At a glance
Reported students
249
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
21
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
11.9:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
South Carolina elementary enrollment
10th percentile
Compared with 679 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
425
Bells Elementary: 249 reported students.
State peer staffing position
23rd percentile
11.9:1 reported; state peer median 13.4:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 281
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Student–teacher ratio
- 13.4:1
What the reported data says about Bells Elementary
Bells Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in Ruffin. It is one of 9 current school records connected to Colleton 01. NCES reports 249 students for 2024–25.
Among 679 elementary schools in South Carolina with comparable records, this school is smaller than the reported median of 509 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 10th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 11.9:1, below the South Carolina median of 13.4:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (45%) and Black (41.4%). English learners represent 3.9% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 10%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Bells Elementary
- 1How do the reported 11.9:1 student–teacher ratio and 21 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 3.9%
- Students with disabilities
- 10%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White45%
- Hispanic9.6%
- Black41.4%
- Asian0%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.4%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial3.6%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Colleton 01
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Hendersonville Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
324 reported students
Black Street Early Childhood Center
Elementary · Grades PK–KG
358 reported students
Cottageville Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
425 reported students
Northside Elementary
Elementary · Grades 01–05
428 reported students
Forest Hills Elementary
Elementary · Grades 01–05
472 reported students
Thunderbolt Career and Technology Center
High · Grades 09–12
0 reported students