Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#1275 of 1,356 schools in AL

Bessemer City High School

High School · Bessemer City

4950 Premiere Parkway, Bessemer, AL 35022

Enrollment

805

Student-Teacher

23.7:1

Score

3.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#1,275 of 1,356

In Bessemer

#11 of 12

public schools

In district

#6 of 7

Bessemer City

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Bessemer City High School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Bessemer City High School

3.6/10

High School in Bessemer · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Empower Community School

6.5/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Bessemer City Middle School

3.3/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bessemer City High School

Bessemer City High School is a public high school in Bessemer, AL, part of Bessemer City. Bessemer City High School serves approximately 805 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 23.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Bessemer City High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,275 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Bessemer City High School show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.5 pts below AL schools
  • This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
  • AL avg 5.1

What Parents Should Know

Bessemer City High School runs 23.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

67% of students at Bessemer City High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.79 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics1.4Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency5% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-43.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile1th
College Readiness6.8Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate67%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,437
Chronic Absenteeism66.7%

Bessemer City High School — Students at Bessemer City High School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 18.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 26.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
60%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
49%
ELA
59%
2011
Math
46%
ELA
56%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
3%
ELA
35%
2014
Math
0.5%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2016
Math
2%
ELA
10%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
14%
2018
Math
8%
ELA
7%
2019
Math
8%
ELA
7%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.8/10.

How Bessemer City High School Compares

See how Bessemer City High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.6/10
6th percentile in AL
Academic
1.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.3/10
Needs Improvement
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
66.7%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

4950 Premiere Parkway, Bessemer, AL 35022

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bessemer City High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. McAdory High School (rated 4.3/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Mccalla), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hueytown High School (rated 3.0/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Hueytown), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bessemer, see our Bessemer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Empower Community School Bessemer 0.7 mi 6.5
Bessemer City Middle School Bessemer 0.8 mi 3.3
DUNNAMS PRIVATE SCHOOL Bessemer 1.2 mi
Westhills Elementary School Bessemer 1.2 mi 5.6
McAdory High School Mccalla 2.8 mi 4.3
Jonesboro Elementary School Bessemer 2.4 mi 4.2
McAdory Middle School Mccalla 3.0 mi 3.7
Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School Bessemer 3.0 mi
NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Bessemer 3.1 mi 4.5
Abrams Elementary School Bessemer 3.7 mi 6.7
Hueytown Middle School Hueytown 4.6 mi 3.4
McCalla Elementary School Bessemer 4.6 mi 6.8
THE CROSSING CHURCH Mc Calla 4.4 mi
Hueytown High School Hueytown 4.6 mi 3.0
Charles F Hard Elementary School Bessemer 4.3 mi 6.3
Hueytown Intermediate School Hueytown 5.0 mi 6.3
Greenwood Elementary School Bessemer 4.6 mi 5.6
Hueytown Primary School Hueytown 5.2 mi 6.1
Brighton School Brighton 5.7 mi 5.6
Lipscomb Elementary School Lipscomb 5.9 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35022 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,084

Median Home Value

$241,300

Median Rent

$991/mo

Population

23,989

College Educated

34%

Homeownership

80.8%

Avg Commute

30.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.5%

Median Age

43.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Huffman High SchoolMagnet Birmingham, AL 3.6
Lee High School Huntsville, AL 3.6
Albert P Brewer High School Somerville, AL 3.7
Baldwin County High School Bay Minette, AL 3.7
George Washington Carver High School Birmingham, AL 3.7
Mattie T Blount High School Eight Mile, AL 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bessemer City High School

What grades does Bessemer City High School serve?

Bessemer City High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Bessemer City High School?

Bessemer City High School has an enrollment of approximately 805 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bessemer City High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bessemer City High School is 23.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bessemer City High School rank in AL?

Bessemer City High School ranks #1,275 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Bessemer City High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bessemer City High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bessemer City High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bessemer City High School has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Bessemer City High School a charter school?

No, Bessemer City High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bessemer City High School a Title I school?

No, Bessemer City High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bessemer City High School?

60.7% of students at Bessemer City High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
805
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Jefferson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
66.7%
4-Year Graduation
67.0%

District

Bessemer City
District Enrollment
3,121
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,437
District Rank
#6 of 7

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 rate

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.