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Bell Elementary School

Q: Is Bell Elementary School a good school?

Bell Elementary School ranks 1048 th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

1048^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 53% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Bell Elementary School is a public school in the rural town of Bell, Florida, serving 656 students in grades PK-5 as part of the highly-rated Gilchrist district, which ranks in the top 10% of Florida districts.

Bell Elementary presents a fascinating picture of contrasts. The school’s third graders are performing at an elite level, with 86% proficient in English Language Arts (ELA) and 90% in math—dramatically higher than state averages and far outpacing every nearby school, including Old Town Elementary School, whose third-grade math proficiency was 13 points lower. However, this strength does not carry through to upper grades. By fifth grade, proficiency drops to just 48% in math and 54% in ELA, a much steeper decline than at its in-district peer, Trenton Elementary School, where fifth graders score 65% and 71% respectively. This "sliding doors" pattern is a key concern for parents considering the school.

Another area of focus is chronic absenteeism, which sits at 27%—higher than the district average and notably above Trenton Elementary’s 23%. On a positive note, the school’s per-student spending has increased to $12,288, and the percentage of students eligible for free/reduced lunch has declined to 51%, suggesting improving economic conditions. Interestingly, while Bell benefits from a top-ranked district, High Springs Community School in the lower-ranked Alachua district outperforms Bell in fifth-grade science (74% vs. 57%) and ELA (65% vs. 54%), showing that district rankings don’t tell the whole story. For parents, Bell’s exceptional early grades are a major draw, but the transition to fourth and fifth grade is a critical area to watch.

656

Students ?

17.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,288

Per pupil spending ?

51.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2771 E Bell Ave
Bell, FL 32619

(352) 463-3275

District: Gilchrist

Students who attend Bell Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Bell High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

81.4%

Hispanic:

14.0%

Two or more races:

2.3%

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At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 57th percentile in 2016 → 53rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the Florida median (53rd percentile)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school64%

District avg66%

Florida avg62%

1,048^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Top 47%▼ down 4 pts since 2016

From top 43% (2016) to top 47% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 2Elementary Schools in the Gilchrist

6^th of 70Gilchrist among Florida 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	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	53.9	1048 of 2240	53.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	53.3	1033 of 2258	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	75.7	512 of 2256	77.3%	★★★★☆
2023	67.1	689 of 2240	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	70.7	616 of 2219	72.2%	★★★★☆
2021	77.5	481 of 2247	78.6%	★★★★☆
2019	75.6	502 of 2182	77.0%	★★★★☆
2018	71.3	573 of 2118	72.9%	★★★★☆
2017	75.4	485 of 2112	77.0%	★★★★☆
2016	56.8	896 of 2087	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2014	58.2	863 of 2064	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2013	68.5	611 of 2029	69.9%	★★★☆☆
2012	67.5	635 of 1984	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2011	74.9	469 of 1985	76.4%	★★★★☆
2010	67.4	645 of 1919	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2009	62.0	734 of 1847	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2008	71.0	506 of 1789	71.7%	★★★★☆
2007	72.6	472 of 1786	73.6%	★★★★☆
2006	67.4	561 of 1688	66.8%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Math67%~ state avg

