Best Schools in Bessemer City, North Carolina
5 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Bessemer City?
Use this page to compare every school in Bessemer City 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.
Tryon Elementary
Elementary · Gaston County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Bessemer City Middle
Middle · Gaston County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Bessemer City Central Elem
Elementary · Gaston County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Bessemer City for 2026 are Tryon Elementary (4.8/10), Bessemer City Middle (4.6/10), and Bessemer City Central Elem (3.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
5
in this city
Avg Score
4.4
out of 10
Median Home
$187,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
in this city
Avg Score
4.4
out of 10
Median Home
$187,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Bessemer City
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tryon Elementary | 4.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Bessemer City Middle | 4.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Bessemer City Central Elem | 3.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Bessemer City High | 3.4 / 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
- 4.4/10
- Median household income
- $52,058
- Median home value
- $187,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 12%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 69%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Bessemer City compares
North Carolina rank
#247 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.8
below North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$52k
77% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Bessemer City, North Carolina
Bessemer City, North Carolina is home to 5 schools, including 5 public schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 4.4 out of 10, schools in Bessemer City 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 City is Bessemer City Primary with a composite score of 5.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Bessemer City is served by 1 school district: Gaston County Schools. These districts collectively serve 30,253 students.
Bessemer City's community shows 12% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $52,058. The poverty rate in the area is 12.2%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 446 students · Pre-K–2nd | 5.8 |
| 2 | 334 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.8 |
| 3 | 355 students · 3rd–5th | 3.5 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 502 students · 6th–8th | 4.6 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 548 students · 9th–12th | 3.4 |
Schools in Bessemer City
Bessemer City, North Carolina · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$52,058
Median Home Value
$187,600
Median Rent
$880/mo
Population
12,882
College Educated
12%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
12.2%
Community Profile
Bessemer City has a median household income of $52,058. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $187,600, with a median rent of $880/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.2%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
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 City, North Carolina
How many schools are in Bessemer City, North Carolina?
Bessemer City has 5 schools, including 5 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Bessemer City, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Bessemer City is 4.4 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 City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Bessemer City on MySchoolScout is Tryon Elementary with a composite score of 4.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Bessemer City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Bessemer City on MySchoolScout is Tryon Elementary with a composite score of 4.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Bessemer City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Bessemer City on MySchoolScout is Bessemer City Middle with a composite score of 4.6/10.
What is the best high school in Bessemer City, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Bessemer City on MySchoolScout is Bessemer City High with a composite score of 3.4/10.
How many school districts serve Bessemer City, North Carolina?
Bessemer City is served by 1 school district: Gaston County Schools.
What is the education level in Bessemer City, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 12% of adults in Bessemer City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Bessemer City, North Carolina?
The median household income in Bessemer City is approximately $52,058 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Bessemer City, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Bessemer City is 16.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Bessemer City, North Carolina?
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.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.