Bessemer City High School serves 816 students in grades 9-12.
Bessemer City High School placed in the bottom 50% of all schools in Alabama for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%) for the 2020-21 school year.
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤5% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 24%) for the 2020-21 school year. The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 6-9% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 46%) for the 2020-21 school year.
The student:teacher ratio of 22:1 is higher than the Alabama state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Alabama state average of 47% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2023)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 816 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 22:1
- Minority Enrollment: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 66% (Btm 50% in AL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 6-9% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
School Overview
Bessemer City High School's student population of 816 students has declined by 17% over five school years.
The teacher population of 37 teachers has declined by 7% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
816 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
37 teachers
Students by Grade
School Calendar
School Rankings
Bessemer City High School is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 1,276 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2020-21 school year.
The diversity score of Bessemer City High School is 0.30, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.61. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1197 out of 1276 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
24%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
6-9%
46%
Student : Teacher Ratio
22:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
n/a
2%
Hispanic
12%
9%
Black
83%
32%
White
3%
53%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
66%
90%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
61%
48%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (14-15)
4%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: 2020-2021 (latest school year available) National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bessemer City High School's ranking?
Bessemer City High School is ranked #1197 out of 1,276 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Alabama.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤5% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 24% AL state average), while 6-9% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 46% AL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Bessemer City High School?
The graduation rate of Bessemer City High School is 66%, which is lower than the Alabama state average of 90%.
How many students attend Bessemer City High School?
816 students attend Bessemer City High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
83% of Bessemer City High School students are Black, 12% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are White, and 2% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Bessemer City High School?
Bessemer City High School has a student ration of 22:1, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Bessemer City High School offer ?
Bessemer City High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Bessemer City High School part of?
Bessemer City High School is part of Bessemer City School District.
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