Bessemer City High School

Bessemer City High School is a public high school serving students in grades 9 through 12 in Bessemer, Alabama, part of Jefferson County. With an enrollment of 805 students and 34 full-time equivalent teachers, the school operates at a student-teacher ratio of 23.7:1, which is on the higher end and means classrooms tend to be fairly full. Academically, Bessemer City High has significant room for growth.

Current proficiency rates sit at 7% in ELA/Reading and 4% in Math, and the school ranks in the 15th percentile statewide, reflecting real challenges that families should be aware of when evaluating options for their high schooler. For families prioritizing academic performance metrics, it will be worth exploring what supports and interventions the school offers students who are working toward grade-level proficiency. The surrounding 35022 ZIP code tells a somewhat different story — it's a relatively stable suburban community with a median household income of $79,084, a median home value of $241,300, and a poverty rate of 10.5%.

About 34% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, suggesting a community with engaged, educated households. Bessemer City High School sits in a large suburban setting just outside Birmingham, placing it within reach of the broader resources and opportunities that come with proximity to a major metro area.

While current test scores at Bessemer City High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Bessemer City High School is 23.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.