Bells Elementary

Summary:

Bells Elementary is a public elementary school in Ruffin, South Carolina, serving 291 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Colleton 01 school district, which is ranked 74th out of 75 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Bells Elementary has a relatively even racial distribution, with 42.96% White, 43.3% African American, and 10.31% Hispanic students. However, the school consistently ranks in the bottom 10-15% of elementary schools in South Carolina, with a 0-1 star rating from SchoolDigger. Its proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics are significantly lower than the state and district averages, with only around 30% of students proficient or better in these subjects. This is likely due to the school's 100% free and reduced-price lunch rate, indicating that all students come from low-income households. Interestingly, Bells Elementary has the highest per-student spending among the nearby schools, with $16,533 spent per student in the 2022-2023 school year, but this has not translated into improved academic outcomes.

While the nearby schools in the Colleton 01 district also struggle academically, some schools, such as Northside Elementary and Forest Hills Elementary, perform better than Bells Elementary. This suggests that there may be opportunities to learn from the practices and strategies of the higher-performing schools within the district. Additionally, Bells Elementary's performance has been declining over the years, with its statewide ranking dropping from the 519th position in 2016-2017 to the 578th position in 2023-2024, indicating a need for a comprehensive, data-driven approach to school improvement.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 12088 Bells Highway
       Ruffin, SC  29475


(843) 782-0012

District: Colleton 01

SchoolDigger Rank:
578th of 638 South Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,533 Help


Students who attend Bells Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Colleton County Middle
High:    Colleton County High

Student/teacher ratio:  14.6 Help
Number of students:  278

Racial breakdown:

African American:
42.1%
White:
41.4%
Hispanic:
11.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  100% Help


 See top rated South Carolina elementary schools

 Compare Bells Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Bells Elementary ranks worse than 90.6% of elementary schools in South Carolina. It also ranks 3rd among 5 ranked elementary schools in the Colleton 01 School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 11.96. (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
Help
Compare Details Bells Elementary has the smallest elementary school student body size in the Colleton 01 School District. Racial makeup is: African American (42.1%), White (41.4%), Hispanic (11.9%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Colleton 01 School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Bells Elementary is 14.6, which is the 3rd best among 5 elementary schools in the Colleton 01 School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Bells Elementary employs 19 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Bells Elementary is $16,533, which is the 2nd highest among 5 elementary schools in the Colleton 01 School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Bells Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Bells Elementary 578th of 638 South Carolina public elementary schools. (See Bells Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:


Colleton 01:

SchoolDigger ranks Colleton 01 74th of 75 South Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Bells Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Bells Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 30.43 416th 542 23.2%
2004 35.83 390th 550 29.1%
2005 27.65 447th 557 19.7%
2006 21.68 482nd 559 13.8%
2007 18.13 509th 566 10.1%
2008 13.99 533rd 577 7.6%
2009 19.52 512th 580 11.7%
2010 29.66 469th 589 20.4%
2011 24.29 500th 597 16.2%
2012 29.46 473rd 594 20.4%
2013 24.55 503rd 599 16.0%
2014 13.02 592nd 630 6.0%
2015 20.23 562nd 638 11.9%
2016 18.75 535th 619 13.6%
2017 22.01 519th 639 18.8%
2018 11.53 582nd 624 6.7%
2019 11.03 591st 643 8.1%
2021 9.33 585th 622 5.9%
2022 14.80 539th 625 13.8%
2023 10.86 599th 644 7.0%
2024 11.96 578th 638 9.4%
See the entire list of South Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Bells Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 16.95 537th 588 8.7%
2019 10.76 571st 600 4.8%
2021 12.31 542nd 580 6.6%
2022 18.41 511th 600 14.8%
2023 13.49 560th 608 7.9%
2024 14.33 548th 599 8.5%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Bells Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 12.27 539th 588 8.3%
2021 3.84 552nd 554 0.4%
2022 10.30 531st 573 7.3%
2023 11.28 537th 580 7.4%
2024 13.44 516th 565 8.7%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Bells Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 14.75 516th 571 9.6%
2019 11.69 545th 590 7.6%
2021 6.46 544th 561 3.0%
2022 19.85 470th 579 18.8%
2023 11.47 529th 582 9.1%
2024 11.73 522nd 568 8.1%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Bells Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 15.42 397th 421 5.7%
2021 8.31 350th 350 0.0%
2023 16.30 367th 394 6.9%
2024 16.96 347th 369 6.0%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for White students at Bells Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 4.17 465th 472 1.5%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for White Students!

