For the 2025 school year, there are 8 public schools serving 3,121 students in Bessemer City School District. This district's average testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Alabama.
Public Schools in Bessemer City School District have an average math proficiency score of 5% (versus the Alabama public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 20% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Alabama public school average of 49% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (AL)
# Schools
8 Schools
1,520 Schools
# Students
3,121 Students
743,516 Students
# Teachers
151 Teachers
42,637 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
21:1
21:1
District Rank
Bessemer City School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 145 school districts in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 65% has decreased from 73% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#138 out of 145 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
5%
29%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
20%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
12%
38%
Graduation Rate
65%
88%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.39
0.63
# American Indian Students
4 Students
5,986 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
1 Student
10,976 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
1%
# Hispanic Students
634 Students
83,354 Students
% Hispanic Students
20%
11%
# Black Students
2,356 Students
234,256 Students
% Black Students
76%
32%
# White Students
55 Students
379,490 Students
% White Students
2%
51%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
824 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
71 Students
28,630 Students
% of Two or more races Students
2%
4%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
119
21,953
# Students in K Grade:
244
55,899
# Students in 1st Grade:
260
58,528
# Students in 2nd Grade:
273
57,991
# Students in 3rd Grade:
254
55,161
# Students in 4th Grade:
256
54,236
# Students in 5th Grade:
262
54,179
# Students in 6th Grade:
250
54,861
# Students in 7th Grade:
214
55,768
# Students in 8th Grade:
184
56,376
# Students in 9th Grade:
231
59,139
# Students in 10th Grade:
202
56,986
# Students in 11th Grade:
179
53,181
# Students in 12th Grade:
193
49,258
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,448 is higher than the state median of $13,006. The school district revenue/student has grown by 25% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,357 is higher than the state median of $12,220. The school district spending/student has grown by 26% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$48 MM
$9,671 MM
Spending
$45 MM
$9,086 MM
Revenue / Student (19-20)
$15,448
$13,006
Spending / Student (19-20)
$14,357
$12,220
Best Bessemer City School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Westhills Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
710 Glenn Rd
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 432-3500
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 432-3500
Grades: K-5
| 297 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Abrams Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1200 23rd Street North
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3100
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3100
Grades: PK-5
| 217 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Greenwood Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
5012 Roselyn Road Southeast
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 432-3201
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 432-3201
Grades: K-5
| 295 students
Rank: #44.
Jonesboro Elementary School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
125 Owen Ave
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3400
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3400
Grades: PK-5
| 509 students
Rank: #55.
Bessemer City Middle School
(Math: 3% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
100 High School Drive
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3601
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3601
Grades: 6-8
| 648 students
Rank: #66.
Charles F Hard Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2801 Arlington Ave
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3300
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3300
Grades: PK-5
| 350 students
Rank: #77.
Bessemer City High School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4950 Premiere Parkway
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 432-3700
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 432-3700
Grades: 9-12
| 805 students
Rank: n/an/a
New Horizon Alternative School
Alternative School
1701 6th Ave N
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3036
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3036
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Bessemer City School District?
Bessemer City School District manages 8 public schools serving 3,121 students.
What is the rank of Bessemer City School District?
Bessemer City School District is ranked #137 out of 145 school districts in Alabama (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year.
What is the racial composition of students in Bessemer City School District?
76% of Bessemer City School District students are Black, 20% of students are Hispanic, 2% of students are White, and 2% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Bessemer City School District?
Bessemer City School District has a student/teacher ratio of 21:1, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What is Bessemer City School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $14,357 is higher than the state median of $12,220. The school district spending/student has grown by 26% over four school years.
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