Average
#1028 of 1,356 schools in AL
Charles F Hard Elementary School
Elementary School · Bessemer City
2801 Arlington Ave, Bessemer, AL 35020
Enrollment
350
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
350
Student-Teacher
21.9:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bessemer
#6 of 12
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#676 of 696
In district
#3 of 7
Bessemer City
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Charles F Hard Elementary School
Charles F Hard Elementary School is a public elementary school serving students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Bessemer, Alabama, part of Jefferson County. With an enrollment of 350 students and 16 full-time equivalent teachers, the school operates at a student-teacher ratio of 21.9:1. Academically, Charles F Hard is in a period of growth, with current performance reflecting the broader challenges of the community it serves.
Thirty-six percent of students are reading at or above proficiency, while math proficiency stands at 11%, indicating meaningful room for academic development in both core subject areas. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks in the 9th percentile among Alabama schools, suggesting that families prioritizing strong academic outcomes may want to explore additional support resources for their children. The surrounding 35020 ZIP code is a working-class community with a median household income of $33,247 and a poverty rate of approximately 35%.
About 10% of adults in the area hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the median home value sits at $90,900. These neighborhood conditions reflect the real economic pressures many Hard Elementary families navigate daily, and they provide important context for understanding the school's academic profile. Situated in a large suburban area just outside Birmingham, Charles F Hard Elementary is part of a close-knit Bessemer community working to support its youngest learners.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Charles F Hard Elementary 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 Charles F Hard Elementary School is 21.9:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
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Charles F Hard Elementary School — Students at Charles F Hard Elementary School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.0/10.
How Charles F Hard Elementary School Compares
See how Charles F Hard Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 12% (2022).
Location
2801 Arlington Ave, Bessemer, AL 35020
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Charles F Hard Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hueytown Primary School (rated 8.8/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Hueytown), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lipscomb Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Lipscomb), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Abrams Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bessemer, see our Bessemer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Abrams Elementary School Bessemer | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School Bessemer | 1.3 mi | — |
| NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Bessemer | 1.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Lipscomb Elementary School Lipscomb | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Jonesboro Elementary School Bessemer | 2.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Brighton School Brighton | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Rutledge School Midfield | 2.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Midfield High School Midfield | 3.2 mi | 5.5 |
| DUNNAMS PRIVATE SCHOOL Bessemer | 3.1 mi | — |
| Westhills Elementary School Bessemer | 3.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Glen Oaks Elementary School Fairfield | 3.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Hueytown Middle School Hueytown | 3.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Midfield Elementary School Midfield | 3.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Hueytown Intermediate School Hueytown | 3.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Bessemer City Middle School Bessemer | 3.8 mi | 4.4 |
| MT PILGRIM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fairfield | 4.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Hueytown Primary School Hueytown | 3.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Oxmoor K5 Birmingham | 4.0 mi | 6.4 |
| MIRACLE ACADEMY PRIVATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Birmingham | 4.4 mi | — |
| Bessemer City High School Bessemer | 4.3 mi | 4.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Charles F Hard Elementary School has a median household income of $33,247. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $90,900, with a median rent of $856/month. The area has a poverty rate of 34.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Irondale Community School Irondale, AL | 5.2 |
| Martha Gaskins K5 Birmingham, AL | 5.2 |
| West Point Intermediate School Vinemont, AL | 5.2 |
| CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Daphne, AL | 5.4 |
| James Dawson Elementary Huntsville, AL | 5.4 |
| Midfield Elementary School Midfield, AL | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Charles F Hard Elementary School
What grades does Charles F Hard Elementary School serve?
Charles F Hard Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Charles F Hard Elementary School?
Charles F Hard Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 350 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Charles F Hard Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Charles F Hard Elementary School is 21.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Charles F Hard Elementary School rank in AL?
Charles F Hard Elementary School is ranked #1028 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Charles F Hard Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Charles F Hard Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Charles F Hard Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Charles F Hard Elementary School has 10.7% math proficiency and 36.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Charles F Hard Elementary School a charter school?
No, Charles F Hard Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Charles F Hard Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Charles F Hard Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Charles F Hard Elementary School?
84.9% of students at Charles F Hard Elementary 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (8,900/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bessemer). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 350
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Jefferson County
- Phone
- (205) 432-3300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bessemer City- District Enrollment
- 3,121
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,437
- District Rank
- #3 of 7
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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