Principal's Message

Welcome, Roadrunner Community, to the 2021-2022 School Year!

A lesson I always share with students is that our actions define our character, not our words. Reflecting on last school year, I observed our staff’s and students’ character shine in 20-21! I came to see first-hand the strength, empathy, and determination to persevere. Our community should be proud of our teachers’ and students’ accomplishments and recognize our families’ critical role in education (more than ever). Without the support of all of our families, the experiences might have been different.

Remember, Bell earned the following awards last year: A School to Watch at the National & State level, along with the state determining Bell was a Distinguished School! 

Now let’s all take a deep breath, and let’s Reimagine & Reignite for the 21-22 school year. 

Our GGUSD strategic plan is our focus at Bell to guide our decision-making.

Goal 1: All learners will develop the academic skills necessary for continual individual growth towards mastery of standards. 

Goal 2: All learners will develop the personal skills necessary to achieve educational and social goals.  

Goal 3: All learners will be prepared for lifelong success in their intended career paths. 

Therefore, we will take time to Reimagine & Reignite our systems at Bell that support GGUSD Strategic Plan, and the GOOD news, we will be in person!

I am also excited to give a warm welcome to our four NEW teachers & NEW AP to our Roadrunner team!

• Libby Cueva as our Math/Spanish/English teacher
• Kamilyn Zajec as our MM/RSP (SPED) teacher
• David Martyn as our Instrumental teacher (3 periods)
• Kristen Fawley as our Choir teacher (1 period)
• Anna Seo as our new Assistant Principal

As your principal, I am excited to welcome our community to another school year. Our goal as educators at Bell is to support ALL students academically and socially. We will make every effort, so all students graduate as successful and literate members of society and succeed in the increasingly complex world in which they will live and work. We encourage all students to be responsible and self-reliant and set high goals for themselves as they reach their dreams. We are a thriving school because of the great work of our students, staff, parents, volunteers, and community members. We have built a solid foundation and now continue to add layers of quality to our school. We will focus on growing our good school climate and atmosphere to ensure that all students, every day, have a positive learning experience.

Warm wishes for a school year filled with blessings!

Stephanie Bartlett

Principal

Our School

At Bell, we do things 'The Roadrunner Way!' which is a shinning example of the Garden Grove Way! The secret to the success of Bell is that we treat all of our students as if they are our own children, always putting their needs first following the three GGUSD goals which is based on an equation: Academic Skills + Personal Skills = Lifelong Success.

In 2022 U.S. News & World Report ranked Bell Intermediate among the best in California. California has the most ranked middle schools,, with 2,319 nationally, and Bell is close to the top at no. 171. U.S. News used the U.S. Department of Education data to determine the rankings by analyzing math and reading proficiency.

Bell Intermediate has been recognized as a 2021 California Distinguished School. Bell Intermediate school was among only 11 schools in Orange County and just over 100 across the state to receive the prestigious recognition. Schools are awarded for achieving exceptional student performance or closing the achievement gap.

In April 2021, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that Bell Intermediate is one of 31 high-performing California middle schools that the California Schools have recognized to Watch program. Bell Intermediate completed the rigorous application process during the COVID-19 school closure period to have been re-designated as 2021 “California & National Schools to Watch." Bell was awarded this honor first in 2018 as the state’s top honor for high-performing middle schools.

In 2019 Bell was recognized as an AVID School-Wide Site of Distinction - this is the highest rating that a school can achieve within the AVID certification continuum. WICOR drives instruction at AVID schools: Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading across content areas for all students!

In 2017 Bell was named a California Gold Ribbon School for high achievement and model practices.

As you can see, Bell has a long standing record of academic excellence with students outperforming both the county and the state in rigorous state testing.

Bell has an Advanced Learner Program (ALP), Honors English Language Arts, and Advanced Math, classes.

Moreover, Bell offers exceptional elective programs, including music, drama, dance, photography, Art, ASB, STEM, AVID, and so much more as a 21st-century that promotes a culture of college and career readiness that equips students with the tools for success in high school and beyond.

Bell also implements Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports (PBIS) structures to benefit the climate and culture on campus.

There are a variety of student clubs on campus to ensure student connectedness: Science Explorers Club, Animal Amigos, Arts & Crafts, Fellowship, GSA - Genders & Sexualityies Alliance, Dance, California Junior Scholastic Federation CJSF, Bell Buddies, Music, and Club D.C.

Lastly, Bell offers Extended Learning Opportunities to support students in reaching their academic goals.

Bell is a high functioning school within GGUSD and Bell’s families are actively engaged to support our school community which contributes to our successes! Bell is a community school with generation after generation specifically choosing to send their children to Bell!