Best Schools in Bessemer, Alabama
16 schools · 11 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Bessemer?
Use this page to compare every school in Bessemer by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Oak Grove Elementary School
Elementary · Jefferson County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Mccalla Elementary School
Elementary · Jefferson County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Abrams Elementary School
Elementary · Bessemer City. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Bessemer for 2026 are Oak Grove Elementary School (7.6/10), Mccalla Elementary School (6.8/10), and Abrams Elementary School (6.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 13 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
16
13 public · 3 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$161,867
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Schools
16
13 public · 3 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$161,867
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Rates 7.6/10 despite 54% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.6 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Bessemer schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Bessemer
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (13 of 16). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oak Grove Elementary School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Mccalla Elementary School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Abrams Elementary School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Charles F Hard Elementary School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Concord Elementary School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Harvest Christian School | 5.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Greenwood Elementary School | 5.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Westhills Elementary School | 5.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Oak Grove High School | 4.9 / 10 |
| 10 | New Life Christian School of Excellence | 4.5 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $60,540
- Median home value
- $161,867
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 73%
7% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Bessemer compares
Alabama rank
#152 of 179
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below Alabama avg (6.4)
Median household income
$61k
101% of Alabama median
Schools in this city
14
About Schools in Bessemer, Alabama
Bessemer, Alabama is home to 16 schools, including 13 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 11 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.5 out of 10, schools in Bessemer show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Bessemer is Oak Grove Elementary School with a composite score of 7.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Bessemer is served by 4 school districts. These districts collectively serve 39,262 students.
Bessemer's community shows 21% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $60,540. The poverty rate in the area is 19.8%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 575 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 | ||
| 2 | 765 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.8 | ||
| 3 | 217 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.7 | ||
| 4 | 302 students · Kindergarten–7th | 6.5 | ||
| 5 | 350 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.3 | ||
| 6 | 405 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.2 | ||
| 7 | 295 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.6 | ||
| 8 | 297 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.6 | ||
| 9 | 509 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.2 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 119 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.5 | ||
Show all 11 elementary schools in Bessemer
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 648 students · 6th–8th | 3.3 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 732 students · 6th–12th | 4.9 |
| 2 | 805 students · 9th–12th | 3.6 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 168 students · 9th–10th | — | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Harvest Christian School
Private
42 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.9 | ||
Schools in Bessemer
Bessemer, Alabama · 16 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$60,540
Median Home Value
$161,867
Median Rent
$1,021/mo
Population
74,518
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
73%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
19.8%
Community Profile
Bessemer has a median household income of $60,540. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,867, with a median rent of $1,021/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.8%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Alabama
- Elementary
- 11
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 2
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Alabama
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Bessemer, Alabama
How many schools are in Bessemer, Alabama?
Bessemer has 16 schools, including 13 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Bessemer, Alabama?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Bessemer is 5.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Bessemer, Alabama?
The top-ranked school in Bessemer on MySchoolScout is Oak Grove Elementary School with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Bessemer, Alabama?
The top-ranked elementary school in Bessemer on MySchoolScout is Oak Grove Elementary School with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Bessemer, Alabama?
The top-ranked middle school in Bessemer on MySchoolScout is Bessemer City Middle School with a composite score of 3.3/10.
What is the best high school in Bessemer, Alabama?
The top-ranked high school in Bessemer on MySchoolScout is Oak Grove High School with a composite score of 4.9/10.
How many school districts serve Bessemer, Alabama?
Bessemer is served by 4 school districts: Alabama Aerospace and Aviation, Bessemer City, Jefferson County, Empower Community School.
What is the education level in Bessemer, Alabama?
According to Census data, 21% of adults in Bessemer have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Bessemer, Alabama?
The median household income in Bessemer is approximately $60,540 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Bessemer, Alabama?
Yes, Bessemer has 3 private schools alongside 13 public schools. The top-rated private school is Harvest Christian School with a score of 5.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Bessemer, Alabama?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Bessemer is 18.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Bessemer, Alabama?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Alabama Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.