Bell Fork Elementary School

I moved to Jacksonville just over a year ago and sent my kids to Bell Fork Elementary. While there, they were verbally abused daily and physically abused by the bus driver. My boys are not difficult children and I certainly don't overreact as a standard procedure. I have spoken to a number of parents that have taken their kids out of Bell Fork and they all have the same comments. The teachers and staff (granted some are good) are generally abusive. Nearly all of the students at the private school both my boys now attend are previously from Bell Fork. The market here hardly supports private school tuition and it should be an important marker of the school that both the private school and Bell Fork are within walking distance of each other, yet parents prefer to pay hard earned money in order to avoid the crass administration and the horrible quality of teachers at Bell Fork. Avoid this school at all costs - even in the days of poor NC public school education, this school is certainly leading the way to inevitable litigation.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school both of my children attended this school for 2 years! Ms Sunday and Mrs Simma are great teachers! The principle is very involved with the students!!!
--Submitted by a parent

My son has almost completed his first year at Bell Fork Elementary and he is doing wonderful. His teacher is kind and conciderate of military families and the concerns that accompany parents deploying often. She and her aid have wonderful communication between parent child and teacher. My son loves school and is learning and thriving. Because of this possitive experience he cannot wait to start 1st grade. Thank you Bell Fork!
--Submitted by a parent

We just moved to Jacksonville in the middle of the school year and my daughters 1st grade teacher is great. The staff really cares about their students and everyone is very helpful. I love the atmosphere in this school. Very relaxed but awesome for the children. We are a military family and it was perfect for us, and my child has went to 3 different schools this school year alone. Her teacher is really understanding of that and has helped catch my daughter up on the things she must learn by the end of the school year. I have nothing but good things to say about Bell Fork.
--Submitted by a parent

I have nothing but praise for this school. The teachers that I have personally dealt with have a passion for teaching and learning. I have always seen great compassion for students here as well. We moved across town, and my son had to change elementary schools. We miss Bellfork and the staff there. Although there has been a yearly turn over of assistant principals at BFE, Dr. Williams has remained the principal for years and I believe this greatly helps to keep the continuity of things on an even and upward direction.
--Submitted by a parent

Bell Fork has served my son well for the past 3 school years. However, the front office staff is not very friendly. They always seem to have an attitude when you are trying to ask questions. Other than that, this school has great teachers. Not much involvement individually with the students on the part of the principal though.
--Submitted by a parent

When my son attended it was the only time he made the Principal's List! They do percentage grading rather than what base schools do like 'O = Outstanding, G = Good' etc, which is very vague for a student. They can't progress with that. The teachers were excellent. The entire school strived for excellence for the student, not the school's benefit, as it should be. They allowed the kids to want to better themselves and enjoyed it!
--Submitted by a parent

great school, at the time my kids were there-they were one of the top schools in the state.
--Submitted by a parent

Bell Fork is a superior school for learning. The faculty and staff collaborate towards every students success.
--Submitted by a parent

Bell Fork is a wonderful school