English Language Arts64%+3 vs state

Science57%-3 vs state

★

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Schools Near Bell Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				FAST English Language Arts (2026)						FAST Math (2026)						Statewide Science Science (2026)		EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Civics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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 (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Bell Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2771 E Bell Ave	Bell	32619	Gilchrist County	Gilchrist	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 463-3275	656	37	17.6	51.4%	534 (81.4%)	14 (2.1%)	92 (14.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (2.3%)	53.9	1048^th of 2240 public elementary schools	53.2%		53.3	1033^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	54.3%	15	86.0	52.0	54.0				90.0	61.0	48.0				57.0				$12,288	$1,480	$10,808
Gilchrist Virtual Instruction Program (District Provided)	Public, Virtual	K-5	310 NW 11th Ave	Trenton	32693	Gilchrist County	Gilchrist	No	No	Yes	No	(352) 463-3200	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Trenton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1350 SW State Road 26	Trenton	32693	Gilchrist County	Gilchrist	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 463-3224	779	45	17.3	52.0%	572 (73.4%)	48 (6.2%)	113 (14.5%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (5.6%)	66.5	716^th of 2240 public elementary schools	68.0%		68.9	668^th of 2258 public elementary schools	70.4%	48	61.0	66.0	71.0				75.0	79.0	65.0				59.0				$12,761	$1,610	$11,151
Old Town Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	221 SE 136th Ave	Old Town	32680	Dixie County	Dixie	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 541-6253	517	27	19.1	70.8%	480 (92.8%)	13 (2.5%)	20 (3.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.6%)								(n/a)	63.0						77.0										$11,405	$2,049	$9,355
Fort White Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	18119 SW State Road 47	Fort White	32038	Columbia County	Columbia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 344-6301	644	37	17.4	63.0%	429 (66.6%)	55 (8.5%)	117 (18.2%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	40 (6.2%)	32.4	1607^th of 2240 public elementary schools	28.3%		33.8	1528^th of 2258 public elementary schools	32.3%	79	52.0	47.0	54.0				71.0	53.0	47.0				42.0				$9,796	$1,194	$8,602
Branford Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	26801 State Road 247	Branford	32008	Suwannee County	Suwannee	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 935-5700	712	39	18.2	59.3%	548 (77.0%)	17 (2.4%)	122 (17.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (3.5%)	50.8	1121^st of 2240 public elementary schools	50.0%		51.9	1073^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	52.5%	48	66.0	58.0	57.0				73.0	61.0	41.0				65.0				$10,000	$1,589	$8,412
Newberry Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	25705 SW 15th Ave	Newberry	32669	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 472-1100	651	38	16.9	41.6%	306 (47.0%)	151 (23.2%)	122 (18.7%)	22 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (7.7%)	39.8	1407^th of 2240 public elementary schools	37.2%		57.2	944^th of 2258 public elementary schools	58.2%	463	66.0	54.0					58.0	52.0
Whispering Winds Charter School	Public, Charter	PK, KG-5	2481 NW Old Fannin Rd	Chiefland	32626	Levy County	Levy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(352) 490-5799	132	10	13.2	72.7%	97 (73.5%)	4 (3.0%)	25 (18.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (4.5%)	24.7	1796^th of 2240 public elementary schools	19.8%		36.6	1462^nd of 2258 public elementary schools	35.3%	334	40.0	35.0	41.0				73.0	60.0	41.0				41.0				$10,170	$781	$9,390
High Springs Community School	Public	PK, KG-8	1015 N Main St	High Springs	32643	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	No	(386) 454-1958	902	51	17.5	40.9%	605 (67.1%)	93 (10.3%)	123 (13.6%)	12 (1.3%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	65 (7.2%)	67.3	699^th of 2240 public elementary schools	68.8%		69.9	643^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	71.5%	56	71.0	66.0	65.0	66.0	70.0	68.0	73.0	65.0	63.0	85.0	84.0	50.0	74.0	56.0	88.0	86.0
Kinder Cub School Inc	Public, Charter	PK, KG-2	149 NE 221st Ave	Cross City	32628	Dixie County	Dixie	Yes	No	No	Yes	(352) 498-0002	121	5	24.2	78.5%	83 (68.6%)	33 (27.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.8%)	4 (3.3%)								(n/a)																	$9,826	$00	$9,826

Frequently Asked Questions about Bell Elementary School

What district is Bell Elementary School in?

Gilchrist

What is the racial makeup of Bell Elementary School?

Students at Bell Elementary School are 81% White, 14% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races, 2% African American.

Is Bell Elementary School a good school?

Bell Elementary School ranks 1048^th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Bell Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Bell Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Bell High School

How many students attend Bell Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 656 students attended Bell Elementary School.

Rate Bell Elementary School!

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Latest Florida data All new data »

2025–26 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataMar 20, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

2024–25 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2025

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