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#136 of 206 private schools in AL

Harvest Christian School

School

7303 TAYLORS FERRY RD, Bessemer, AL 35023

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 12 schools in Bessemer. Learn more

Enrollment

42

Student-Teacher

9.3:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Bessemer

#1 of 2

public schools

Alabama schools

#72 of 124

About Harvest Christian School

Harvest Christian School serves 42 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Bessemer, Alabama, offering an intimate educational environment with a remarkable 9.3:1 student-teacher ratio. With just 4 full-time equivalent teachers, this small school provides highly personalized attention that allows educators to know each student well and tailor instruction to individual needs. The school has earned strong recognition, receiving a 9.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 87th out of 206 schools statewide, placing it in the 58th percentile among Alabama schools.

This performance reflects the benefits of the school's close-knit learning community where students receive focused academic support. Located on Taylors Ferry Road, Harvest Christian School draws families from the surrounding area, where the median household income is $67,141 and median home values average $143,000. The local community of 25,335 residents includes 20% with bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10.8%.

The school's small size creates opportunities for students to participate in multiple activities and develop leadership skills across grade levels. Harvest Christian School operates in Alabama's rural landscape near Bessemer, providing students with a peaceful learning environment away from urban distractions while maintaining access to broader community resources.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 42 students, Harvest Christian School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.3:1, Harvest Christian School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Harvest Christian School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Harvest Christian School compares to 13 public schools serving similar grades in Bessemer, AL

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.3:1
This School
vs
20.5:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
42
This School
vs
467
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.9
This School
vs
5.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 95.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.4% vs 0%
Asian 2.4% vs 0%
Harvest Christian School Bessemer Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Harvest Christian School (this school) 5.9
Concord Elementary School 5.1
Oak Grove High School 3.8
Oak Grove Elementary School 7.8
Abrams Elementary School 7.4
Bessemer City High School 4.8
Westhills Elementary School 5.1
Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School
Charles F Hard Elementary School 5.3
Bessemer City Middle School 4.4
Empower Community School 6.4
Jonesboro Elementary School 7.0
Greenwood Elementary School 5.1
McCalla Elementary School 6.2

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in AL.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 7.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.2 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,296
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 4.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 9%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 3.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 42
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in AL

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 95.2%
Hispanic 2.4%
Asian 2.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

7303 TAYLORS FERRY RD, Bessemer, AL 35023

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Harvest Christian School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Hueytown Primary School (rated 8.8/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Hueytown), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oak Grove Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Abrams Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 8.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bessemer, see our Bessemer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Concord Elementary School Bessemer 1.1 mi 5.1
Oak Grove High School Bessemer 4.5 mi 3.8
Hueytown High School Hueytown 4.9 mi 4.6
Oak Grove Elementary School Bessemer 4.7 mi 7.8
Pleasant Grove High School Pleasant Grove 5.1 mi 5.0
Hueytown Primary School Hueytown 6.1 mi 8.8
Hueytown Intermediate School Hueytown 6.4 mi 6.8
Hueytown Middle School Hueytown 6.7 mi 5.6
Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School Pleasant Grove 6.5 mi 6.4
Pleasant Grove Elementary School Pleasant Grove 6.5 mi 6.3
Brighton School Brighton 8.1 mi 6.3
Bessemer City High School Bessemer 9.5 mi 4.8
Abrams Elementary School Bessemer 8.9 mi 7.4
Rutledge School Midfield 8.7 mi 4.8
DUNNAMS PRIVATE SCHOOL Bessemer 9.6 mi
NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Bessemer 9.3 mi 4.5
Westhills Elementary School Bessemer 9.7 mi 5.1
Empower Community School Bessemer 10.2 mi 6.4
Bessemer City Middle School Bessemer 10.1 mi 4.4
Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School Bessemer 9.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35023 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,288

Median Home Value

$153,400

Median Rent

$1,216/mo

Population

25,221

College Educated

19.2%

Homeownership

80.6%

Avg Commute

29.5 min

Poverty Rate

14.1%

Median Age

38.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Harvest Christian School has a median household income of $69,288. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,400, with a median rent of $1,216/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
CALVARY BAPTIST ACADEMY Huntsville, AL 6.0
KNOLLWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sylacauga, AL 5.8
NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Troy, AL 5.8
BIG COVE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Owens Cross Roads, AL 6.1
NEW DAY ACADEMY Dothan, AL 5.5
HOLY COMFORTER EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Gadsden, AL 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harvest Christian School

What grades does Harvest Christian School serve?

Harvest Christian School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Harvest Christian School?

Harvest Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 42 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Harvest Christian School?

The student-teacher ratio at Harvest Christian School is 9.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Harvest Christian School rank in AL?

Harvest Christian School is ranked #136 out of 206 private schools in AL.

What is Harvest Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?

Harvest Christian School has a composite rating of 5.9 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.

Is Harvest Christian School a private school?

Yes, Harvest Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Baptist affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Harvest Christian School a religious school?

Harvest Christian School has a Baptist religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (8,900/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bessemer). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
42
Gender Split
57% M / 43% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Baptist
School Day
7.2 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
JEFFERSON
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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