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Bessemer City School District

Item: Bessemer City School District
Rating: 1
Author: Public School Review

1621 5th Ave N
Bessemer, AL 35020

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (205) 432-3000

www.bessk12.org

For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 3,012 students in Bessemer City School District. This district's average is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Alabama.

Public Schools in Bessemer City School District have an score of 7% (versus the Alabama public school average of 30%), and score of 20% (versus the 47% statewide average).

Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Alabama public school average of 50% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District

This State (AL)

# Schools

9 Schools

1,534 Schools

# Students

3,012 Students

751,099 Students

# Teachers

155 Teachers

43,229 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

19:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Bessemer City School District	Alabama
Pre-K	108	139
Kind	279	356
1	257	364
2	257	363
3	257	367
4	244	348
5	234	345
6	195	344
7	234	352
8	187	356
9	195	371
10	220	364
11	175	351
12	170	333

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District Rank

Bessemer City School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 145 school districts in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 71% has decreased from 77% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (AL)

#135 out of 145 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Bessemer City School District
2023	#135
2022	#138
2021	#127
2019	#127
2018	#121
2017	#126
2016	#127
2015	#130
2014	#130
2013	#120
2012	#120

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30%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Bessemer City School District	Alabama
2023	8%	30%
2022	5%	29%
2021	3%	24%
2019	21%	47%
2018	24%	47%
2017	20%	44%
2016	19%	43%
2015	14%	40%
2014	12%	38%
2013	69%	80%
2012	69%	82%

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20%

47%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Bessemer City School District	Alabama
2022	20%	47%
2021	19%	46%
2019	22%	45%
2018	24%	46%
2017	17%	39%
2016	16%	38%
2015	16%	41%
2014	17%	42%
2013	72%	86%
2012	75%	86%
2011	77%	85%

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12%

38%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Bessemer City School District	Alabama
2022	12%	38%
2021	13%	36%

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71%

88%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Bessemer City School District	Alabama
2023	71%	88%
2022	65%	88%
2021	67%	89%
2020	66%	90%
2019	78%	91%
2018	77%	89%
2017	73%	88%
2016	79%	87%
2015	72%	89%
2014	73%	86%
2013	48%	81%

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(2022-23)

40.8%

22.6%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Bessemer City School District	Alabama
2023	40.8%	22.6%
2022	44.1%	22.7%
2021	18.6%	11.3%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.40

0.64

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Bessemer City School District	Alabama
2023	0.36	0.62
2022	0.36	0.61
2021	0.32	0.61
2020	0.27	0.60
2019	0.27	0.60
2018	0.18	0.59
2017	0.18	0.59
2016	0.17	0.58
2015	0.16	0.58
2014	0.14	0.56
2013	0.14	0.55
2012	0.13	0.55
2011	0.13	0.54
2010	0.12	0.54
2009	0.12	0.53
2008	0.12	0.54
2007	0.10	0.53
2006	0.09	0.53
2005	0.08	0.51
2004	0.09	0.51
2003	0.07	0.51
2002	0.07	0.51
2001	0.09	0.50
2000	0.10	0.50
1999	0.12	0.50
1998	0.12	0.50
1997	0.15	0.52
1996	0.16	0.50
1995	0.18	0.49
1994	0.20	0.49
1993	0.23	0.49

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

n/a

% Hispanic

22%

12%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2003-2023)
Year	Bessemer City School District	Alabama
2023	17%	11%
2022	16%	10%
2021	14%	9%
2020	11%	8%
2019	11%	8%
2018	8%	7%
2017	8%	7%
2016	7%	7%
2015	6%	6%
2014	6%	5%
2013	5%	5%
2012	5%	5%
2011	4%	4%
2010	4%	4%
2009	4%	4%
2008	3%	4%
2007	3%	3%
2006	3%	3%
2005	2%	2%
2004	2%	2%
2003	1%	2%

