy represents a consistently high-performing option that excels in mathematics and demonstrates a strong capacity to support student growth.

246

Students ?

22.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$20,091

Per pupil spending ?

59.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

342 South School St.
Grass Valley, CA 95945-6632

(530) 273-2281

District: Grass Valley Elementary

Students who attend Bell Hill Academy usually attend:

Middle:	Lyman Gilmore Middle
High:	Nevada Union High

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

47.6%

White:

46.3%

American Indian:

2.0%

See top rated California elementary schools

Compare Bell Hill Academy to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 63rd percentile in 2015 → 77th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the California average (58% vs 43% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 23% of California elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 14 percentile points since 2015

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Large classes — about 22 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school58%

District avg39%

California avg43%

1,370^th of 5,857

California public elementary schools ?

Top 23%▲ up 13 pts since 2015

From top 37% (2015) to top 23% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of California Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 3Elementary Schools in the Grass Valley Elementary

598^th of 1,543Grass Valley Elementary among California districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	75.0	1370 of 5857	76.6%	★★★★☆
2024	66.4	1757 of 5869	70.1%	★★★★☆
2023	63.6	1859 of 5859	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	56.7	2199 of 5883	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	66.8	427 of 1417	69.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	61.1	2008 of 5789	65.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	54.7	2296 of 5662	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2017	59.6	2031 of 5692	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2016	44.6	2802 of 5614	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2015	57.4	2061 of 5611	63.3%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	82.9	945 of 5597	83.1%	★★★★☆
2024	60.5	1939 of 5612	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	56.7	2096 of 5609	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	53.2	2255 of 5635	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	82.6	210 of 1267	83.4%	★★★★☆
2019	50.6	2455 of 5492	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	34.4	3457 of 5413	36.1%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	79.9	754 of 5107	85.2%	★★★★☆
2024	66.3	1341 of 5107	73.7%	★★★★☆
2023	69.0	1226 of 5087	75.9%	★★★★☆
2022	35.1	3283 of 5084	35.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	65.0	1408 of 4963	71.6%	★★★★☆
2018	47.2	2397 of 4830	50.4%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	62.4	1722 of 5460	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	58.4	1904 of 5517	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	59.8	1753 of 5363	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	55.8	1929 of 5264	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	72.9	211 of 1110	81.0%	★★★★☆
2019	61.9	1632 of 5173	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	56.2	1961 of 5084	61.4%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	59.7	1996 of 5628	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	69.8	1518 of 5643	73.1%	★★★★☆
2023	65.9	1682 of 5638	70.2%	★★★★☆
2022	57.8	2059 of 5663	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	44.4	642 of 1272	49.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	68.6	1571 of 5510	71.5%	★★★★☆
2018	75.1	1262 of 5431	76.8%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	59.4	1114 of 2598	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	50.2	1401 of 2651	47.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	41.1	1690 of 2661	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	43.4	1646 of 2726	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	38.9	1886 of 2834	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	32.6	2013 of 2737	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Hispanic (2025)85th percentile+9 vs school

Female (2025)83rd percentile+7 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)68th percentile-8 vs school

Male (2025)65th percentile-12 vs school

White (2025)57th percentile-19 vs school

By subject vs California (2024-2025) ?

Mathematics59%+22 vs state

English Language Arts/Literacy56%+8 vs state

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Bell Hill Academy and help other families decide.

