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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Bessemer Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 9,730 students in Bessemer, AL (there are 12 private schools, serving 1,243 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in Bessemer, AL are educated in public schools (compared to the AL state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Bessemer, AL are Oak Grove Elementary School, Lipscomb Elementary School and Concord Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Bessemer, AL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 14% (versus the Alabama public school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 31% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Bessemer have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Alabama public schools.
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Alabama public school average of 50% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Bessemer, AL (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Oak Grove Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
9000 Tiger Cub Trail
Bessemer, AL 35023
(205) 379-2450
Gr: PK-5 | 576 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Lipscomb Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5605 10th St S
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 379-4550
Gr: PK-5 | 221 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #33.
Concord Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1886 Learning Lane
Bessemer, AL 35023
(205) 379-3150
Gr: K-5 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #44.
Mccalla Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2020 Mccalla School Road
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 379-3750
Gr: PK-5 | 752 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #55.
Hueytown Intermediate School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1950 Intermediate School Road
Bessemer, AL 35023
(205) 379-4100
Gr: K-5 | 527 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #66.
Oak Grove High School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
9494 Oak Grove Pkwy
Bessemer, AL 35023
(205) 379-5000
Gr: 6-12 | 777 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #77.
Hueytown Primary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1921 Primary School Drive
Bessemer, AL 35023
(205) 379-4950
Gr: PK-2 | 601 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #88.
Brighton School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3400 Brown Cir
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 379-2650
Gr: PK-5 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #99.
Westhills Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
710 Glenn Rd
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 432-3500
Gr: PK-5 | 277 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1010.
Hueytown Middle School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
701 Sunrise Blvd
Bessemer, AL 35023
(205) 379-5150
Gr: 6-8 | 755 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #1111.
Abrams Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1200 23rd Street North
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3100
Gr: PK-5 | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1212.
Jonesboro Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
125 Owen Ave
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3400
Gr: PK-5 | 474 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1313.
Charles F Hard Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2801 Arlington Ave
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3300
Gr: PK-5 | 364 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1414.
Greenwood Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
5012 Roselyn Road Southeast
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 432-3201
Gr: PK-5 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1515.
Bessemer City Middle School
(Math: 3% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
100 High School Drive
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3601
Gr: 6-8 | 616 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1616.
Hueytown High School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4881 15th Street Road
Bessemer, AL 35023
(205) 379-4150
Gr: 9-12 | 1,200 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1717.
Bessemer City High School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4950 Premiere Parkway
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 432-3700
Gr: 9-12 | 760 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
Alabama Aerospace And Aviation High School
Charter School
114 2nd Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 538-0702
Gr: 9-12 | 161 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: n/an/a
Bessemer Center For Technology
Vocational School
4940 Premiere Parkway
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 432-3805
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Empower Community School Upper Campus
Charter School
751a Academy Drive
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 413-8600
Gr: 4-8 | 211 students Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
Empower Community Schoollower School
Charter School
2410 7th Ave North
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 413-8600
Gr: K-4 | 201 students Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
New Horizon Alternative School
Alternative School
1701 6th Ave N
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 432-3036
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
W E Donaldson
Special Education School
100 Warrior Ln
Bessemer, AL 35023
(205) 436-3681

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Bessemer, AL?
The top-ranked public schools in Bessemer, AL include Oak Grove Elementary School, Lipscomb Elementary School and Concord Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Bessemer?
23 public schools are located in Bessemer.
What percentage of students in Bessemer go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Bessemer are educated in public schools (compared to the AL state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Bessemer?
Bessemer public schools minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Alabama public schools average of 50% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Bessemer are often viewed compared to one another?

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