Bell Senior High School

4328 Bell Avenue

School District

Los Angeles Unified
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:26
Type

public

School Map for Los Angeles Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 01, 2021

I graduated 2014. I was not prepared for college. I feel that this school failed me. I didn’t know how important taking certain classes during HS would benefit me. I had some good/carrying teachers. Over all I wish I didn’t attend this school. I did NOT get the guidance I needed to be successful. I had to pave my way.
Submitted by student on January 24, 2017

After reading all the reviews provided on the site I can not help but agree with the majority of what others have had to say. Most teachers in tracks B, C, and D do not care much for their students. Homework is not a priority for them but that does not mean they do not care and support them in any way possible. To be completely honest the staff is one of the biggest problems. The principals does not care and they are focussed on the MAGNET school. They receive most of the school's money and the best teachers are in that progarm, exculding a few whom are in A track. The teachers in the magnet talk trash about kids in regular classes or in AVID saying that we are not smart or could reach their "level." ANd as others said, unless you are in a sport no one cares for you. I was in a sport and there was bullying from the other kids and the coach felt as if my only priority had to be that sport and not my studies. I am a straight A student taking magnet classes, althought most teachers don't care, the onces that do have helped me achieve my goals and i can't wait to go into my dream university and show everyone at Bell that even us 'regualar' students have an oporunity in the outside world. At least we are babbied and arent given everything on a silver plater like magnet has.
Submitted by other on January 22, 2016

Staff is rude with no manners, counselor Linares is horrible he acts like if he hates his job. The first day my daughters was scheduled to see him for her class schedule he discourage her from attending Bell, made her think gradation was impossible for her. Over all such of horrible experience and I can honestly say this person is so unethical. Thanks to patty at the counselors front desk and Mrs Torres head of counselors that made my visit a bit more pleasant.
Submitted by teacher on January 02, 2015

Wow so many "community" members talking about "accountability" for teachers! You by chance wouldn't be from Families in Schools or some other teacher -bashing organization would you? Because most members of our community do not talk in such "talking point" language. By the way, Bell used to be a much better school but it now has the principal who was there when Fremont was reconstituted so if the school has gone downhill, look at him. When Scott Braxton was principal, that school was a well-oiled machine. Teachers and students were respected. Sad to say, that is no more.
Submitted by other on November 01, 2013

i am a former student, until i felt the need to leave. the first day i met the dean he told me he didnt like me, i have never in my life spoken to him so i have no idea why he would say that. all the teachers i had dont care about their students. this school is so crowded you must act fast the first day of school to get a table to sit for lunch. the staff is so rude, i remember one time they took my lunch away for no reason and threw it away in front of my face while i was minding my own business. my former counselor asked for my name and then asked me if i was sure it was my name kept insisting it wasnt my name. if you need help they will yell at you think you dont know anything and not help.
Submitted by other on July 01, 2013

As a former student, and now college graduate working in education, I look back at my experience and I realize there are many things to praise and condemn Bell High for. The school is overcrowded, which has created challenges with respect to fair offerings of courses, scheduling, and resources. There is very little accountability placed upon teachers and very little attempt to get parents engaged, which has affected the college-going culture negatively. Nonetheless, I do commend other areas of the school, such as certain advanced placement/honors courses and particular teachers who diligently put effort into challenging their students and ensuring comprehension. Moreover, there is a strong student government program and athletics department. However, one fact particularly strikes me; about 80% of Bell's graduates are ineligible/unprepared to apply for a Cal State or UC university. For this reason--and others--I do not recommend enrolling your child at this school. The law allows you to enroll your child in any public school, so do your research, and find the right school, because high school is very important in determining your child's future.
Submitted by other on June 26, 2013

Unless you're in honors/AP/sports you'll have the worst time of your life. The school food is horrible, most teachers don't care, and the few that do care are only in AP/Honors programs. The school will use almost any excuse to hold your diploma. If you're in a sport and don't pay up for the failure of a fundraiser that they host you best bet you won't graduate without paying out of your own pocket. I graduated in 2012 with high honors and I've been in both regular classes and honors. Its outstanding how much complaining you hear from everywhere. The school tries to put up an image of outstanding work and an effort to help those who are far behind but the truth is they don't. The CAHSEE stops many from graduating and it is sad that it does. The questions revolve around 6th grade math and english so the amount of people failing it is just unbelievable. The school holds workshops, I've personally gone and its just 4 hours of complaining from students and teachers "trying" to put in effort to teach material that is rarely included in any form of testing. Overall, unless you find the right people to talk to in this school, you won't get your education.
Submitted by other on December 26, 2012

