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Bell Elementary

Q: Is Bell Elementary a good school?

Bell Elementary ranks 894 th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 1-5

894^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 40% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Bell Elementary is a small school in Asheville, NC, serving roughly 224 students in grades 1–5 as part of Buncombe County Schools. The school serves a high-poverty population—around 96% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch—yet it stands out for strong attendance. Bell Elementary's chronic absenteeism rate was just 12.9% in 2024–2025, well below the district average of 18.7% and less than half the statewide rate of 24.2%. The school also maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.3, giving teachers more opportunity to work with smaller groups of students.

Academically, Bell has been something of a roller coaster in recent years. The school ranked in the 79th percentile statewide in 2021–2022, climbed to the 72nd percentile with a 4-star rating in 2024–2025, then dropped sharply to the 40th percentile with a 2-star rating in 2025–2026. Because the school is so small—roughly 40–50 students per grade—year-to-year results can swing dramatically based on the strengths of a single cohort. In the most recent year, 4th grade students performed well in math and reading, while 3rd and 5th grade reading lagged noticeably behind district averages.

Parents looking for context may want to compare Bell to nearby Haw Creek Elementary, which sits less than a mile away and serves an even higher share of students in poverty. Haw Creek outperformed Bell in nearly every subject in 2025–2026, including a striking gap in 3rd grade reading (66.7% vs. 43.2%). Bell also outperforms Oakley Elementary and Williams Elementary in some grade levels but trails them in others. The good news: Bell's low absenteeism suggests families are engaged and students are regularly showing up ready to learn, giving the school a solid foundation to build on.

224

Students ?

12.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

96%

Free/discounted lunch ?

90 Maple Springs Road
Asheville, NC 28805

(828) 298-3789

District: Buncombe County Schools

Students who attend Bell Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Reynolds Middle
High:	Center for Career Innovation
	Nesbitt Discovery Academy
	Reynolds High

Racial breakdown:

White:

67.4%

Hispanic:

10.7%

African American:

10.3%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Bell Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 70th percentile in 2016 → 40th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the North Carolina average (55% vs 61% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 30 percentile points since 2016

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school55%

District avg61%

North Carolina avg61%

894^th of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Bottom 40%▼ down 30 pts since 2016

From top 30% (2016) to bottom 40% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

109^th of 246Buncombe County Schools among North Carolina 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	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	40.6	894 of 1492	40.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	68.5	413 of 1490	72.3%	★★★★☆
2024	55.1	660 of 1505	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	64.0	515 of 1502	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	75.7	315 of 1514	79.2%	★★★★☆
2021	58.4	603 of 1489	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	53.6	706 of 1473	52.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	55.0	665 of 1434	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	58.3	603 of 1429	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2016	68.6	423 of 1425	70.3%	★★★★☆
2015	78.4	270 of 1440	81.3%	★★★★☆
2014	66.3	452 of 1390	67.5%	★★★☆☆
2013	61.4	498 of 1403	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2012	40.3	938 of 1388	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2011	42.7	887 of 1381	35.8%	★★☆☆☆
2010	47.7	812 of 1363	40.4%	★★☆☆☆
2009	55.0	698 of 1354	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2008	77.8	224 of 1324	83.1%	★★★★☆
2007	64.3	460 of 1293	64.4%	★★★☆☆
2006	67.0	386 of 1276	69.7%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2019	51.0	352 of 878	59.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	75.6	108 of 897	88.0%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	58.9	555 of 1447	61.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.4	557 of 1451	61.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.0	748 of 1455	48.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	49.0	761 of 1459	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	83.3	184 of 1458	87.4%	★★★★☆
2021	53.7	629 of 1440	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	59.6	568 of 1424	60.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	42.3	889 of 1405	36.7%	★★☆☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	70.8	28 of 710	96.1%	★★★★★
2019	65.3	118 of 612	80.7%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2021	40.8	474 of 843	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	29.6	686 of 865	20.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	27.9	1168 of 1434	18.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	69.8	315 of 1437	78.1%	★★★★☆
2024	49.4	716 of 1450	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	64.0	428 of 1437	70.2%	★★★★☆
2022	73.2	237 of 1366	82.7%	★★★★☆
2021	47.1	654 of 1329	50.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	52.9	626 of 1361	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	50.5	661 of 1332	50.4%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	25.7	1149 of 1451	20.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	70.5	374 of 1450	74.2%	★★★★☆
2024	55.6	641 of 1464	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	67.8	409 of 1461	72.0%	★★★★☆
2022	63.8	495 of 1464	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	61.9	515 of 1444	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	48.8	769 of 1430	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	66.7	442 of 1413	68.7%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	38.0	770 of 1146	32.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	58.4	473 of 1172	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.0	639 of 1166	45.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	51.8	590 of 1183	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	66.0	368 of 1194	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	47.9	605 of 1172	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	37.2	813 of 1183	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	40.6	778 of 1178	34.0%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Gifted and Talented (2025)96th percentile+24 vs school

Female (2026)62nd percentile+22 vs school

Disabled (2019)60th percentile+8 vs school

Hispanic (2021)44th percentile-16 vs school

White (2026)33rd percentile-7 vs school

Male (2026)21st percentile-19 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)19th percentile-22 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics61%~ state avg

Science53%-15 vs state

Reading50%-6 vs state

★

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Schools Near Bell Elementary

