Average
#1088 of 1,356 schools in AL
Westhills Elementary School
Elementary School · Bessemer City
710 Glenn Rd, Bessemer, AL 35022
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bessemer
#8 of 12
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#685 of 696
In district
#5 of 7
Bessemer City
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Westhills Elementary School
Westhills Elementary School is a public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Bessemer, Alabama, part of Jefferson County. With an enrollment of 297 students and 17 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1, which allows for a reasonable level of individual attention in the classroom. Academically, Westhills has room for growth.
The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks in the 16th percentile among Alabama schools. Reading and ELA proficiency stands at 49%, while math proficiency is currently 17%, suggesting that math development is an area the school community is working to strengthen. Families considering Westhills may want to ask administrators about academic support programs and intervention strategies in place for students.
The surrounding 35022 ZIP code reflects a relatively stable suburban community, with a median household income of $79,084 and a median home value of $241,300. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%, and about 34% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, pointing to a community with meaningful educational engagement. Westhills Elementary sits within a large suburban setting outside Birmingham, offering families a neighborhood school environment with the broader resources and connections that come with being part of Jefferson County's school network.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Westhills Elementary School — Students at Westhills Elementary School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.7%
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: 5.1/10.
How Westhills Elementary School Compares
See how Westhills Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
710 Glenn Rd, Bessemer, AL 35022
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Westhills Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hueytown Primary School (rated 8.8/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Hueytown), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lipscomb Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Lipscomb), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Abrams Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bessemer, see our Bessemer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DUNNAMS PRIVATE SCHOOL Bessemer | 0.1 mi | — |
| Bessemer City Middle School Bessemer | 0.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Bessemer City High School Bessemer | 1.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Jonesboro Elementary School Bessemer | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Empower Community School Bessemer | 1.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School Bessemer | 1.9 mi | — |
| NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Bessemer | 2.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Abrams Elementary School Bessemer | 2.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Charles F Hard Elementary School Bessemer | 3.1 mi | 5.3 |
| McAdory High School Mccalla | 3.5 mi | 5.2 |
| McAdory Middle School Mccalla | 3.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Hueytown Middle School Hueytown | 4.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Hueytown Intermediate School Hueytown | 4.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Bessemer | 4.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Hueytown Primary School Hueytown | 4.7 mi | 8.8 |
| Brighton School Brighton | 4.8 mi | 6.3 |
| McCalla Elementary School Bessemer | 5.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Hueytown High School Hueytown | 4.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Lipscomb Elementary School Lipscomb | 4.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Rutledge School Midfield | 5.4 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35022 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,084
Median Home Value
$241,300
Median Rent
$991/mo
Population
23,989
College Educated
34%
Homeownership
80.8%
Avg Commute
30.3 min
Poverty Rate
10.5%
Median Age
43.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Westhills Elementary School has a median household income of $79,084. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $241,300, with a median rent of $991/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Concord Elementary School Bessemer, AL | 5.1 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Bessemer, AL | 5.1 |
| West Point Intermediate School Vinemont, AL | 5.2 |
| Meadowlake Elementary Mobile, AL | 4.9 |
| Charles F Hard Elementary School Bessemer, AL | 5.3 |
| Midfield Elementary School Midfield, AL | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Westhills Elementary School
What grades does Westhills Elementary School serve?
Westhills Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Westhills Elementary School?
Westhills Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 297 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Westhills Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Westhills Elementary School is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Westhills Elementary School rank in AL?
Westhills Elementary School is ranked #1088 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Westhills Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Westhills Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Westhills Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Westhills Elementary School has 17.3% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Westhills Elementary School a charter school?
No, Westhills Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Westhills Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Westhills Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Westhills Elementary School?
74.7% of students at Westhills 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
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 297
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Jefferson County
- Phone
- (205) 432-3500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bessemer City- District Enrollment
- 3,121
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,437
- District Rank
- #5 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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