Bessemer Area School District

301 East Sellar St
Bessemer, MI 49911-1522
(District boundaries shown in map)
5/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

Bessemer Area School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Michigan for:

Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 2 public schools serving 352 students in Bessemer Area School District. This district's average testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Michigan.
Public Schools in Bessemer Area School District have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the Michigan public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Michigan public school average of 37% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (MI)
# Schools
2 Schools
3,509 Schools
# Students
352 Students
1,376,331 Students
# Teachers
29 Teachers
82,379 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Bessemer Area School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 846 school districts in Michigan (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 90% has increased from 80% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (MI)
#442 out of 862 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
20%
35%
45-49%
45%
35-39%
38%
(21-22)
≥90%
81%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.23
0.56
% American Indian
2%
1%
% Asian
n/a
4%
% Hispanic
2%
9%
% Black
1%
18%
% White
88%
63%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $14,327 in this school district is less than the state median of $18,510. The school district revenue/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,935 is less than the state median of $17,693. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
This School District
This State (MI)
Total Revenue
$5 MM
$25,476 MM
Spending
$6 MM
$24,351 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,327
$18,510
Spending / Student
$15,935
$17,693

Best Bessemer Area School District Public Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Washington School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
301 E Sellar St
Bessemer, MI 49911
(906) 663-4515
Gr: K-6 | 178 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #22.
Ad Johnston Jrsr High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
100 W Lead St
Bessemer, MI 49911
(906) 667-0413
Gr: 7-12 | 174 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Bessemer Area School District?
Bessemer Area School District manages 2 public schools serving 352 students.
What is the rank of Bessemer Area School District?
Bessemer Area School District is ranked #466 out of 846 school districts in Michigan (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Michigan school districts for: Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Bessemer Area School District?
88% of Bessemer Area School District students are White, 7% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are American Indian, 2% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Bessemer Area School District?
Bessemer Area School District has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the Michigan state average of 17:1.
What is Bessemer Area School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $15,935 is less than the state median of $17,693. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.

Recent Articles

Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.

Quick Facts (2025)

  • District size: 2 schools
  • Grades: KG-12
  • Enrollment: 352 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 12%
  • : ≥90% (Btm 50% in MI)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 20% (Btm 50%)
  • : 45-49% (Top 50%)
  • : 35-39% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MI Dept. of Education

Quick Links