Bel Aire Elementary School

Summary:

Bel Aire Elementary School is a public elementary school in Gulfport, Mississippi, serving 596 students in grades K-6. The school is part of the Harrison County School District, which is ranked 16th out of 130 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating.

Despite being part of a relatively high-performing district, Bel Aire Elementary faces significant challenges. The school has a significantly higher percentage of African American students (57.89%) compared to nearby schools, which tend to have more diverse or predominantly white student populations. Bel Aire's proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics are consistently lower than the district and state averages across all grade levels, with its 3rd-grade ELA proficiency rate at 52.3% compared to the district's 72.2% and the state's 57.7%. Additionally, over 99% of Bel Aire's students receive free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

Bel Aire's performance lags significantly behind other schools in the Harrison County School District, such as Lyman Elementary and Three Rivers Elementary, which have much higher proficiency rates and statewide rankings. The stark racial imbalance between Bel Aire and its surrounding schools suggests potential issues with equity and access to resources within the district. The combination of a high-poverty student population, lower test scores, and lower statewide rankings suggests that Bel Aire may be struggling with factors such as teacher quality, resource allocation, and effective instructional strategies to support its students.


Detail:

Public K-6

 10531 Klein Road
       Gulfport, MS  39503


(228) 832-7436

District: Harrison County School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
259th of 390 Mississippi Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,978 Help


Students who attend Bel Aire Elementary School usually attend:

High:    Harrison Central High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.8 Help
Number of students:  596

Racial breakdown:

African American:
57.9%
White:
19.8%
Hispanic:
12.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99.5% Help


 See top rated Mississippi elementary schools

 Compare Bel Aire Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Bel Aire Elementary School ranks worse than 66.4% of elementary schools in Mississippi. It also ranks 12th among 13 ranked elementary schools in the Harrison County School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 35.96. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Bel Aire Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (57.9%), White (19.8%), Hispanic (12.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 99.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Bel Aire Elementary School is 14.8. 7 elementary schools in the Harrison County School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Bel Aire Elementary School employs 40.2 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Bel Aire Elementary School is $10,978. 10 elementary schools in the Harrison County School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Bel Aire Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Harrison County School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Harrison County School District 16th of 130 Mississippi school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Bel Aire Elementary School?

Rank History for Bel Aire Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2008 58.66 164th 394 58.4%
2009 75.39 85th 392 78.3%
2010 84.89 42nd 403 89.6%
2011 85.57 41st 418 90.2%
2012 70.08 119th 414 71.3%
2013 48.62 221st 408 45.8%
2014 35.73 274th 394 30.5%
2015 67.40 114th 402 71.6%
2016 49.18 198th 394 49.7%
2017 53.21 178th 406 56.2%
2018 52.42 196th 404 51.5%
2019 33.55 270th 397 32.0%
2021 51.80 188th 381 50.7%
2022 53.16 174th 382 54.5%
2023 46.99 196th 377 48.0%
2024 35.96 259th 390 33.6%
See the entire list of Mississippi Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Mississippi Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Bel Aire Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    






Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Open Quote This school is brilliant! My child has been at this school since 1st grade, and this is by far the friendliest neighborhood school I've sent my child too. The principal knows each parent directly and personally, even if the child is never in trouble. My child, being in advanced categories, is challenged daily. The school offers fun events regularly, such as Pickle Friday and Spring Fest, and the Kona-Ice truck comes every last Friday of the month. They also have a yearly talent show. I love this school, and I'd recommend it to any other parent looking for a family-friendly school and fun times. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Bel Aire Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1990 530 454 19 7 0 n/a n/a 0 1010
1991 524 457 10 5 0 n/a n/a 0 996
1992 545 435 16 9 3 n/a n/a 0 1008
1993 559 469 16 6 2 n/a n/a 0 1052
1994 524 417 16 7 2 n/a n/a 0 966
1995 521 334 15 10 4 n/a n/a 0 884
1996 521 334 15 10 4 n/a n/a 0 884
1997 486 388 14 11 4 n/a n/a 0 903
1998 466 414 18 11 3 n/a n/a 0 912
1999 445 454 19 11 3 n/a n/a 0 932
2000 463 455 16 17 3 n/a n/a 0 954
2001 436 493 15 13 3 n/a n/a 0 960
2002 346 396 19 17 1 n/a n/a 0 779
2003 346 396 19 17 1 n/a n/a 0 779
2004 326 366 23 20 3 n/a n/a 0 738
2005 304 388 23 16 5 n/a n/a 0 736
2006 208 285 15 10 1 n/a n/a 0 519
2007 288 390 22 18 1 n/a n/a 0 719
2008 277 370 16 24 1 n/a n/a 0 688
2009 284 352 12 41 2 0 0 0 691
2010 261 373 15 40 1 0 0 0 690
2011 256 376 12 33 0 3 0 0 680
2012 275 418 9 30 0 1 2 0 735
2013 303 480 14 40 0 0 2 0 839
2014 295 487 10 36 0 5 3 0 836
2015 224 368 14 33 1 1 12 0 653
2016 207 390 18 45 1 0 19 0 680
2017 206 410 11 51 5 1 28 0 712
2018 180 416 12 50 3 2 39 0 702
2019 155 436 9 62 4 3 42 0 711
2020 141 446 8 72 6 5 40 0 718
2021 127 330 10 72 4 0 43 0 586
2022 117 321 9 81 4 5 53 0 590
2023 118 345 4 72 2 2 53 0 596

