Below Average
#2164 of 2,648 schools in NC
Bessemer City Middle
Middle School · Gaston County Schools
525 Ed Wilson Road, Bessemer City, NC 28016
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,164 of 2,648
In Bessemer City
#3 of 5
public schools
In district
#37 of 56
Gaston County Schools
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Bessemer City Middle
Middle School in Bessemer City · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Bessemer City High
2.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bessemer City Primary
2.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bessemer City Middle
Bessemer City Middle is a public middle school in Bessemer City, NC, part of Gaston County Schools. Bessemer City Middle serves approximately 502 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Bessemer City Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,164 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Bessemer City Middle show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- District avg 5.4
- NC avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Bessemer City Middle sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
37% of students at Bessemer City Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bessemer City Middle — Students at Bessemer City Middle score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.2%
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: 6.7/10.
How Bessemer City Middle Compares
See how Bessemer City Middle 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
525 Ed Wilson Road, Bessemer City, NC 28016
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bessemer City Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Kings Mountain Middle (rated 6.1/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Kings Mountain), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kings Mountain Intermediate (rated 6.1/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Kings Mountain), which scores notably higher. Additionally, York Chester Middle (rated 5.3/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Gastonia), which scores slightly 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 High Bessemer City | 2.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Bessemer City Primary Bessemer City | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Bessemer City Central Elem Bessemer City | 2.4 mi | 3.5 |
| East Elementary Kings Mountain | 2.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Edward D Sadler Jr Elementary School Gastonia | 2.5 mi | 5.6 |
| North Elementary Kings Mountain | 2.6 mi | 5.9 |
| West Elementary Kings Mountain | 3.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Tryon Elementary Bessemer City | 4.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Gaston Virtual Academy Gastonia | 4.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Kings Mountain High Kings Mountain | 4.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Chapel Grove Elementary Gastonia | 5.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Kings Mountain Middle Kings Mountain | 5.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Webb Street School Gastonia | 5.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Kings Mountain Intermediate Kings Mountain | 5.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Costner Elementary Dallas | 5.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary Gastonia | 5.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Hunter Huss High Gastonia | 5.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Southwest Middle Gastonia | 5.9 mi | 4.3 |
| ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gastonia | 6.0 mi | 8.1 |
| York Chester Middle Gastonia | 6.2 mi | 5.3 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Brogden Middle Durham, NC | 4.6 |
| Butner-Stem Middle Butner, NC | 4.6 |
| Durant Road Middle Raleigh, NC | 4.6 |
| E Lawson Brown Middle Thomasville, NC | 4.6 |
| East Union Middle Marshville, NC | 4.6 |
| Erwin Middle Asheville, NC | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bessemer City Middle
What grades does Bessemer City Middle serve?
Bessemer City Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Bessemer City Middle?
Bessemer City Middle has an enrollment of approximately 502 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bessemer City Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Bessemer City Middle is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bessemer City Middle rank in NC?
Bessemer City Middle ranks #2,164 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Bessemer City Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Bessemer City Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bessemer City Middle has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Bessemer City Middle a charter school?
No, Bessemer City Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bessemer City Middle a Title I school?
No, Bessemer City Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bessemer City Middle?
97.2% of students at Bessemer City Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 502
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Gaston County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.9%
- Phone
- (704) 836-9602
Resources & Links
District
Gaston County Schools- District Enrollment
- 30,253
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,190
- District Rank
- #37 of 56
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