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

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Bells Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: South Carolina Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Bells Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 114 363 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 477
1989 103 403 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 506
1990 106 384 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 490
1991 112 387 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 499
1992 96 377 0 6 0 n/a n/a 0 479
1993 90 356 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 448
1994 84 393 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 481
1995 77 355 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 434
1996 77 355 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 434
1997 61 299 0 8 0 n/a n/a 0 368
1998 71 284 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 358
1999 71 256 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 330
2000 98 251 0 8 0 n/a n/a 0 357
2001 103 245 0 7 1 n/a n/a 0 356
2002 118 243 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 363
2003 118 243 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 363
2004 124 226 0 8 0 n/a n/a 0 358
2005 94 224 0 7 1 n/a n/a 0 326
2006 101 238 0 10 1 n/a n/a 0 350
2007 102 212 0 17 0 n/a n/a 0 331
2008 90 226 0 30 0 n/a n/a 0 346
2009 101 240 1 29 0 n/a n/a 0 371
2010 120 220 1 40 0 n/a n/a 0 381
2011 99 208 0 52 0 0 12 0 371
2012 92 180 0 51 0 0 10 0 333
2013 113 158 0 40 0 0 13 0 324
2014 108 158 1 47 0 1 13 0 328
2015 99 159 1 64 0 1 13 0 337
2016 98 127 1 68 1 0 20 0 315
2017 117 120 0 63 1 0 10 0 311
2018 125 123 0 68 1 0 13 0 330
2019 126 139 0 55 1 0 9 0 330
2020 142 152 0 50 1 0 6 0 351
2021 122 157 0 42 1 1 10 0 333
2022 118 134 0 34 2 1 9 0 298
2023 125 126 0 30 1 1 8 0 291
2024 115 117 0 33 1 0 12 0 278

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 Bells Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 477 29.6 16.1 n/a
1989 506 30.7 16.4 n/a
1990 490 32.7 14.9 n/a
1991 499 33.7 14.8 70.7
1992 479 32.3 14.8 79.5
1993 448 32.0 14.0 85.5
1994 481 32.0 15.0 83.6
1995 434 34.4 12.6 83.4
1996 434 34.4 12.6 83.4
1997 368 26.6 13.8 81.8
1998 358 26.0 13.8 83.8
1999 330 26.0 12.7 86.4
2000 357 27.0 13.2 82.4
2001 356 28.0 12.7 83.7
2002 363 24.0 15.1 86
2003 363 24.0 15.1 86
2004 358 24.0 14.9 86
2005 326 21.0 15.5 86.8
2006 350 20.0 17.5 85.7
2007 331 36.3 9.1 81.6
2008 346 20.0 17.3 85
2009 371 21.0 17.7 83.8
2010 381 21.0 18.1 87.7
2011 371 22.0 16.8 72
2012 333 20.1 16.5 91.9
2013 324 20.6 15.7 90.7
2014 328 22.5 14.5 86.6
2015 337 22.0 15.3 81.6
2016 315 22.0 14.3 100
2017 311 22.0 14.1 100
2018 330 22.0 15.0 100
2019 330 21.0 15.7 100
2020 351 24.0 14.6 100
2021 333 23.0 14.4 100
2022 298 24.0 12.4 100
2023 291 21.0 13.8 100
2024 278 19.0 14.6 100

