Bear Exploration Center ranked #63 in Alabama in 2023, down from a peak rank of #1 in 2010 and 2011, showing a notable decline in overall state ranking over the past decade.
Math proficiency was 59% in 2023, higher than the state average of 30%, while reading proficiency was 79%, also higher than the state average of 47%, and science proficiency ranged from 65% to 69%, exceeding the state average of 38%.
Minority enrollment accounted for approximately 70% of the 503 students enrolled from kindergarten through grade 5, with stable enrollment around 510 students and a student–teacher ratio near 18:1 in recent years.
Free or reduced–price lunch eligibility remained relatively low, around 17% combined in 2023, indicating a smaller proportion of socioeconomically disadvantaged students compared to many Title–I schools.
As a magnet school in Montgomery, AL, Bear Exploration Center offered a diverse curriculum including cultural arts, music, technology, and career–technical education, supporting a broad range of student interests.
Quick Facts (26-27)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: Kindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 507 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Minority Enrollment: 78%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 5% in AL
- Math Proficiency: 59% (Top 10%)
- Reading Proficiency: 79% (Top 5%)
- Science Proficiency: 65-69% (Top 10%)
- Attendance Zone: Bear Exploration Center serves the northern part of Montgomery, AL, covering an attendance area of approximately 5.5 square miles, where most students live within a 5-10 minute drive of the school. The average distance from the school to the edge of the zone is about 1.8 miles, with the furthest point being 2.3 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Bear Exploration Center ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
School Overview
Bear Exploration Center's student population of 507 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 27 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-5
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
507 students
Showing 2015–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Total Classroom Teachers
27 teachers
Showing 2015–2025. View full 39-year historical data
School Rankings
Bear Exploration Center ranks within the top 5% of all 1,275 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Bear Exploration Center is 0.53, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.64. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#63 out of 1275 schools
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
59%
30%
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
79%
47%
Showing 2012–2022. View full 13-year historical data
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
65-69%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
17:1
Showing 2015–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Asian
3%
2%
Showing 2015–2025. View full 32-year historical data
Hispanic
5%
12%
Showing 2015–2025. View full 29-year historical data
Black
65%
31%
Showing 2015–2025. View full 37-year historical data
White
22%
50%
Showing 2015–2025. View full 37-year historical data
Two or more races
5%
4%
Showing 2015–2025. View full 13-year historical data
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2015–2025. View full 37-year historical data
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)6.9%
22.6%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
37%
53%
Showing 2015–2025. View full 29-year historical data
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
5%
Showing 2012–2024. View full 26-year historical data
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Profile last updated:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bear Exploration Center's ranking?
Bear Exploration Center is ranked #63 out of 1,275 schools, which ranks it among the top 5% of public schools in Alabama.
What schools are Bear Exploration Center often compared to?
Bear Exploration Centeris often viewed alongside schools like Forest Avenue Elementary School, Macmillan International At Mckee by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
59% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 30% AL state average), while 79% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
How many students attend Bear Exploration Center?
507 students attend Bear Exploration Center.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
65% of Bear Exploration Center students are Black, 22% of students are White, 5% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, and 3% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Bear Exploration Center?
Bear Exploration Center has a student ration of 19:1, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Bear Exploration Center offer ?
Bear Exploration Center offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-5 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Bear Exploration Center part of?
Bear Exploration Center is part of Montgomery County School District.
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