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Bell Elementary School

3730 N Oakley Ave
Chicago, IL 60618

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Top 10%

Tel: (773) 534-5150

bell.cps.edu

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Alexander Graham Bell School, also known as Bell School is a public school located in the North Center neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, United States; it is a part of the Chicago Public Schools. It offers grades kindergarten through grade eight.

Serving 848 students in grades Kindergarten-8, Bell Elementary School ranks in the top 10% of all schools in Illinois for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 5%, and reading proficiency is top 5%).

The percentage of students achieving is 57% (which is higher than the Illinois state average of 28%). The percentage of students achieving is 55% (which is higher than the Illinois state average of 30%).

The student:teacher ratio of 15:1 is higher than the Illinois state level of 13:1.

Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Illinois state average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Quick Stats (2025)

Grades: Kindergarten-8
Enrollment: 848 students
Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Minority Enrollment: 43%
: Top 10% in IL
: 57% (Top 5%)
: 55% (Top 10%)
: 83% (Top 5%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Bell Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Illinois for:

School Overview

Bell Elementary School's student population of 848 students has declined by 15% over five school years.

The teacher population of 58 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

Grades Offered

Grades Kindergarten-8

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Bell Elementary School
Pre-K	3
Kind	91
1	102
2	96
3	87
4	103
5	90
6	107
7	88
8	81

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Total Students

848 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Bell Elementary School
2023	886
2022	876
2021	953
2020	1,003
2019	1,003
2018	958
2017	958
2016	1,007
2015	1,026
2014	1,045
2013	978
2012	988
2011	951
2010	921
2009	877
2008	909
2007	862
2006	832
2005	788
2004	787
2003	743
2002	718
2001	716
2000	718
1999	728
1998	696
1997	712
1996	744
1995	724
1994	764
1993	714
1992	690
1991	685
1990	656
1989	649
1988	659
1987	678

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

58 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	Bell Elementary School
2023	59
2022	62
2020	59
2019	59
2018	52
2017	52
2016	55
2015	60
2014	58
2013	59
2012	53
2011	58
2010	65
2009	61
2008	46
2007	39
2006	60
2005	57
2004	52
2003	56
2002	54
2001	59
2000	60
1999	65
1998	65
1997	70
1996	69
1995	69
1994	69
1993	69
1992	71
1991	70
1990	75

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Year Founded

1917

Colors

White, Black, Red

School Calendar

View School Calendar

School Rankings

Bell Elementary School ranks within the top 10% of all 3,426 schools in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Bell Elementary School is 0.62, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (IL)

#173 out of 3426 schools
(Top 10%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Bell Elementary School
2022	#173
2021	#169
2019	#270
2018	#171
2017	#156
2016	#92
2015	#104
2014	#64
2013	#63
2012	#32
2011	#83

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(20-21)

57%

28%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2010-2021)
Year	Bell Elementary School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2021	57%	28%	17%
2019	62%	33%	24%
2018	64%	32%	22%
2017	62%	32%	24%
2016	67%	31%	23%
2015	63%	29%	21%
2014	90%	59%	50%
2013	89%	58%	48%
2012	98%	80%	73%
2011	97%	80%	72%
2010	97%	80%	70%

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55%

30%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Bell Elementary School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2022	55%	30%	20%
2021	53%	32%	21%
2019	59%	38%	27%
2018	69%	37%	22%
2017	69%	38%	28%
2016	74%	36%	27%
2015	74%	38%	29%
2014	89%	57%	45%
2013	91%	58%	47%
2012	96%	75%	65%
2011	94%	75%	65%

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83%

50%

Student : Teacher Ratio

15:1

13:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	Bell Elementary School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2023	15:1	14:1	15:1
2022	14:1	14:1	16:1
2020	17:1	15:1	18:1
2019	17:1	15:1	18:1
2018	18:1	16:1	20:1
2017	18:1	15:1	20:1
2016	18:1	16:1	19:1
2015	17:1	16:1	17:1
2014	18:1	16:1	18:1
2013	17:1	13:1	15:1
2012	19:1	16:1	18:1
2011	16:1	16:1	18:1
2010	14:1	16:1	18:1
2009	14:1	16:1	20:1
2008	20:1	18:1	20:1
2007	22:1	17:1	22:1
2006	14:1	16:1	17:1
2005	14:1	16:1	18:1
2004	15:1	17:1	20:1
2003	13:1	16:1	19:1
2002	13:1	16:1	19:1
2001	12:1	16:1	19:1
2000	12:1	16:1	18:1
1999	11:1	16:1	18:1
1998	11:1	17:1	18:1
1997	10:1	17:1	18:1
1996	11:1	17:1	18:1
1995	10:1	17:1	18:1
1994	11:1	18:1	18:1
1993	10:1	18:1	17:1
1992	10:1	17:1	18:1
1991	10:1	17:1	18:1
1990	9:1	18:1	18:1

