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Average

#677 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 50% in state

Based on limited data

Empower Community School

Elementary School · Empower Community School

751A Academy Drive, Bessemer, AL 35020

Charter

Enrollment

302

Student-Teacher

27.5:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 7th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#677 of 1,356

In Bessemer

#4 of 12

public schools

Equity

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Empower Community School

6.5/10

Elementary School in Bessemer · grades Kindergarten – 7th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bessemer City High School

3.6/10

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

Bessemer City Middle School

3.3/10

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

About Empower Community School

Empower Community School is a public elementary school in Bessemer, AL, part of Empower Community School. Empower Community School serves approximately 302 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-7th, and has a 27.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Empower Community School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #677 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Empower Community School show 77% reading/ELA proficiency (2024 ACAP). Based on limited data: 50% component coverage.

How it compares0.9 pts below AL schools
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • AL avg 7.4

What Parents Should Know

Empower Community School runs 27.5:1 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.

Empower Community School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics9.6Excellent60%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Reading/ELA Proficiency77.1% (2024 ACAP)
Reading vs. State Avg-5.7 pts
Overall Proficiency77% (2024 ACAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2024 ACAP)
vs. Expected+41.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
Resources & Environment1.8Needs Improvement40%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27.5:1
Chronic Absenteeism11.9%

Empower Community School — Students at Empower Community School score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency N/A
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 77.1% (2024 ACAP)
School
State
86.9% (2024 ACAP)

Based on 2 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

How Empower Community School Compares

See how Empower Community School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
50th percentile in AL
Academic
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
1.8/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
28:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
11.9%

Location

751A Academy Drive, Bessemer, AL 35020

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Empower Community School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. McAdory Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Mc Calla), which scores slightly higher. Another option is McCalla Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 4.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Abrams Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 4.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bessemer, see our Bessemer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Bessemer City High School Bessemer 0.7 mi 3.6
Bessemer City Middle School Bessemer 0.9 mi 3.3
Westhills Elementary School Bessemer 1.5 mi 5.6
DUNNAMS PRIVATE SCHOOL Bessemer 1.6 mi
McAdory High School Mccalla 2.1 mi 4.3
McAdory Middle School Mccalla 2.3 mi 3.7
Jonesboro Elementary School Bessemer 2.5 mi 4.2
Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School Bessemer 3.4 mi
NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Bessemer 3.6 mi 4.5
McCalla Elementary School Bessemer 4.0 mi 6.8
THE CROSSING CHURCH Mc Calla 3.9 mi
Abrams Elementary School Bessemer 4.1 mi 6.7
Greenwood Elementary School Bessemer 4.1 mi 5.6
Charles F Hard Elementary School Bessemer 4.7 mi 6.3
Hueytown Middle School Hueytown 5.3 mi 3.4
Hueytown High School Hueytown 5.3 mi 3.0
Hueytown Intermediate School Hueytown 5.6 mi 6.3
Hueytown Primary School Hueytown 5.9 mi 6.1
McAdory Elementary School Mc Calla 5.8 mi 7.3
Brighton School Brighton 6.2 mi 5.6

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
COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mobile, AL 6.5
Tarrant Intermediate School Tarrant, AL 6.5
W E Striplin Elementary School Gadsden, AL 6.5
Academy For Academics Arts Elementary School Huntsville, AL 6.4
Central Elementary School Rockford, AL 6.6
Cherokee Elementary School Cherokee, AL 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Empower Community School

What grades does Empower Community School serve?

Empower Community School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 7th.

How many students attend Empower Community School?

Empower Community School has an enrollment of approximately 302 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Empower Community School?

The student-teacher ratio at Empower Community School is 27.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Empower Community School rank in AL?

Empower Community School ranks #677 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Empower Community School's MySchoolScout rating?

Empower Community School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Empower Community School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Empower Community School has 77% reading/ELA proficiency (2024 ACAP).

Is Empower Community School a charter school?

Yes, Empower Community School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Empower Community School a Title I school?

No, Empower Community School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Empower Community School?

83.4% of students at Empower Community 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
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 7th
Enrollment
302
Student-Teacher Ratio
27.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
83.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Jefferson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
11.9%

District

Empower Community School
District Enrollment
302
Schools in District
1
District Rank
#1 of 1

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