Needs Improvement
#2501 of 2,648 schools in NC
Bessemer City High
High School · Gaston County Schools
119 Yellow Jacket Lane, Bessemer City, NC 28016
Enrollment
548
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
3.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
548
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
3.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,501 of 2,648
In Bessemer City
#5 of 5
public schools
In district
#51 of 56
Gaston County Schools
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Bessemer City High
High School in Bessemer City · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Bessemer City Primary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bessemer City Central Elem
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bessemer City High
Bessemer City High is a public high school in Bessemer City, NC, part of Gaston County Schools. Bessemer City High serves approximately 548 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Bessemer City High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,501 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Bessemer City High show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
43% of students at Bessemer City High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Bessemer City High — Students at Bessemer City High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 28 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: 4.2/10.
How Bessemer City High Compares
See how Bessemer City High 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
119 Yellow Jacket Lane, Bessemer City, NC 28016
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bessemer City High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Highland Sch of Technology (rated 9.3/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Gastonia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gaston Early College High School (rated 8.4/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Dallas), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences (rated 6.0/10, 5.3 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 6.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bessemer City Primary Bessemer City | 0.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Bessemer City Central Elem Bessemer City | 0.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Bessemer City Middle Bessemer City | 2.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Edward D Sadler Jr Elementary School Gastonia | 2.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Tryon Elementary Bessemer City | 3.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Costner Elementary Dallas | 3.7 mi | 5.2 |
| East Elementary Kings Mountain | 4.3 mi | 4.9 |
| North Elementary Kings Mountain | 4.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Gaston Virtual Academy Gastonia | 4.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Webb Street School Gastonia | 4.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary Gastonia | 5.4 mi | 6.9 |
| West Elementary Kings Mountain | 5.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Gaston Early College High School Dallas | 5.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Highland Sch of Technology Gastonia | 5.2 mi | 9.3 |
| Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences Dallas | 5.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Hunter Huss High Gastonia | 5.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Chapel Grove Elementary Gastonia | 6.5 mi | 4.1 |
| ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gastonia | 5.9 mi | 8.1 |
| York Chester Middle Gastonia | 5.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Southwest Middle Gastonia | 6.2 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 |
|---|---|
| Wallace-Rose Hill High Teachey, NC | 3.4 |
| J. F. Webb High Oxford, NC | 3.5 |
| Eastern Randolph High School Ramseur, NC | 3.2 |
| East Columbus Junior-Senior High Lake Waccamaw, NC | 3.6 |
| Carver High Winston-Salem, NC | 3.1 |
| Tarboro High Tarboro, NC | 3.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bessemer City High
What grades does Bessemer City High serve?
Bessemer City High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Bessemer City High?
Bessemer City High has an enrollment of approximately 548 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bessemer City High?
The student-teacher ratio at Bessemer City High is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bessemer City High rank in NC?
Bessemer City High ranks #2,501 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Bessemer City High's MySchoolScout rating?
Bessemer City High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bessemer City High has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Bessemer City High a charter school?
No, Bessemer City High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bessemer City High a Title I school?
No, Bessemer City High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bessemer City High?
99.5% of students at Bessemer City High 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 548
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Gaston County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.4%
- Phone
- (704) 836-9601
- 4-Year Graduation
- 77.0%
Resources & Links
District
Gaston County Schools- District Enrollment
- 30,253
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,190
- District Rank
- #51 of 56
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