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American Indian

n/a

Asian

12%

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Bell Elementary School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2023	13%	6%	4%
2022	13%	5%	4%
2021	13%	5%	5%
2020	11%	5%	5%
2019	11%	5%	5%
2018	10%	5%	4%
2017	10%	5%	4%
2016	7%	5%	4%
2015	7%	6%	5%
2014	6%	5%	4%
2013	6%	5%	4%
2012	5%	4%	4%
2011	6%	5%	3%
2010	12%	5%	4%
2009	13%	5%	4%
2008	11%	5%	5%
2007	11%	5%	5%
2006	10%	5%	4%
2005	14%	5%	3%
2004	14%	4%	4%
2003	10%	4%	3%
2002	12%	4%	4%
2001	11%	4%	4%
2000	11%	3%	3%
1999	9%	3%	3%
1998	9%	3%	3%
1997	11%	3%	3%
1996	11%	3%	3%
1995	12%	3%	3%
1994	11%	3%	3%
1993	10%	3%	3%
1992	11%	3%	3%
1991	10%	3%	3%

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Hispanic

17%

28%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Bell Elementary School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2023	18%	27%	44%
2022	14%	27%	44%
2021	15%	27%	44%
2020	17%	26%	44%
2019	17%	26%	44%
2018	19%	26%	45%
2017	19%	26%	45%
2016	19%	26%	44%
2015	20%	25%	41%
2014	22%	25%	46%
2013	24%	24%	46%
2012	24%	24%	44%
2011	26%	23%	44%
2010	25%	22%	42%
2009	24%	22%	41%
2008	19%	21%	40%
2007	22%	20%	39%
2006	22%	19%	39%
2005	28%	18%	38%
2004	29%	18%	37%
2003	31%	17%	37%
2002	31%	16%	36%
2001	32%	15%	35%
2000	29%	15%	35%
1999	30%	14%	35%
1998	29%	13%	34%
1997	29%	13%	33%
1996	29%	12%	32%
1995	28%	12%	31%
1994	29%	11%	31%
1993	29%	11%	30%
1992	28%	10%	29%
1991	27%	10%	28%

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Black

16%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Bell Elementary School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2023	2%	17%	41%
2022	1%	17%	41%
2021	1%	17%	41%
2020	2%	17%	41%
2019	2%	17%	41%
2018	2%	17%	41%
2017	2%	17%	41%
2016	2%	17%	42%
2015	2%	17%	38%
2014	2%	17%	40%
2013	2%	18%	40%
2012	3%	18%	42%
2011	3%	18%	43%
2010	4%	20%	45%
2009	6%	20%	47%
2008	8%	20%	47%
2007	11%	20%	48%
2006	11%	20%	49%
2005	10%	20%	50%
2004	11%	21%	50%
2003	11%	21%	51%
2002	12%	21%	51%
2001	12%	21%	52%
2000	13%	21%	52%
1999	14%	21%	53%
1998	14%	21%	54%
1997	14%	20%	54%
1996	15%	21%	54%
1995	16%	20%	55%
1994	18%	21%	55%
1993	15%	21%	56%
1992	15%	21%	57%
1991	15%	21%	58%

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White

57%

45%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Bell Elementary School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2023	55%	45%	9%
2022	59%	47%	9%
2021	60%	47%	9%
2020	60%	48%	9%
2019	60%	48%	9%
2018	61%	49%	9%
2017	61%	49%	9%
2016	63%	49%	9%
2015	63%	49%	11%
2014	62%	50%	9%
2013	59%	50%	9%
2012	59%	51%	9%
2011	57%	51%	9%
2010	58%	53%	9%
2009	56%	53%	8%
2008	53%	54%	8%
2007	49%	55%	8%
2006	47%	56%	8%
2005	47%	57%	9%
2004	46%	57%	9%
2003	47%	58%	9%
2002	45%	59%	9%
2001	44%	60%	9%
2000	46%	61%	10%
1999	46%	62%	9%
1998	46%	63%	9%
1997	44%	64%	10%
1996	44%	64%	11%
1995	44%	65%	11%
1994	41%	65%	11%
1993	46%	65%	11%
1992	46%	66%	11%
1991	48%	66%	11%