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 Bells Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 477 29.6 16.1 n/a
1989 506 30.7 16.4 n/a
1990 490 32.7 14.9 n/a
1991 499 33.7 14.8 70.7
1992 479 32.3 14.8 79.5
1993 448 32.0 14.0 85.5
1994 481 32.0 15.0 83.6
1995 434 34.4 12.6 83.4
1996 434 34.4 12.6 83.4
1997 368 26.6 13.8 81.8
1998 358 26.0 13.8 83.8
1999 330 26.0 12.7 86.4
2000 357 27.0 13.2 82.4
2001 356 28.0 12.7 83.7
2002 363 24.0 15.1 86
2003 363 24.0 15.1 86
2004 358 24.0 14.9 86
2005 326 21.0 15.5 86.8
2006 350 20.0 17.5 85.7
2007 331 36.3 9.1 81.6
2008 346 20.0 17.3 85
2009 371 21.0 17.7 83.8
2010 381 21.0 18.1 87.7
2011 371 22.0 16.8 72
2012 333 20.1 16.5 91.9
2013 324 20.6 15.7 90.7
2014 328 22.5 14.5 86.6
2015 337 22.0 15.3 81.6
2016 315 22.0 14.3 100
2017 311 22.0 14.1 100
2018 330 22.0 15.0 100
2019 330 21.0 15.7 100
2020 351 24.0 14.6 100
2021 333 23.0 14.4 100
2022 298 24.0 12.4 100
2023 291 21.0 13.8 100
2024 278 19.0 14.6 100

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 Bells Elementary

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YearPersonnel Expenditures from Federal FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from Federal FundsTotal Expenditures from Federal FundsPersonnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,546 (13.8%) $761 (6.8%) $2,307 (20.7%) $7,490 (67.1%) $1,366 (12.2%) $8,856 (79.3%) $11,163
2020 $1,597 (13.8%) $817 (7.1%) $2,414 (20.9%) $7,821 (67.7%) $1,319 (11.4%) $9,140 (79.1%) $11,554
2021 $1,913 (15.7%) $612 (5.0%) $2,525 (20.8%) $8,454 (69.6%) $1,176 (9.7%) $9,630 (79.2%) $12,155
2022 $2,234 (15.6%) $1,545 (10.8%) $3,779 (26.4%) $9,010 (62.9%) $1,536 (10.7%) $10,546 (73.6%) $14,325
2023 $2,150 (13.0%) $1,155 (7.0%) $3,305 (20.0%) $11,182 (67.6%) $2,046 (12.4%) $13,227 (80.0%) $16,533

Data source: South Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Bells Elementary

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 591st of 643 Elementary schoolsRanks 599th of 644 Elementary schools
 1.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Bells Elementary)26.527.4
 0.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Colleton 01)3031.4
 1.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)49.753.5
 3.8%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Bells Elementary)32.613.7
 18.9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Colleton 01)35.526.4
 9.1%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)57.753.6
 4.1%
4th Grade Science (Bells Elementary)28.230.8
 2.6%
   4th Grade Science (Colleton 01)35.421.2
 14.2%
   4th Grade Science (South Carolina)5246.6
 5.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Bells Elementary)2540.3
 15.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Colleton 01)27.228.7
 1.5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)51.357.2
 5.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Bells Elementary)18.89.6
 9.2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Colleton 01)26.315.4
 10.9%
   4th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)50.547
 3.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Bells Elementary)12.229.5
 17.3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Colleton 01)15.531.6
 16.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)4155.2
 14.2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Bells Elementary)229.1
 12.9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Colleton 01)17.218
 0.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)45.444.6
 0.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students330291
 11.8%
African American139126
 9.4%
American Indian11
Asian00
Hispanic5530
 45.5%
Pacific Islander01
White126125
 0.8%
Two or More Races98
 11.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients100%100%


Schools Near Bells Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Bells Elementary

Bells Elementary ranks in the bottom 9.4% of South Carolina elementary schools.

Students who attend Bells Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Colleton County Middle
High : Colleton County High

Students at Bells Elementary are 42% African American, 41% White, 12% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races.

In the 2023-24 school year, 278 students attended Bells Elementary.


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