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Needs Improvement

#1301 of 1,356 schools in AL

Bessemer City Middle School

Middle School · Bessemer City

100 High School Drive, Bessemer, AL 35020

Enrollment

648

Student-Teacher

20.9:1

Score

3.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#1,301 of 1,356

In Bessemer

#12 of 12

public schools

In district

#7 of 7

Bessemer City

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Bessemer City Middle School

3.3/10

Middle School in Bessemer · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Westhills Elementary School

5.6/10

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

Dunnams Private School

Nearby

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

About Bessemer City Middle School

Bessemer City Middle School is a public middle school in Bessemer, AL, part of Bessemer City. Bessemer City Middle School serves approximately 648 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Bessemer City Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,301 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Bessemer City Middle School show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.3 pts below AL schools
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • AL avg 5.6

What Parents Should Know

Bessemer City Middle School runs 20.9:1 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.

49% of students at Bessemer City Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.56 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency3% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency13% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-20.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,437
Chronic Absenteeism49.2%

Bessemer City Middle School — Students at Bessemer City Middle School score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

88.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 26.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 35.5% (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
58%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
54%
ELA
64%
2012
Math
59%
ELA
71%
2013
Math
8%
ELA
16%
2014
Math
11%
ELA
15%
2015
Math
16%
ELA
19%
2016
Math
19%
ELA
19%
2017
Math
21%
ELA
28%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
24%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
24%
2020*
Math
3%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
23%
2022
Math
3%
ELA
23%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Bessemer City Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.3/10
4th percentile in AL
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
49.2%

Programs & Offerings

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

100 High School Drive, Bessemer, AL 35020

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bessemer City Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. McAdory Middle School (rated 3.7/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Mccalla), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hueytown Middle School (rated 3.4/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Hueytown), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bessemer, see our Bessemer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Westhills Elementary School Bessemer 0.7 mi 5.6
DUNNAMS PRIVATE SCHOOL Bessemer 0.8 mi
Empower Community School Bessemer 0.9 mi 6.5
Bessemer City High School Bessemer 0.8 mi 3.6
Jonesboro Elementary School Bessemer 1.7 mi 4.2
Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School Bessemer 2.6 mi
McAdory High School Mccalla 2.8 mi 4.3
NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Bessemer 2.8 mi 4.5
McAdory Middle School Mccalla 3.0 mi 3.7
Abrams Elementary School Bessemer 3.4 mi 6.7
Charles F Hard Elementary School Bessemer 3.8 mi 6.3
Greenwood Elementary School Bessemer 3.8 mi 5.6
McCalla Elementary School Bessemer 4.4 mi 6.8
Hueytown Middle School Hueytown 4.7 mi 3.4
Hueytown Intermediate School Hueytown 5.1 mi 6.3
THE CROSSING CHURCH Mc Calla 4.8 mi
Hueytown Primary School Hueytown 5.4 mi 6.1
Hueytown High School Hueytown 5.1 mi 3.0
Brighton School Brighton 5.5 mi 5.6
Lipscomb Elementary School Lipscomb 5.4 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35020 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$33,247

Median Home Value

$90,900

Median Rent

$856/mo

Population

25,308

College Educated

9.9%

Homeownership

56.2%

Avg Commute

23.8 min

Poverty Rate

34.9%

Median Age

40.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Rudd Middle School Pinson, AL 3.3
Huntsville Junior High School Huntsville, AL 3.2
Bellingrath Middle School Montgomery, AL 3.4
Greenville Middle School Greenville, AL 3.4
Hueytown Middle School Hueytown, AL 3.4
Whitesburg Middle School Huntsville, AL 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bessemer City Middle School

What grades does Bessemer City Middle School serve?

Bessemer City Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Bessemer City Middle School?

Bessemer City Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 648 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Bessemer City Middle School is 20.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bessemer City Middle School rank in AL?

Bessemer City Middle School ranks #1,301 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Bessemer City Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bessemer City Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bessemer City Middle School has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Bessemer City Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Bessemer City Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

88.3% of students at Bessemer City Middle 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
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
13 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
648
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
88.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Jefferson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
49.2%

District

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

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