Bessemer City High School is a four-year public high school in Bessemer, Alabama. It is the only high school in the Bessemer City School System. School colors are purple and white, and the athletic teams are called the Tigers. BCHS competes in AHSAA Class 6A athletics.
Serving 805 students in grades 9-12, Bessemer City High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Alabama for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤5% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 30%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 6-9% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 24:1 is higher than the Alabama state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Alabama state average of 49% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 805 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Graduation Rate: 71% (Btm 50% in AL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 6-9% (Btm 50%)
- Science 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 805 students has declined by 18% over five school years.
The teacher population of 34 teachers has declined by 22% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
805 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
34 teachers
Year Founded
1970
Colors
White, Purple
School Calendar
School Rankings
Bessemer City High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,275 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Bessemer City High School is 0.34, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1246 out of 1275 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
30%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
6-9%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
6-9%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
n/a
1%
Hispanic
19%
11%
Black
79%
32%
White
1%
51%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
1%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
71%
88%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
61%
56%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (14-15)
4%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bessemer City High School's ranking?
Bessemer City High School is ranked #1246 out of 1,275 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Alabama.
What schools are Bessemer City High School often compared to?
Bessemer City High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Fairfield High Preparatory School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤5% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 30% AL state average), while 6-9% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Bessemer City High School?
The graduation rate of Bessemer City High School is 71%, which is lower than the Alabama state average of 88%.
How many students attend Bessemer City High School?
805 students attend Bessemer City High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
79% of Bessemer City High School students are Black, 19% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are White, and 1% 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 24:1, 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 (No virtual instruction).
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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