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% Black

75%

31%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Bessemer City School District	Alabama
2023	78%	32%
2022	79%	32%
2021	81%	32%
2020	85%	33%
2019	85%	33%
2018	90%	33%
2017	90%	33%
2016	91%	33%
2015	92%	33%
2014	92%	34%
2013	93%	34%
2012	93%	34%
2011	93%	35%
2010	94%	35%
2009	94%	35%
2008	94%	36%
2007	95%	36%
2006	95%	36%
2005	96%	36%
2004	96%	36%
2003	96%	36%
2002	97%	36%
2001	96%	36%
2000	95%	36%
1999	94%	36%
1998	94%	36%
1997	92%	36%
1996	92%	36%
1995	90%	36%
1994	89%	36%
1993	87%	36%

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% White

50%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Bessemer City School District	Alabama
2023	2%	52%
2022	2%	53%
2021	2%	53%
2020	3%	54%
2019	3%	54%
2018	2%	55%
2017	2%	55%
2016	2%	56%
2015	2%	56%
2014	2%	57%
2013	2%	58%
2012	2%	58%
2011	3%	58%
2010	2%	58%
2009	2%	59%
2008	3%	58%
2007	2%	59%
2006	2%	59%
2005	2%	60%
2004	2%	60%
2003	3%	60%
2002	3%	60%
2001	4%	61%
2000	5%	61%
1999	6%	61%
1998	6%	61%
1997	8%	60%
1996	8%	61%
1995	10%	62%
1994	11%	62%
1993	13%	62%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2019-2023)
Year	Bessemer City School District	Alabama
2023	3%	3%
2022	3%	3%
2021	3%	3%
2020	1%	2%
2019	1%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $16,007 is higher than the state median of $12,875. The school district revenue/student has grown by 28% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $14,876 is higher than the state median of $12,097. The school district spending/student has grown by 23% over four school years.

This School District

This State (AL)

Total Revenue

$48 MM

$9,671 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Bessemer City School District	Alabama
2023	$48 MM	$36 MM
2022	$44 MM	$33 MM
2021	$48 MM	$36 MM
2020	$44 MM	$33 MM
2019	$44 MM	$34 MM
2018	$41 MM	$31 MM
2017	$44 MM	$31 MM
2016	$41 MM	$29 MM
2015	$41 MM	$30 MM
2014	$42 MM	$28 MM
2012	$41 MM	$28 MM
2011	$43 MM	$30 MM
2010	$41 MM	$30 MM
2009	$38 MM	$29 MM
2008	$43 MM	$32 MM
2007	$42 MM	$30 MM
2006	$37 MM	$28 MM
2005	$36 MM	$24 MM
2004	$31 MM	$23 MM
2003	$33 MM	$23 MM
2002	$31 MM	$22 MM
2001	$30 MM	$21 MM
2000	$42 MM	$21 MM
1999	$28 MM	$20 MM
1998	$25 MM	$19 MM
1997	$25 MM	$18 MM
1996	$23 MM	$15 MM
1995	$23 MM	$15 MM

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Spending

$45 MM

$9,086 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Bessemer City School District	Alabama
2023	$45 MM	$34 MM
2022	$42 MM	$32 MM
2021	$45 MM	$34 MM
2020	$42 MM	$32 MM
2019	$43 MM	$32 MM
2018	$41 MM	$31 MM
2017	$41 MM	$31 MM
2016	$42 MM	$30 MM
2015	$56 MM	$30 MM
2014	$44 MM	$29 MM
2012	$40 MM	$29 MM
2011	$43 MM	$29 MM
2010	$56 MM	$30 MM
2009	$68 MM	$31 MM
2008	$45 MM	$31 MM
2007	$41 MM	$29 MM
2006	$35 MM	$27 MM
2005	$31 MM	$24 MM
2004	$33 MM	$24 MM
2003	$32 MM	$23 MM
2002	$32 MM	$22 MM
2001	$30 MM	$22 MM
2000	$30 MM	$21 MM
1999	$31 MM	$20 MM
1998	$27 MM	$19 MM
1997	$26 MM	$18 MM
1996	$23 MM	$16 MM
1995	$23 MM	$15 MM

