Average
#1997 of 2,648 schools in NC
Bessemer City Central Elem
Elementary School · Gaston County Schools
1400 Puett's Chapel Road, Bessemer City, NC 28016
Enrollment
355
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
5.3
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
355
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
5.3
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bessemer City
#3 of 5
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,273 of 1,474
In district
#36 of 56
Gaston County Schools
About Bessemer City Central Elem
Bessemer City Central Elem is a regular public elementary school located in Bessemer City, North Carolina. Serving students from third to fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 355 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Bessemer City Central Elem shows room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout Rating of 2.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2392 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina.
In terms of proficiency rates, 24% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 27% meet the same criteria in Math. Despite these challenges, Bessemer City Central Elem is nestled in a mid-size suburb where teachers and staff work diligently to support student development. The school's setting offers a close-knit community environment that fosters a sense of belonging among students and families.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Bessemer City Central Elem 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Bessemer City Central Elem — Students at Bessemer City Central Elem score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC 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: 6.6/10.
How Bessemer City Central Elem Compares
See how Bessemer City Central Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 15% (2019) to 31.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 20% (2019) to 24.4% (2025).
Location
1400 Puett's Chapel Road, Bessemer City, NC 28016
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bessemer City Central Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Kings Mountain), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Kings Mountain), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Gastonia), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bessemer City, see our Bessemer City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bessemer City Primary Bessemer City | 0.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Bessemer City High Bessemer City | 0.4 mi | 3.1 |
| Bessemer City Middle Bessemer City | 2.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Edward D Sadler Jr Elementary School Gastonia | 3.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Costner Elementary Dallas | 3.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Tryon Elementary Bessemer City | 3.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Gaston Virtual Academy Gastonia | 4.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Webb Street School Gastonia | 4.4 mi | 6.5 |
| East Elementary Kings Mountain | 4.7 mi | 8.5 |
| North Elementary Kings Mountain | 4.8 mi | 9.1 |
| Gaston Early College High School Dallas | 4.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary Gastonia | 5.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences Dallas | 4.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Highland Sch of Technology Gastonia | 5.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Hunter Huss High Gastonia | 5.7 mi | 3.1 |
| Carr Elementary Dallas | 5.2 mi | 6.8 |
| York Chester Middle Gastonia | 5.6 mi | 5.6 |
| ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gastonia | 5.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia | 5.5 mi | 1.9 |
| Southwest Middle Gastonia | 6.1 mi | 3.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28016 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,058
Median Home Value
$187,600
Median Rent
$880/mo
Population
12,882
College Educated
12.1%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
25.9 min
Poverty Rate
12.2%
Median Age
46.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bessemer City Central Elem has a median household income of $52,058. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $187,600, with a median rent of $880/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.2%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Atkinson Elementary Hendersonville, NC | 5.3 |
| C B Eller Elementary School Elkin, NC | 5.3 |
| Charles W McCrary Elementary Asheboro, NC | 5.3 |
| GE Massey Elementary Lincolnton, NC | 5.3 |
| John J Blair Elementary Wilmington, NC | 5.3 |
| Plain View Elementary Dunn, NC | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bessemer City Central Elem
What grades does Bessemer City Central Elem serve?
Bessemer City Central Elem serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.
How many students attend Bessemer City Central Elem?
Bessemer City Central Elem has an enrollment of approximately 355 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bessemer City Central Elem?
The student-teacher ratio at Bessemer City Central Elem is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bessemer City Central Elem rank in NC?
Bessemer City Central Elem is ranked #1997 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Bessemer City Central Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Bessemer City Central Elem 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 Bessemer City Central Elem?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bessemer City Central Elem has 26.8% math proficiency and 24.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bessemer City Central Elem a charter school?
No, Bessemer City Central Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bessemer City Central Elem a Title I school?
No, Bessemer City Central Elem is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bessemer City Central Elem?
99.2% of students at Bessemer City Central Elem qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,953/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bessemer City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 355
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Gaston County
- Phone
- (704) 836-9108
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Gaston County Schools- District Enrollment
- 30,253
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,190
- District Rank
- #36 of 56
Other Schools in This District
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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