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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)				EOG Mathematics (2026)						EOG Reading (2026)						EOG Science (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
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 (2025)	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	EOG Mathematics 3rd Grade	EOG Mathematics 4th Grade	EOG Mathematics 5th Grade	EOG Mathematics 6th Grade	EOG Mathematics 7th Grade	EOG Mathematics 8th Grade	EOG Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Reading 6th Grade	EOG Reading 7th Grade	EOG Reading 8th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	EOG Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Bell Elementary	Public	1-5	90 Maple Springs Road	Asheville	28805	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 298-3789	224	18	12.3	96.0%	151 (67.4%)	23 (10.3%)	24 (10.7%)	3 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (10.3%)	40.6	894^th of 1492 public elementary schools	40.1%		68.5	413^th of 1490 public elementary schools	72.3%	481	54.1	69.7	60.5				43.2	60.6	47.4				52.6		$10,953	$1,366	$9,587
Haw Creek Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	10 Bethesda Road	Asheville	28805	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 298-4022	402	33	12.3	99.3%	256 (63.7%)	61 (15.2%)	35 (8.7%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	45 (11.2%)	74.6	328^th of 1492 public elementary schools	78.0%		68.4	419^th of 1490 public elementary schools	71.9%	91	65.0	73.8	68.2				66.7	72.1	70.5				79.5		$10,330	$1,007	$9,324
Evergreen Community Charter	Public, Charter	K-8	50 Bell Road	Asheville	28805	Buncombe County	Evergreen Community Charter	Yes	No	No	Yes	(828) 298-2173	430	32	13.3	40.5%	353 (82.1%)	1 (0.2%)	31 (7.2%)	5 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	39 (9.1%)	66.4	480^th of 1492 public elementary schools	67.8%		65.4	477^th of 1490 public elementary schools	68.0%	3	62.5	59.6	60.8	66.0	71.4	78.0	68.8	57.4	76.5	76.0	77.1	77.6	70.6	91.8
Oakley Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	753 Fairview Road	Asheville	28803	Buncombe County	Buncombe County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 274-7515	502	32	15.4	98.0%	203 (40.4%)	120 (23.9%)	123 (24.5%)	7 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (9.8%)	24	1206^th of 1492 public elementary schools	19.2%		20.4	1273^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	14.6%	67	45.8	34.2	48.5				45.8	38.0	55.9				55.9		$11,073	$1,338	$9,735
Mountain City Public Montessori	Public, Charter	K-8	27 Church Street	Asheville	28801	Buncombe County	Mountain City Public Montessori	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(828) 570-5554	137	7	20.1		106 (77.4%)	5 (3.6%)	8 (5.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (13.1%)	44.3	839^th of 1492 public elementary schools	43.8%		45	831^st of 1490 public elementary schools	44.2%	8	52.6	36.0	25.0	40.0		20.0	73.7	56.0	58.3	80.0		60.0	75.0	80.0
Claxton Elementary	Public, Magnet	K-5	241 Merrimon Avenue	Asheville	28801	Buncombe County	Asheville City Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(828) 350-6500	405	31	12.9	37.8%	287 (70.9%)	53 (13.1%)	34 (8.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	29 (7.2%)	75	322^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	78.4%		72.8	348^th of 1490 public elementary schools	76.6%	26	70.3	72.1	67.6				73.4	67.6	73.0				73.0		$11,974	$943	$11,031
ArtSpace Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	2030 US Hwy 70	Swannanoa	28778	Buncombe County	ArtSpace Charter	Yes	No	No	Yes	(828) 298-2787	402	31	12.7		339 (84.3%)	3 (0.7%)	28 (7.0%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (7.2%)	76	301^st of 1492 public elementary schools	79.8%		74	333^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	77.7%	32	60.0	71.7	68.6	65.2	54.2	47.5	67.5	69.6	76.5	69.6	77.1	80.0	88.2	90.0
Isaac Dickson Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	125 Hill Street	Asheville	28801	Buncombe County	Asheville City Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(828) 350-6800	390	29	13.3	41.0%	220 (56.4%)	75 (19.2%)	36 (9.2%)	6 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.5%)	47 (12.1%)	61.4	558^th of 1492 public elementary schools	62.6%		62.6	520^th of 1490 public elementary schools	65.1%	38	60.4	79.0	59.6				56.3	77.4	52.6				66.7		$12,739	$936	$11,803
Ira B Jones Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	544 Kimberly Avenue	Asheville	28804	Buncombe County	Asheville City Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(828) 350-6700	369	27	13.5	54.5%	199 (53.9%)	97 (26.3%)	31 (8.4%)	5 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.5%)	24 (6.5%)	43.7	850^th of 1492 public elementary schools	43.0%		41.1	897^th of 1490 public elementary schools	39.8%	47	53.8	45.0	56.1				48.7	50.0	69.0				76.2		$13,444	$825	$12,620
Hall Fletcher Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	60 Ridgelawn Road	Asheville	28806	Buncombe County	Asheville City Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(828) 350-6400	318	25	12.5	58.8%	171 (53.8%)	76 (23.9%)	40 (12.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.9%)	27 (8.5%)	28.6	1124^th of 1492 public elementary schools	24.7%		40.4	910^th of 1490 public elementary schools	38.9%	214	48.6	40.4	59.1				40.0	40.4	54.5				59.1		$14,641	$1,562	$13,079

Frequently Asked Questions about Bell Elementary

What district is Bell Elementary in?

Buncombe County Schools

What is the racial makeup of Bell Elementary?

Students at Bell Elementary are 67% White, 11% Hispanic, 10% African American, 10% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Bell Elementary attend?

Students who attend Bell Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Reynolds Middle
High : Center for Career Innovation
High : Nesbitt Discovery Academy
High : Reynolds High

Is Bell Elementary a good school?

Bell Elementary ranks 894^th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Bell Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 224 students attended Bell Elementary.

Rate Bell Elementary!

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2017–18 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 2, 2026

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2024–25 graduation ratesSep 3, 2025

2024–25 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 3, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

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.