Rate Bell Hill Academy

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Bell Hill Academy

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				CAST Science (2025)			Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2025)							Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2025)							% Completely Immunized (2022)	% Polio (2022)	% Hepatitis B (2022)	% Varicella (2022)	% DTP (2022)	% MMR (2022)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 5th Grade	CAST Science 8th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 6th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 7th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 8th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	% Completely Immunized KG	% Polio KG	% Hepatitis B KG	% Varicella KG	% DTP KG	% MMR KG	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Bell Hill Academy	Public	K-4	342 South School St.	Grass Valley	95945	Nevada County	Grass Valley Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 273-2281	246	11	22.3	59.3%	114 (46.3%)	3 (1.2%)	117 (47.6%)	3 (1.2%)	5 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.6%)	75	1370^th of 5857 public elementary schools	76.6%		66.4	1757^th of 5869 public elementary schools	70.1%	387				51.1	61.7					56.4	60.4	58.3					59.4	94.1				94.1		$20,091	$1,843	$18,248
Grass Valley Charter	Public, Charter	K-8	225 South Auburn St.	Grass Valley	95945	Nevada County	Grass Valley Elementary	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 273-8723	546	23	23.7	33.2%	451 (82.6%)	5 (0.9%)	50 (9.2%)	9 (1.6%)	5 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	25 (4.6%)	52.8	2445^th of 5857 public elementary schools	58.3%		60.9	2034^th of 5869 public elementary schools	65.3%	411	36.1	40.4	38.1	60.7	33.9	40.3	45.1	66.7	55.8	50.2	64.3	32.7	33.9	39.2	43.4	40.4	42.3	91.4	96.6	94.8	96.6	94.8	94.8	$15,248	$688	$14,560
Margaret G. Scotten Elementary	Public	K-4	10821 Squirrel Creek Rd.	Grass Valley	95945	Nevada County	Grass Valley Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 273-6472	357	19	19.2	74.8%	257 (72.0%)	4 (1.1%)	60 (16.8%)	7 (2.0%)	5 (1.4%)	3 (0.8%)	21 (5.9%)	33.8	3658^th of 5857 public elementary schools	37.5%		36.2	3427^th of 5869 public elementary schools	41.6%	231				31.8	36.8					33.8	42.2	26.3					35.7	90.1	96.7		94.5	92.3	95.6	$19,211	$2,888	$16,323
Yuba River Charter	Public, Charter	K-8	10085 Adam Ave.	Grass Valley	95945	Nevada County	Yuba River Charter District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 272-6060	323	12	26.3	54.2%	242 (74.9%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (11.8%)	5 (1.5%)	3 (0.9%)	1 (0.3%)	34 (10.5%)	50.2	2575^th of 5857 public elementary schools	56.0%		71.4	1530^th of 5869 public elementary schools	73.9%	1045	50.0	50.0	50.0	41.2	48.6	56.3	54.8	89.3	66.7	58.3	29.4	17.1	34.4	35.5	64.3	70.4	40.1	55.4	55.4	57.1	57.1	55.4	57.1	$14,642	$893	$13,749
Union Hill Elementary	Public, Charter	K-6	11638 Colfax Hwy.	Grass Valley	95945	Nevada County	Union Hill Elementary	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 273-8456	542	27	20.2	45.8%	429 (79.2%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (9.0%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	60 (11.1%)	45.3	2866^th of 5857 public elementary schools	51.1%		54.2	2332^nd of 5869 public elementary schools	60.3%	534	24.1		24.1	46.6	52.1	33.8	39.7			42.8	52.1	45.2	20.0	34.6			37.5	96.2	97.2		97.2		98.1	$15,341	$507	$14,834
Deer Creek Elementary	Public	K-3	805 Lindley Ave.	Nevada City	95959	Nevada County	Nevada City Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 265-1870	259	12	21.7	37.5%	203 (78.4%)	2 (0.8%)	28 (10.8%)	6 (2.3%)	2 (0.8%)	1 (0.4%)	17 (6.6%)								(n/a)				44.9						44.9	42.0						42.0	97.1				97.1		$16,860	$1,862	$14,998
Nevada County Special Education	Public	K-8	400 Hoover Ln.	Nevada City	95959	Nevada County	Nevada County Office of Education	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 265-0611	51	7	7.2	58.8%	34 (66.7%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (19.6%)	2 (3.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (7.8%)								(n/a)										6.3							6.3							$146,953	$1,053	$145,900
Twin Ridges Home Study Charter	Public, Charter	K-8	111 New Mohawk Rd.	Nevada City	95959	Nevada County	Nevada County Office of Education	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 478-1815	208	11	19.2	48.1%	163 (78.4%)	3 (1.4%)	15 (7.2%)	1 (0.5%)	4 (1.9%)	1 (0.5%)	21 (10.1%)	29.5	4000^th of 5857 public elementary schools	31.7%		43.4	2974^th of 5869 public elementary schools	49.3%	1026	40.0		38.5	26.3	38.9	36.7	21.1	61.5		38.0	26.3	38.9	10.0	11.1	30.8		22.4	25.0	50.0	54.2	50.0	50.0	41.7	$12,227	$462	$11,765
Nevada City School of the Arts	Public, Charter	K-8	13032 Bitney Springs Rd. Bldg.	Nevada City	95959	Nevada County	Nevada City School of the Arts District	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 273-7736	477	26	18.5	43.0%	358 (75.1%)	1 (0.2%)	60 (12.6%)	7 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (10.5%)	67.8	1698^th of 5857 public elementary schools	71.0%		63	1926^th of 5869 public elementary schools	67.2%	228	57.7	57.7	57.7	52.4	64.4	59.6	56.9	68.3	73.1	62.8	64.3	35.6	40.4	32.8	40.0	50.0	43.0	71.9	79.7	78.1	82.8	79.7	84.4	$19,780	$647	$19,133
Clear Creek Elementary	Public	K-8	17700 McCourtney Rd.	Grass Valley	95949	Nevada County	Clear Creek Elementary	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(530) 273-3664	173	10	17.3	45.1%	113 (65.3%)	1 (0.6%)	24 (13.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (19.1%)	75.9	1335^th of 5857 public elementary schools	77.2%		59.7	2079^th of 5869 public elementary schools	64.6%	744	66.7	52.4	58.3	50.0	40.0	80.0	64.3	73.3	52.4	59.2	55.6	53.3	66.7	50.0	46.7	57.1	55.1							$13,830	$1,044	$12,786

Frequently Asked Questions about Bell Hill Academy

What schools do graduates of Bell Hill Academy attend?

Students who attend Bell Hill Academy usually go on to attend:

Middle : Lyman Gilmore Middle
High : Nevada Union High

What district is Bell Hill Academy in?

Grass Valley Elementary

How many students attend Bell Hill Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 246 students attended Bell Hill Academy.

What is the racial makeup of Bell Hill Academy?

Students at Bell Hill Academy are 48% Hispanic, 46% White, 2% American Indian, 2% Two or more races, 1% African American, 1% Asian.

Is Bell Hill Academy a good school?

Bell Hill Academy ranks 1370^th of 5857 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate Bell Hill Academy!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

CACalifornia Elementary School Rankings

CACalifornia District Rankings

Schools in Grass Valley, CA

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Bell Hill Academy!

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.