Average
#773 of 1,356 schools in AL
Based on limited data
Empower Community School
Elementary School · Empower Community School
751A Academy Drive, Bessemer, AL 35020
Enrollment
302
Student-Teacher
27.5:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 7th
Enrollment
302
Student-Teacher
27.5:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 7th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bessemer
#4 of 12
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#598 of 696
Academic performance
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Empower Community School
Empower Community School is a charter school located in Bessemer, Alabama, in Jefferson County. Situated at 751A Academy Drive, the school serves kindergarten through seventh grade, making it an elementary school with a student body of 302 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 27.5:1 and 11 full-time equivalent teachers, Empower Community School aims to provide a supportive learning environment despite the challenges of having limited academic performance data.
The school currently ranks at #1235 out of 1360 schools in Alabama, highlighting areas where it can focus on improvement. Empower Community School is nestled in a large suburban area where the median household income is $31,257, and the median home value is $87,000. The neighborhood has a poverty rate of 34.9%, and only 10% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Despite these challenges, the community around Empower Community School is dedicated to supporting the educational needs of its students and fostering a nurturing environment for growth and development.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Empower Community School is 27.5:1, 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.
Empower Community School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Empower Community School — Students at Empower Community School score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
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.
Funding & Resources
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. Hueytown Primary School (rated 8.8/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Hueytown), which scores notably higher. Another option is McAdory Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Mc Calla), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Abrams Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 4.8 |
| Bessemer City Middle School Bessemer | 0.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Westhills Elementary School Bessemer | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| DUNNAMS PRIVATE SCHOOL Bessemer | 1.6 mi | — |
| McAdory High School Mccalla | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| McAdory Middle School Mccalla | 2.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Jonesboro Elementary School Bessemer | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| 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 | 6.2 |
| THE CROSSING CHURCH Mc Calla | 3.9 mi | — |
| Abrams Elementary School Bessemer | 4.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Bessemer | 4.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Charles F Hard Elementary School Bessemer | 4.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Hueytown Middle School Hueytown | 5.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Hueytown High School Hueytown | 5.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Hueytown Intermediate School Hueytown | 5.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Hueytown Primary School Hueytown | 5.9 mi | 8.8 |
| McAdory Elementary School Mc Calla | 5.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Brighton School Brighton | 6.2 mi | 6.3 |
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 Empower Community 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 |
|---|---|
| Blount Elementary School Montgomery, AL | 6.4 |
| Catoma Elementary School Montgomery, AL | 6.4 |
| Faine Elementary School Dothan, AL | 6.4 |
| Guin Elementary School Guin, AL | 6.4 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Madison, AL | 6.4 |
| Wares Ferry Elementary School Montgomery, 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 is ranked #773 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Empower Community School's MySchoolScout rating?
Empower Community School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Empower Community School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Empower Community School has 77.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (205) 413-8600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Empower Community School- District Enrollment
- 302
- Schools in District
- 1
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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
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.