The top reported proficiency rate is 16% in Math. The lowest is 6% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Bell Es
Bell Elementary, a public school in Tulsa serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, operates as part of Tulsa Public Schools. The school is located on East Admiral Boulevard in the city. When a parent considers Bell, several factors stand out, particularly around academic performance and the broader district context.
The school’s enrollment is moderate for an elementary, with the student body spread fairly evenly across the grades, from pre-K through fifth. The student composition is notably diverse. The largest ethnic group is Hispanic, followed by a substantial share of White students and a significant Black population. The school also has a notable number of students who identify as two or more races, and a smaller share of American Indian or Alaska Native students. The data did not include information on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, or on the number of students receiving special education services or English learner support, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those populations and the support structures available.
In terms of academic results, the most recent state testing data shows that on the Oklahoma School Testing Program (OSTP) assessments, Bell’s proficiency rates in math and reading are low across grades three through five. In math, the rates of students scoring proficient or above decline from grade three to grade five. In English language arts, the pattern is similar, with a notable drop in grade five. In fifth-grade science, the share of students reaching proficiency is also low. These results place the school in the bottom quartile for overall proficiency when compared to other school districts in Tulsa County. It is worth noting that the state changed the cut scores on the math and reading assessments that year, which means these results cannot be directly compared to prior years. Given these proficiency levels, a parent would want to discuss with the school what academic interventions and supports are in place for students who are not yet on grade level.
The governance context matters here. Tulsa Public Schools has been under a “deficient” accreditation status from the state since August 2023, a public signal that the district has identified areas to address, including low academic performance. The district is also managing declining enrollment, which has led to recent school closures. In 2024, voters approved a large bond package for facility improvements, safety, technology, and instructional materials, but that investment is district-wide and will be issued over time. For a family living near Bell, these district-level dynamics mean that the stability and direction of the local school are tied to broader district decisions about resources and right-sizing.
The housing market in the area is relatively affordable compared to both state and national benchmarks. Home values are below the state average, and rents are also below the national average. The estimated monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home in the area is modest, and the cost of renting is also moderate relative to a typical household income. This suggests that the neighborhood around Bell is one where housing costs are not a primary barrier for many families.
Bell Elementary serves students who live within its attendance zone in Tulsa. The city itself is a diversified regional hub with a strong presence in finance, aviation, technology, and energy. Its cultural institutions, including museums and a history center, are concentrated downtown, and several universities operate campuses in the city. For a family, the school is one small part of a larger urban setting with many civic and economic opportunities.
A parent looking at Bell should go in with open eyes about the academic numbers, which are low in all tested subjects and grades. This is a school where a majority of students are not meeting state proficiency benchmarks. Whether that reflects the school’s programs, the challenges the students bring, or a combination of factors, a prospective parent will want to learn about the school’s approach to instruction, its staffing, and how it supports students who are behind. The data available does not include information on course access, staffing levels, or discipline rates, so those are natural questions for a school visit.
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