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Revenue / Student

$16,007

$12,875

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Bessemer City School District	Alabama
2023	$14,853	$13,484
2022	$12,443	$12,106
2020	$12,443	$12,106
2018	$11,434	$10,775
2017	$12,277	$10,752
2016	$11,040	$10,004
2015	$10,367	$10,181
2014	$10,624	$9,249
2012	$9,338	$9,447
2011	$9,593	$10,047
2010	$9,169	$10,181
2009	$8,810	$9,620
2008	$10,084	$12,838
2007	$10,087	$9,453
2006	$8,735	$8,864
2005	$8,624	$7,980
2004	$7,589	$7,481
2003	$7,680	$7,352
2002	$6,764	$7,090
2001	$6,579	$6,576
2000	$8,607	$6,614
1999	$5,827	$6,138
1998	$5,332	$5,727
1997	$4,749	$5,613
1995	$4,751	$4,603

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Spending / Student

$14,876

$12,097

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Bessemer City School District	Alabama
2023	$13,804	$12,858
2022	$12,001	$11,680
2020	$12,001	$11,680
2018	$11,421	$10,820
2017	$11,315	$10,751
2016	$11,238	$10,236
2015	$14,043	$10,301
2014	$10,995	$9,732
2012	$9,100	$9,486
2011	$9,551	$9,833
2010	$12,419	$10,301
2009	$15,769	$10,180
2008	$10,551	$12,600
2007	$9,921	$9,149
2006	$8,389	$8,744
2005	$7,600	$8,000
2004	$8,019	$7,723
2003	$7,502	$7,470
2002	$6,805	$7,151
2001	$6,418	$7,125
2000	$6,148	$6,573
1999	$6,364	$6,238
1998	$5,799	$5,843
1997	$4,941	$5,461
1995	$4,774	$4,722

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Best Bessemer City School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Westhills Elementary School

(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

710 Glenn Rd
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 432-3500

Gr: PK-5 | 277 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%

Rank: #22.

Abrams Elementary School

(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1200 23rd Street North
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3100

Gr: PK-5 | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 97%

Rank: #33.

Jonesboro Elementary School

(Math: 12% | Reading: 18%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

125 Owen Ave
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3400

Gr: PK-5 | 474 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%

Rank: #44.

Charles F Hard Elementary School

(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

2801 Arlington Ave
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3300

Gr: PK-5 | 364 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 99%

Rank: #55.

Greenwood Elementary School

(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 20-24%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

5012 Roselyn Road Southeast
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 432-3201

Gr: PK-5 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 96%

Rank: #66.

Bessemer City Middle School

(Math: 3% | Reading: 23%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

100 High School Drive
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3601

Gr: 6-8 | 616 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%

Rank: #77.

Bessemer City High School

(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

4950 Premiere Parkway
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 432-3700

Gr: 9-12 | 760 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%

Rank: n/an/a

Bessemer Center For Technology

Vocational School

Add to Compare

4940 Premiere Parkway
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 432-3805

Gr: 9-12

Rank: n/an/a

New Horizon Alternative School

Alternative School

Add to Compare

1701 6th Ave N
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3036

Gr: 7-12

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Bessemer City School District?

Bessemer City School District manages 9 public schools serving 3,012 students.

What is the rank of Bessemer City School District?

Bessemer City School District is ranked #134 out of 145 school districts in Alabama (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year.

What is the racial composition of students in Bessemer City School District?

75% of Bessemer City School District students are Black, 22% of students are Hispanic, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are White.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Bessemer City School District?

Bessemer City School District has a student/teacher ratio of 19:1, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 17:1.

What is Bessemer City School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $14,876 is higher than the state median of $12,097. The school district spending/student has grown by 23% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 9 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 3,012 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
Minority Enrollment: 98%
: 71% (Btm 50% in AL)
: Bottom 50%
: 8% (Btm 50%)
: 20% (Btm 50%)
: 12% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education