The top reported proficiency rate is 15% in Math. The lowest is 13% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Bel-nor
Bel-Nor is an elementary school serving students in first through fifth grade within the Normandy Schools Collaborative, a district based in St. Louis County. The school sits in a part of the St. Louis region where housing values are relatively modest, and the area has seen a slight decline in home prices recently. Rents in the surrounding zip code are also below the national average, making this a more affordable pocket of the metro area. The community around the school is a mix of residential neighborhoods, and the broader St. Louis region has a diverse economy with strengths in service, manufacturing, trade, transportation, and aviation, along with major employers such as the Federal Reserve Bank, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and several large research universities.
Academically, Bel-Nor's state test results place it in the bottom quartile relative to districts in St. Louis County. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above is low across all tested grades. In English language arts, the proficiency rate is also low, though one grade level shows a slightly higher share than others. Science results for fifth graders follow a similar pattern, with a small fraction of students reaching the proficient level. These figures are based on the Missouri Assessment Program, which measures whether students are meeting grade-level expectations. A parent considering this school should be aware that the overall academic performance is well below the midpoint of what other districts in the county report, and it may be worth asking the school directly about the instruction and support programs in place to address these gaps.
The student body at Bel-Nor is relatively small for an elementary school. The vast majority of students are Black, with a smaller share of Hispanic students and a very small number of white students or those identifying as two or more races. Every student at the school qualifies for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program, which indicates a high level of economic need across the school community. Information on the share of students with disabilities or English learners was not available in the data provided, so a parent may want to inquire about those populations directly.
The district, Normandy Schools Collaborative, recently passed a bond issue that funded a major renovation of the high school, including a new cafeteria, culinary arts suite, and secured entryway, with work ongoing across multiple buildings. The district is also realigning its curriculum to better prepare students for college and workforce needs. These changes are focused on the high school level, but they reflect a broader effort to improve facilities and programming that may eventually affect the elementary schools.
Bel-Nor is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and it does not have a special designation. There is no information about specific programs, course offerings, or extracurricular activities at the school level. For a parent or resident, this is a school where the academic results are a clear area of concern, and the high poverty rate suggests that the school community faces significant challenges. The housing market in the area is affordable, and the district is investing in its high school facilities. Anyone considering Bel-Nor would likely want to visit the school, talk to teachers and administrators, and understand what academic supports are in place for students who are currently performing below grade level.
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