Public School Review - Established 2003

Bessemer City High School vs. Fairfield High Preparatory School

Should you attend Bessemer City High School or Fairfield High Preparatory School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.

School Overview

School
Bessemer City High School
4950 Premiere Parkway
Bessemer, AL 35022
: 
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Fairfield High Preparatory School
610 Valley Rd
Fairfield, AL 35064
: 
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Top Rankings
n/a

Fairfield High Preparatory School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:

Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Largest percent of students eligible for free lunch (Top 20%)
Overview
Bessemer City High School's state ranking declined from #1129 in 2014 to #1246 in 2023, placing it in the bottom 50% of Alabama public high schools.
Math proficiency remained low at 5% in 2023, significantly lower than the state average of 30%, while reading (6–9%) and science proficiency (6–9%) rates were also lower than the state averages.
Enrollment decreased from around 1,200 students in 2011 to 805 in 2023, with minority enrollment consistently high at 99% and 61% of students eligible for free lunch in recent years.
The school served grades 9–12 with an enrollment of 805 students and a student–teacher ratio of 24:1 in 2023.
Graduation rates stayed below the state average, reaching 71% in 2023 compared to the Alabama average of 88%.
Fairfield High Preparatory School ranked #1194 in Alabama in 2023, showing minor improvement from #1265 in 2021 but remaining in the bottom 50% statewide.
Math proficiency stood at 5% in 2023, lower than the state average of 30%, while reading proficiency was 17%, lower than the state average of 47%, and science proficiency was 7%, lower than the state average of 38%.
Enrollment declined from 782 students in 2022 to 510 in 2023, with a stable percentage of students eligible for free lunch at 77%, indicating a predominantly low–income student population.
The school served grades 9–12 with 480 students enrolled in 2023 and maintained a student–teacher ratio of 17:1.
Minority enrollment was 99%, with a majority of Black students at 453 out of 480 total, and the graduation rate ranged between 90–94%, exceeding the Alabama state average of 88% in recent years.
Grades Offered
9-12
9-12
Total Students
805 students
480 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Bessemer City High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Fairfield High Preparatory School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
% Male | % Female
51% | 49%
54% | 46%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Bessemer City High School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Fairfield High Preparatory School.
Total Classroom Teachers
34 teachers
28 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Bessemer City High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Fairfield High Preparatory School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1
17:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Bessemer City High School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Bessemer City School District and the state of Alabama, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Fairfield High Preparatory School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Fairfield City School District and the state of Alabama, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Test Scores

#1246 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Bottom 50%)
#1194 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Bottom 50%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Bessemer City High School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Fairfield High Preparatory School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
≤5%
(Bottom 50% in AL)
≤5%
(Bottom 50% in AL)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Bessemer City High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Bessemer City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Fairfield High Preparatory School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Fairfield City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
6-9%
(Bottom 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
17%
(Bottom 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Bessemer City High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Bessemer City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Fairfield High Preparatory School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Fairfield City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
6-9%
(Bottom 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
7%
(Bottom 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Bessemer City High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Bessemer City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Fairfield High Preparatory School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Fairfield City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
71%
(Bottom 50% in AL)
90-94%
(Top 30% in AL)
This chart presents a comparison of the graduation rate of Bessemer City High School with the average graduation rate observed in the Bessemer City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the graduation rate of Fairfield High Preparatory School with the average graduation rate observed in the Fairfield City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Bessemer City High School by grade.
This chart displays the students of Fairfield High Preparatory School by grade.
Grade 9 Students
231
125
Grade 10 Students
202
119
Grade 11 Students
179
122
Grade 12 Students
193
114

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
n/a
% Hispanic
19%
4%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Bessemer City High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Bessemer City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Fairfield High Preparatory School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Fairfield City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Black
79%
94%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Bessemer City High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Bessemer City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Fairfield High Preparatory School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Fairfield City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% White
1%
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Bessemer City High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Bessemer City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Fairfield High Preparatory School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Fairfield City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
1%
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Bessemer City High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Bessemer City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
n/a
0.34
0.12
This chart showcases the diversity score of Bessemer City High School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Bessemer City School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of Fairfield High Preparatory School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Fairfield City School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
61%
77%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Bessemer City High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Bessemer City School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Fairfield High Preparatory School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Fairfield City School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
(14-15 School Year Data)
5%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Bessemer City High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Bessemer City School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2014-15 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Fairfield High Preparatory School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Fairfield City School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
 
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