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Schools in Bethlehem · Alexander County Schools

Bethlehem’s public schools outscore 57% of North Carolina districts

Math proficiency in Bethlehem’s districts is 58%, above the North Carolina average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Bethlehem, 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.

#119of 290 North Carolina townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
52%
▲ 2 pts vs NC 50%
2021–22
Math proficiency
58%
▲ 7 pts vs NC 51%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85%
▼ 2 pts vs NC 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.7K
▲ 5% vs NC $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.6
NC 16.0 · larger classes
Schools in town
1
2,838 students on the public path
In brief

Bethlehem’s schools, in brief

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 52% and math 58% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,661 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then two middle and two high schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Bethlehem’s grade

B Test scoresC+ Graduation

B: better than 57% of North Carolina school districts, #119 of 290 North Carolina towns. Test scores are above the North Carolina average; graduation is below it.

North Carolina school districts we grade (325)Better than 57%
Lower resultsHigher results
North Carolina towns with similar household incomes (234)Better than 54%
B−B+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,323 test results and a graduating class of 420 could put Bethlehem anywhere from B− to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Bethlehem’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,234 in math, 2,412 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bethlehem, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Bethlehem ElementaryAlexander County SchoolsB+
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressB to B+
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressA− to A+

Bethlehem’s public schools are run by Alexander County Schools, which also serves Taylorsville. 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.

Alexander County SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 11 schools · 4,344 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 16.6 per teacher (NC 16.0)
$13,661NC $13,045 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading52%
State average 49.9% · 2412 students tested
Math58%
State average 50.8% · 2234 students tested

Bethlehem vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Bethlehem’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BethlehemBAlexander County Schools

Every school in Bethlehem

5 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).

District schools in Bethlehemby address
Bethlehem Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Taylorsville
B+
435 students17:1Rate it →
Also serving Bethlehemin other towns
East Alexander Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Hiddenite
B
510 students16:1Rate it →
West Alexander Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Taylorsville
B+
467 students16:1Rate it →
Alexander Central High
High · Grades 9–12 · Taylorsville
A−
1,254 students16:1Rate it →
Alexander Early College
High · Grades 9–12 · Taylorsville
A+
172 students29:1Rate it →

Questions about Bethlehem’s schools

Are Bethlehem’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of North Carolina: the public schools Bethlehem children attend outscore 57% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #119 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 54%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Bethlehem in?

Alexander County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,344 students in 11 schools (2024–25).

Where do Bethlehem kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Alexander Central High and Alexander Early College.

What is Bethlehem’s graduation rate?

85% of the class of 2023 in Alexander County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.

How much does Bethlehem spend per student?

$13,661 in Alexander County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Bethlehem families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bethlehem → 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.