I graduated this school in 1993 and have a niece that currently attends here. Like most schools the students need parental supervision. If parents aren't parents their kids will not try. It is easy for parents and students to blame the school for their own failures. How in the world is it possible for someone to fail a CAHSEE exam several times? My 7th grade daughter can pass that test. This school has the resources and teachers to help the students succeed. The student need to put in an effort as well. I don't understand how some students are successful and others are not. The teachers can do so much. If students do not try or parents don't stand over their kids being parents then do not blame the school for your short comings.
Submitted by other on August 24, 2012

I was a former student at Bell High School. The administrators and some of the teachers here just don't care about the students. Thanks to them I did not receive my high school diploma with the rest of my classmates because I had failed the CAHSEE exam one too many times but had worked hard and even exceeded the rest of the requirements for graduation. Not once was I given the right kind, for example, one on one tutoring, a screening, or even bothered to get to the bottom of why I was failing my CAHSEE and doing so poorly in my math classes. It wasn't till I got to college that I got the right kind of help. Turns out I had a learning disability that these people had failed to recognize. When I went back to confront them about this and get an explanation all they told me was,"you have to look for help somewhere else since you already have the two year mark." To make matters worst, instead of motivating students to go to college or make something positive out of their lives they tell their students and their parents,"don't worry, most of these kids don't even graduate and most of them get pregnant. We don't expect much from you."
Submitted by other on October 20, 2011

i graduated in class 2011 i was in the soccer team an di remember that everytime i didnt want to go to class i could just go to the P.E lokers and be there. is true that if you are Honor student, AP student, or athletes you have priorities have either school teachers, coach, and the police in charge of the school order. many teachers were responsible for criticizing his troublemakers students rather than trying to help them . course there are always teachers who really do their job, but still the majority of teachers that I had only the charge of wasting their time. in the soccer girls team I used to find discrimination aver that the players were not good enough and , were sat during the training and not helped at all. purposely learned that the school does not make the student. if you want to be someone in life gives the best of you. I played three years in varsity soccer team for women and thank God I had the chance to start, but look at the discrimination that emerged from the trainer to bad players.
Submitted by parent on October 11, 2010

This the school where I learn the value of education and one my of sons went to Bell and to see how much the school has deteriorated and how children are still making the best of their education under such sad conditions broke my heart. The students deserve more than a run down school with falling ceiling tiles due to leaks on the roof and outdated building facilities that hinder not only their education but most importantly their health both physical and psychological. Please consider given the students of Bell Senior High School an educational environment that is indusive to learning. Thank you on behalf of all the students at Bell Senior High School.
Submitted by other on April 10, 2010

I graduated in class of 2007, and I hated it. I was in the Honors program for 2 years (Before I miraculously left the Honors program due to close-mindedness and seeing how unfair it was), and during that time I realized how the school only cared for the Honor students, AP students, and athletes, but they forgot about the troubled kids who needed the guidance. In Bell, if you were a troublemaker, the administrators preferred to suspend you or even kick you out of school than help you. If you were in sports, the school police would let you ditch class leave school to go get a burger, as long as you brought him one (Not making this up, I saw with my own eyes). Basically, it's a bad school, and I wouldn't even give it a star if it wasn't for the very few people that actually pushed students.
Submitted by student on March 03, 2010

BHS has great teachers who really care about the students and as well it has great programs to get us in the path to college
Submitted by student on February 28, 2010

Most People think that Bell isn't a good school because of the area or the bad records it has.. But Bell has good teachers that will push students to the limit to get their school work done. It Also has a good rating of students passing CAHSEE and they go up every year. Last year in 2009 above 80% of 10th grade students passed CAHSEE the first time. It has alot of programs...and our sports are really good here ranging from Swimming,Tennis,Football,Basketball,Volleyball ,Baseball,Football,Soccer,Softball,Track,Cross Country,Golf..And so many clubs to choose.
Submitted by student on January 08, 2010

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Submitted by student on November 09, 2008

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Submitted by parent on August 19, 2008

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Submitted by student on February 17, 2008

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Submitted by teacher on November 13, 2007

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Submitted by student on June 23, 2007

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