Bessemer City Middle School ranked #1177 in Alabama in 2023, reflecting a decline from #755 in 2011 and consistently placing in the bottom 50% statewide over recent years.
Math proficiency was 3% in 2023, significantly lower than the state average of 30%; reading proficiency was 23%, lower than the state average of 47%, and science proficiency was 16%, also lower than the state average of 38%.
Enrollment declined from 790 students in 2022 to 674 in 2023, while the percentage of students eligible for free lunch remained high at 85%, indicating sustained socioeconomic challenges.
The school serves grades 6–8 with an enrollment of 648 students and a student–teacher ratio of 21:1, maintaining a predominantly minority student body at 99% minority enrollment.
Bessemer City Middle School is Title I eligible and participates in the National School Lunch Program under the Community Eligibility Option, supporting a high proportion of economically disadvantaged students.
Quick Facts (2026-27)
- Grades: 6-8
- Enrollment: 616 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in AL
- Math Proficiency: 3% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 23% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 16% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: James A Davis Middle School's attendance zone encompasses the entire school district in Bessemer, AL, covering approximately 40.6 square miles. The typical drive to the school is around 10-12 minutes, with the average distance to the zone's edge being 3.7 miles and the furthest edge reaching 9.3 miles.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
School Overview
Bessemer City Middle School's student population of 616 students has declined by 21% over five school years.
The teacher population of 30 teachers has declined by 21% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
616 students
Total Classroom Teachers
30 teachers
School Rankings
Bessemer City Middle 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 Middle School is 0.41, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.64. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1177 out of 1275 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
3%
30%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
23%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
16%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
n/a
2%
Hispanic
22%
12%
Black
74%
31%
White
1%
50%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)51.8%
22.6%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
84%
53%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bessemer City Middle School's ranking?
Bessemer City Middle School is ranked #1177 out of 1,275 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Alabama.
What schools are Bessemer City Middle School often compared to?
Bessemer City Middle Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Greenwood Elementary School, Jonesboro Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
3% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 30% AL state average), while 23% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
How many students attend Bessemer City Middle School?
616 students attend Bessemer City Middle School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
74% of Bessemer City Middle School students are Black, 22% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Bessemer City Middle School?
Bessemer City Middle School has a student ration of 21:1, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Bessemer City Middle School offer ?
Bessemer City Middle School offers enrollment in grades 6-8 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Bessemer City Middle School part of?
Bessemer City Middle School is part of Bessemer City School District.
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