Photo: Washuotaku · CC BY-SA 3.0Bessemer City’s public schools score below 55% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Bessemer City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Bessemer City’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 46% of tested students were proficient in reading and 49% in math, against 50% and 51% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,848 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 3 the district’s path is Bessemer City Central Elem, then Bessemer City Middle, then Bessemer City High. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Bessemer City’s grade
B−: better than 45% of North Carolina school districts, #178 of 290 North Carolina towns. Both inputs trail the North Carolina average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bessemer City, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Bessemer City
Bessemer City Primary
Grades PK–2 · 445 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Bessemer City
Bessemer City Primary
Grades PK–2 · 445 students · 14:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Bessemer City
Bessemer City Primary
Grades PK–2 · 445 students · 14:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Bessemer City
Bessemer City Primary
Grades PK–2 · 445 students · 14:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Bessemer City
Bessemer City Central Elem
Grades 3–5 · 392 students · 16:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Bessemer City
Bessemer City Central Elem
Grades 3–5 · 392 students · 16:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Bessemer City
Bessemer City Central Elem
Grades 3–5 · 392 students · 16:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Bessemer City
Bessemer City Middle
Grades 6–8 · 497 students · 17:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Bessemer City
Bessemer City Middle
Grades 6–8 · 497 students · 17:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Bessemer City
Bessemer City Middle
Grades 6–8 · 497 students · 17:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Bessemer City
Bessemer City High
Grades 9–12 · 590 students · 19:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Bessemer City
Bessemer City High
Grades 9–12 · 590 students · 19:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Bessemer City
Bessemer City High
Grades 9–12 · 590 students · 19:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Bessemer City
Bessemer City High
Grades 9–12 · 590 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Bessemer City’s public schools are run by Gaston County Schools, which also serves Belmont, Cherryville, Cramerton and Dallas and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Bessemer City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Bessemer City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Bessemer City | B− | Gaston County Schools |
| Gastonia | B− | Gaston County Schools |
Every school in Bessemer City
4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Bessemer City’s schools
Are Bessemer City’s schools good?
On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Bessemer City children attend score below 55% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #178 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 44%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Bessemer City in?
Gaston County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 30,995 students in 56 schools (2024–25).
Where do Bessemer City kids go to high school?
Bessemer City High, with 590 students; its own test results earn a C.
What is Bessemer City’s graduation rate?
85% of the class of 2023 in Gaston County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Bessemer City spend per student?
$11,848 in Gaston County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Bessemer City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bessemer City → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.