Needs Improvement
#2485 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
3.5
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
355
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
3.5
Grades
3rd – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,485 of 2,648
In Bessemer City
#4 of 5
public schools
In district
#49 of 56
Gaston County Schools
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Bessemer City Central Elem
Elementary School in Bessemer City · grades 3rd – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Bessemer City Primary
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bessemer City High
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bessemer City Central Elem
Bessemer City Central Elem is a public elementary school in Bessemer City, NC, part of Gaston County Schools. Bessemer City Central Elem serves approximately 355 students, and covers grades 3rd-5th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Bessemer City Central Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,485 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Bessemer City Central Elem show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.8
- NC avg 6.4
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bessemer City Central Elem — Students at Bessemer City Central Elem score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.1/10.
How Bessemer City Central Elem Compares
See how Bessemer City Central Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Gastonia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pleasant Ridge Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Gastonia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Carr Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Dallas), 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 | 5.8 |
| Bessemer City High Bessemer City | 0.4 mi | 3.4 |
| Bessemer City Middle Bessemer City | 2.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Edward D Sadler Jr Elementary School Gastonia | 3.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Costner Elementary Dallas | 3.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Tryon Elementary Bessemer City | 3.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Gaston Virtual Academy Gastonia | 4.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Webb Street School Gastonia | 4.4 mi | 5.0 |
| East Elementary Kings Mountain | 4.7 mi | 4.9 |
| North Elementary Kings Mountain | 4.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Gaston Early College High School Dallas | 4.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary Gastonia | 5.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences Dallas | 4.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Highland Sch of Technology Gastonia | 5.0 mi | 9.3 |
| Hunter Huss High Gastonia | 5.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Carr Elementary Dallas | 5.2 mi | 6.8 |
| York Chester Middle Gastonia | 5.6 mi | 5.3 |
| ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gastonia | 5.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia | 5.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Southwest Middle Gastonia | 6.1 mi | 4.3 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Fairgrove Elementary School Fairmont, NC | 3.5 |
| Lingerfeldt Elementary Gastonia, NC | 3.5 |
| Pleasant Grove Elementary Burlington, NC | 3.5 |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Whittier, NC | 3.5 |
| B. Everett Jordan Elementary Graham, NC | 3.4 |
| Blue Ridge Elementary Burnsville, NC | 3.4 |
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 ranks #2,485 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Bessemer City Central Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Bessemer City Central Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Bessemer City Central Elem?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bessemer City Central Elem has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 29.9%
- Phone
- (704) 836-9108
Resources & Links
District
Gaston County Schools- District Enrollment
- 30,253
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,190
- District Rank
- #49 of 56
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