Weekly Progress Reports from AERIES - article thumnail image

Weekly Progress Reports from AERIES

AERIES has a feature where parents or students can subscribe to weekly progress emails from within the Aeries Parent/Student Portal. These emails contain up-to-date attendance and grade book information, and security settings are honored. FOR…
Bell received recognition as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School - article thumnail image

Bell received recognition as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School

Bell received recognition as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School by promoting social inclusion through intentionally planned and implemented activities across our campus. With sports as the foundation, the three-component model offers a uniqu…
CONGRATULATIONS TO BELL for being awarded GOLD status! - article thumnail image

CONGRATULATIONS TO BELL for being awarded GOLD status!

CONGRATULATIONS TO BELL for being awarded GOLD status! The California PBIS Coalition recognizes K-12 schools that are implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) with the Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Recognition System.
No Place for Hate (6 Consecutive Years) - article thumnail image

No Place for Hate (6 Consecutive Years)

For the sixth consecutive year, the Anti-Defamation League named Bell an official No Place for Hate School for our commitment to fostering a positive school culture focused on respect and kindness. During the 2025-2026 school year, we will continue t…
2023-2024 California Honor Roll Awarded to Bell Intermediate - article thumnail image

2023 & 2024 California Honor Roll Awarded to Bell Intermediate

Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) was one of 109 school districts to be named a California Honor Roll District, a recognition from the Educational Results Partnership (ERP). Additionally, more than 40% of GGUSD schools were named 2023-2024…
BELL Receives State Honors - 2024 - article thumnail image

BELL Receives State Honors - 2024

🎉🌟 Exciting News! 🌟🎉 Congratulations to Bell for being recognized with two prestigious Statewide honors. Bell’s Commitment to providing support through the lens of GGUSD’s Strategic Plan Goals 1, 2, & 3 (Academic Skills, Personal Skills, Lifelong Success) is the foundation or the practices that helped to earn these awards.

Principal's Message

Principal's Message

Welcome to the 2025/2026 School Year!

Dear Bell Intermediate Community,

It is an honor to introduce myself as the new principal of Bell Intermediate for the 2025–2026 school year. My name is Chris Holland, and I am excited to join the West Garden Grove community. I come to Bell having spent the past six years as an elementary school principal at Morningside and Warren Elementary Schools in Garden Grove. Before that, I served as an assistant principal and worked at the district office as a coordinator of Evaluation and Research. I began my career as a high school history teacher at Bolsa Grande High School and have always believed in the power of education to open doors, transform lives, and help every student become the best version of themselves—academically, socially, and personally.

Bell has an impressive list of honors, having been named a California Distinguished School and a School to Watch. These honors reflect the incredible work of our students, staff, and families, and I am committed to building on this legacy of success.

At the heart of our work is a shared belief that all students can thrive when they feel supported, challenged, and connected. I am passionate about fostering a school environment where every student is known, valued, and inspired to lead with excellence—the Roadrunner Way. At Bell, that means making sure all students know they “BELL-ong.”

I look forward to getting to know our students and families, and I encourage you to stay engaged and involved as we begin this exciting new school year together. Thank you for welcoming me into the Bell Intermediate community; I can’t wait to see what we will accomplish together!

Warmly,
Chris Holland
Principal, Bell Intermediate School

 

 

 

Our School

Bell Intermediate: Excellence the Roadrunner Way!

At Bell Intermediate, we do things The Roadrunner Way, setting a shining example of the Garden Grove Way! Our success is rooted in treating every student as if they were our own, always putting their needs first. We embrace the three GGUSD goals, guided by the belief that:

📚 Academic Skills + 🌟 Personal Skills = 🎓 Lifelong Success

Bell’s long-standing tradition of excellence is reflected in our numerous awards and recognitions, a testament to the dedication of our students, staff, and families.

A Legacy of Excellence

🏆 2024-2025 – Recognized among the best middle schools in California by U.S. News & World Report, ranking No. 156 out of 2,319 schools based on math and reading proficiency. Additionally, Bell was honored as a California Honor Roll School for outstanding student success.  Additionally, we were awarded the Gold Level of PBIS by the California Department of Education (CDE), showcasing our commitment to fostering a positive school climate and student success.
🏆 2023-2024 – Re-designated as a California & National Schools to Watch and named a California Distinguished School, the state’s highest honor for high-performing middle schools. Bell also earned recognition as a California Honor Roll School for academic excellence.
🏆 2022 – Ranked No. 171 out of 2,319 middle schools in U.S. News & World Report, highlighting Bell’s continued academic success.
🏆 2021 – Named a California Distinguished School, one of just 11 schools in Orange County and 100+ statewide to receive this recognition. Re-designated as a California & National Schools to Watch for our commitment to student growth.
🏆 2019 – Recognized as an AVID School-Wide Site of Distinction, the highest honor within the AVID certification continuum, embedding WICOR strategies (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading) across all subjects.
🏆 2018 – Honored as a California & National Schools to Watch for outstanding student achievement.
🏆 2017 – Earned the prestigious California Gold Ribbon School distinction for innovative and high-impact instructional practices.

Academic Rigor & Student Opportunities

Bell Intermediate students consistently outperform county and state averages on rigorous state assessments. Our curriculum offers Advanced Learner Programs (ALP), Honors English Language Arts, and Advanced Math to challenge and engage students.

Beyond the classroom, Bell fosters creativity and leadership through a diverse range of electives, including:
🎶 Music 🎭 Drama 💃 Dance 📸 Photography 🎨 Art
🗳 ASB (Leadership) 🏗 STEM 🎓 AVID (College & Career Readiness)

A Thriving School Community

Bell is committed to fostering a positive, inclusive environment, earning Gold Level PBIS recognition from CDE in 2024. Our Positive Behavior Intervention & Support (PBIS) framework ensures a safe, respectful, and engaging learning space where all students can thrive.

Students stay connected through a variety of clubs, including:
🔬 Science Explorers 🐾 Animal Amigos 🎭 Arts & CraftsFellowship
🏳️‍🌈 GSA (Genders & Sexualities Alliance) 💃 Dance Club 🎓 CJSF (California Junior Scholastic Federation)
🤝 Bell Buddies 🎶 Music ClubClub D.C.

For students seeking additional academic support, Bell offers Extended Learning Opportunities, empowering every learner to achieve their personal best.

The Heart of the Community

Bell Intermediate is more than a school—it’s a family. Many families, generation after generation, choose Bell for their children, reinforcing its deep-rooted connection to the West Grove community. Our actively engaged families play a vital role in shaping a thriving, high-achieving school.

At Bell Intermediate, we’re committed to excellence, empowerment, and successThe Roadrunner Way!