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Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

12%

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Bell Elementary School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2023	12%	4%	2%
2022	13%	4%	2%
2021	11%	4%	1%
2020	9%	4%	1%
2019	9%	4%	1%
2018	8%	3%	1%
2017	8%	3%	1%
2016	9%	3%	1%
2015	8%	3%	3%
2014	8%	3%	1%
2013	8%	3%	1%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.62

0.70

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Bell Elementary School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2023	0.64	0.70	0.63
2022	0.60	0.68	0.63
2021	0.59	0.68	0.63
2020	0.60	0.68	0.63
2019	0.60	0.68	0.63
2018	0.58	0.67	0.62
2017	0.58	0.67	0.62
2016	0.56	0.67	0.62
2015	0.56	0.67	0.59
2014	0.56	0.66	0.63
2013	0.59	0.66	0.63
2012	0.59	0.65	0.63
2011	0.60	0.66	0.62
2010	0.59	0.64	0.62
2009	0.61	0.64	0.61
2008	0.68	0.64	0.61
2007	0.71	0.63	0.61
2006	0.72	0.61	0.60
2005	0.68	0.61	0.60
2004	0.68	0.60	0.61
2003	0.67	0.59	0.61
2002	0.68	0.59	0.60
2001	0.68	0.58	0.60
2000	0.69	0.57	0.61
1999	0.69	0.56	0.61
1998	0.70	0.56	0.60
1997	0.71	0.54	0.60
1996	0.71	0.53	0.60
1995	0.72	0.53	0.60
1994	0.71	0.52	0.60
1993	0.71	0.52	0.60
1992	0.71	0.52	0.59
1991	0.68	0.52	0.59

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Eligible for

17%

43%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2003-2023)
Year	Bell Elementary School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2023	16%	43%	74%
2022	16%	43%	74%
2021	15%	44%	74%
2020	12%	47%	80%
2019	12%	47%	80%
2018	14%	46%	83%
2017	14%	46%	83%
2016	15%	47%	83%
2015	20%	52%	86%
2014	12%	47%	83%
2013	14%	45%	81%
2012	7%	21%	41%
2011	16%	39%	70%
2010	17%	37%	70%
2009	18%	33%	66%
2008	15%	32%	68%
2007	17%	32%	68%
2006	18%	32%	67%
2005	19%	32%	70%
2004	21%	31%	71%
2003	24%	30%	69%

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Eligible for (13-14)

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2004-2014)
Year	Bell Elementary School	Illinois	Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District
2014	3%	3%	3%
2013	1%	5%	4%
2012	12%	27%	46%
2011	4%	5%	6%
2010	4%	6%	7%
2009	6%	6%	8%
2008	5%	6%	8%
2007	5%	6%	8%
2006	7%	6%	8%
2005	8%	5%	8%
2004	9%	5%	9%

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School Statewide Testing

View Education Department Test Scores

School District Name

Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

School Notes

School Mascot: Blaze

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bell Elementary School's ranking?

Bell Elementary School is ranked #173 out of 3,426 schools, which ranks it among the top 10% of public schools in Illinois.

What schools are Bell Elementary School often compared to?

Bell Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Audubon Elementary School, Coonley Elementary School by visitors of our site.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

57% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 28% IL state average), while 55% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 30% IL state average).

How many students attend Bell Elementary School?

848 students attend Bell Elementary School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

57% of Bell Elementary School students are White, 17% of students are Hispanic, 12% of students are Asian, 12% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are Black.

What is the student:teacher ratio of Bell Elementary School?

Bell Elementary School has a student ration of 15:1, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 13:1.

What grades does Bell Elementary School offer ?

Bell Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-8

What school district is Bell Elementary School part of?

Bell Elementary School is part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 School District.

In what neighborhood is Bell Elementary School located?

Bell Elementary School is located in the North Center neighborhood of Chicago, IL. There are 1 other public schools located in North Center.

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Quick Stats (2025)

Grades: Kindergarten-8
Enrollment: 848 students
Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Minority Enrollment: 43%
: Top 10%
: 57% (Top 5%)
: 55% (Top 10%)
: 83% (Top 5%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education