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Bel Aire Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1990 1010 55.9 18.0 n/a
1991 996 52.1 19.1 n/a
1992 1008 55.7 18.0 40.7
1993 1052 55.7 18.9 42.3
1994 966 55.5 17.4 40.4
1995 884 49.9 17.7 38.9
1996 884 49.9 17.7 38.9
1997 903 50.4 17.9 39.3
1998 912 50.6 18.0 40.9
1999 932 50.4 18.5 54.5
2000 954 53.5 17.8 55.3
2001 960 52.5 18.3 55.5
2002 779 41.2 18.9 53.1
2003 779 41.2 18.9 53.1
2004 738 43.2 17.1 80.5
2005 736 41.7 17.6 78
2006 519 40.5 12.8 99.4
2007 719 37.0 19.4 84.3
2008 688 38.1 18.1 80.2
2009 691 37.5 18.4 78.4
2010 690 37.4 18.4 81.4
2011 680 38.2 17.7 84.4
2012 735 37.2 19.7 85.6
2013 839 41.9 20.0 87.1
2014 836 43.1 19.3 89.2
2015 653 39.0 16.7 88.5
2016 680 40.0 17.0 90
2017 712 41.0 17.3 90.3
2018 702 44.0 15.9 91.6
2019 711 41.1 17.2 92.5
2020 718 43.4 16.5 94.2
2021 586 39.9 14.6 99.5
2022 590 34.4 17.1 99.5
2023 596 40.2 14.8 99.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Bel Aire Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1990 1010 55.9 18.0 n/a
1991 996 52.1 19.1 n/a
1992 1008 55.7 18.0 40.7
1993 1052 55.7 18.9 42.3
1994 966 55.5 17.4 40.4
1995 884 49.9 17.7 38.9
1996 884 49.9 17.7 38.9
1997 903 50.4 17.9 39.3
1998 912 50.6 18.0 40.9
1999 932 50.4 18.5 54.5
2000 954 53.5 17.8 55.3
2001 960 52.5 18.3 55.5
2002 779 41.2 18.9 53.1
2003 779 41.2 18.9 53.1
2004 738 43.2 17.1 80.5
2005 736 41.7 17.6 78
2006 519 40.5 12.8 99.4
2007 719 37.0 19.4 84.3
2008 688 38.1 18.1 80.2
2009 691 37.5 18.4 78.4
2010 690 37.4 18.4 81.4
2011 680 38.2 17.7 84.4
2012 735 37.2 19.7 85.6
2013 839 41.9 20.0 87.1
2014 836 43.1 19.3 89.2
2015 653 39.0 16.7 88.5
2016 680 40.0 17.0 90
2017 712 41.0 17.3 90.3
2018 702 44.0 15.9 91.6
2019 711 41.1 17.2 92.5
2020 718 43.4 16.5 94.2
2021 586 39.9 14.6 99.5
2022 590 34.4 17.1 99.5
2023 596 40.2 14.8 99.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Bel Aire Elementary School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2017 $7,874
2018 $7,962
2019 $8,731
2020 $11,372
2021 $10,234
2022 $10,978

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Bel Aire Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 270th of 397 Elementary schoolsRanks 196th of 377 Elementary schools
 16%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Bel Aire Elementary School)40.950.7
 9.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Harrison County School District)57.269.9
 12.7%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)48.351.6
 3.3%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Bel Aire Elementary School)35.350.6
 15.3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Harrison County School District)60.770
 9.3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)51.454.8
 3.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Bel Aire Elementary School)29.443.9
 14.5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Harrison County School District)55.763
 7.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)48.553.4
 4.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Bel Aire Elementary School)16.940.2
 23.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Harrison County School District)55.666.4
 10.8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)48.856.7
 7.9%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Bel Aire Elementary School)3150.6
 19.6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Harrison County School District)50.757.3
 6.6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)4351.9
 8.9%
5th Grade Mathematics (Bel Aire Elementary School)20.722.1
 1.4%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Harrison County School District)45.650.5
 4.9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)38.944.3
 5.4%
5th Grade Science (Bel Aire Elementary School)38.260.2
 22%
   5th Grade Science (Harrison County School District)62.972.7
 9.8%
   5th Grade Science (Mississippi)55.964.3
 8.4%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Bel Aire Elementary School)35.644.8
 9.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Harrison County School District)46.358
 11.7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)33.640.3
 6.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (Bel Aire Elementary School)57.451.7
 5.7%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Harrison County School District)66.367.1
 0.8%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)47.645.5
 2.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students711596
 16.2%
African American436345
 20.9%
American Indian42
 50%
Asian94
 55.6%
Hispanic6272
 16.1%
Pacific Islander32
 33.3%
White155118
 23.9%
Two or More Races4253
 26.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients92.5%99.5%
 7%


Schools Near Bel Aire Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Bel Aire Elementary School

In the 2022-23 school year, 596 students attended Bel Aire Elementary School.

Students at Bel Aire Elementary School are 58% African American, 20% White, 12% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races.

Students who attend Bel Aire Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Harrison Central High School

Bel Aire Elementary School ranks 259th of 390 Mississippi elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.


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





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