Bessemer City Central Elementary

Summary:

Bessemer City Central Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades 3-5 in Bessemer City, North Carolina, with a student population of 407 as of the 2022-2023 school year. The school is part of the Gaston County Schools district, which is ranked 158 out of 242 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Bessemer City Central Elementary has a more diverse student population compared to some nearby schools, with 47.67% White, 25.06% African American, 19.66% Hispanic, and 7.37% two or more races. However, the school consistently underperforms academically, with significantly lower proficiency rates in mathematics, reading, and science compared to the district and state averages. Bessemer City Central Elementary has ranked in the bottom 10-15% of North Carolina elementary schools based on the SchoolDigger ranking system, and struggles to support the academic achievement of various student subgroups.

The school serves a predominantly low-income student population, with an extremely high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 98.83% to 99.26% over the past three school years. Despite being located near several other elementary schools, including Bessemer City Primary, Tryon Elementary, and Edward D. Sadler Junior Elementary School, these nearby schools also struggle academically, with most ranking in the bottom 20-30% of North Carolina elementary schools. However, Bessemer City Central Elementary's Gifted and Talented program is a bright spot, with the school ranking in the top 20% of North Carolina elementary schools for its Gifted and Talented student performance.


Detail:

Public 3-5

 1400 Puett's Chapel Road
       Bessemer City, NC  28016


(704) 836-9108

District: Gaston County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
1443rd of 1,505 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,603 Help


Students who attend Bessemer City Central Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Bessemer City Middle
High:    Bessemer City High

Student/teacher ratio:  16.2 Help
Number of students:  407

Racial breakdown:

White:
47.7%
African American:
25.1%
Hispanic:
19.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99.3% Help


 See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

 Compare Bessemer City Central Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Bessemer City Central Elementary ranks worse than 95.9% of elementary schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 22nd among 26 ranked elementary schools in the Gaston County Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 8.13. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Student population at Bessemer City Central Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (47.7%), African American (25.1%), Hispanic (19.7%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 99.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Bessemer City Central Elementary is 16.2. 19 elementary schools in the Gaston County Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Bessemer City Central Elementary employs 25 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Bessemer City Central Elementary is $8,603. 24 elementary schools in the Gaston County Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Bessemer City Central Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Bessemer City Central Elementary 1443rd of 1505 North Carolina public elementary schools. (See Bessemer City Central Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Gaston County Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Gaston County Schools 158th of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Bessemer City Central Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Bessemer City Central Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 35.96 925th 1276 27.5%
2007 18.21 1152nd 1293 10.9%
2008 21.13 1121st 1324 15.3%
2009 23.42 1116th 1354 17.6%
2010 21.88 1154th 1363 15.3%
2011 19.06 1215th 1381 12.0%
2012 22.49 1186th 1388 14.6%
2013 14.59 1271st 1403 9.4%
2014 15.00 1233rd 1390 11.3%
2015 14.28 1285th 1440 10.8%
2016 5.90 1381st 1425 3.1%
2017 8.09 1349th 1429 5.6%
2018 11.92 1315th 1434 8.3%
2019 9.41 1389th 1473 5.7%
2021 17.83 1246th 1489 16.3%
2022 17.42 1328th 1514 12.3%
2023 10.08 1418th 1502 5.6%
2024 8.13 1443rd 1505 4.1%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Bessemer City Central Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 21.41 113th 133 15.0%
2024 12.66 150th 159 5.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Bessemer City Central Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 36.17 338th 497 32.0%
2021 39.74 211th 385 45.2%
2022 20.69 445th 485 8.2%
2023 20.51 464th 514 9.7%
2024 24.35 465th 533 12.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Bessemer City Central Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 12.79 792nd 801 1.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Bessemer City Central Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.59 1173rd 1332 11.9%
2019 10.48 1315th 1361 3.4%
2021 25.09 1047th 1329 21.2%
2022 24.68 1143rd 1366 16.3%
2023 15.99 1327th 1437 7.7%
2024 11.70 1386th 1450 4.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Bessemer City Central Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 21.82 1191st 1405 15.2%
2019 13.22 1317th 1424 7.5%
2021 18.89 1216th 1440 15.6%
2022 20.04 1253rd 1458 14.1%
2023 9.77 1386th 1459 5.0%
2024 7.54 1419th 1455 2.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Bessemer City Central Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 16.31 864th 897 3.7%
2019 10.41 875th 878 0.3%
2022 15.18 626th 634 1.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Bessemer City Central Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 67.99 102nd 582 82.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Bessemer City Central Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 8.10 1361st 1413 3.7%
2019 8.07 1377th 1430 3.7%
2021 18.15 1214th 1444 15.9%
2022 16.82 1297th 1464 11.4%
2023 12.54 1356th 1461 7.2%
2024 11.23 1381st 1464 5.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Bessemer City Central Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 21.89 803rd 927 13.4%
2019 26.81 774th 949 18.4%
2021 23.38 766th 896 14.5%
2022 13.66 890th 927 4.0%
2023 11.68 906th 933 2.9%
2024 11.23 896th 924 3.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Bessemer City Central Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.83 770th 851 9.5%
2019 18.98 795th 865 8.1%
2021 30.10 637th 843 24.4%
2022 35.46 615th 893 31.1%
2023 22.63 787th 915 14.0%
2024 21.33 845th 951 11.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Bessemer City Central Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 5.42 1163rd 1178 1.3%
2019 2.76 1174th 1183 0.8%
2021 8.61 1149th 1172 2.0%
2022 12.73 1126th 1194 5.7%
2023 4.38 1165th 1183 1.5%
2024 2.47 1158th 1166 0.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Bessemer City Central Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for Bessemer City Central Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 436 83 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 519
1989 414 85 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 500
1990 421 93 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 514
1991 390 100 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 493
1992 383 84 1 4 0 n/a n/a 4 476
1993 370 81 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 453
1994 341 72 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 416
1995 373 86 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 459
1996 373 86 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 459
1997 405 74 0 7 0 n/a n/a 0 486
1998 363 78 0 7 2 n/a n/a 0 450
1999 324 74 0 8 3 n/a n/a 0 409
2000 281 87 0 10 2 n/a n/a 0 380
2001 298 95 1 6 1 n/a n/a 0 401
2002 296 88 0 15 0 n/a n/a 0 399
2003 296 88 0 15 0 n/a n/a 0 399
2004 267 77 0 18 0 n/a n/a 0 362
2005 374 75 0 27 0 n/a n/a 0 476
2006 375 86 0 32 0 n/a n/a 0 493
2007 370 100 1 38 0 n/a n/a 10 519
2008 368 84 2 36 0 n/a n/a 15 505
2009 274 77 2 25 0 n/a n/a 0 378
2010 274 80 3 14 1 n/a n/a 0 372
2011 273 55 2 16 0 0 9 0 355
2012 250 53 2 18 0 0 9 0 332
2013 241 49 1 23 0 0 7 0 321
2014 249 47 2 33 1 0 11 0 343
2015 220 47 1 25 1 0 13 0 307
2016 228 130 1 38 2 2 28 0 429
2017 203 139 2 54 0 1 24 0 423
2018 218 135 1 65 0 1 22 0 442
2019 214 132 0 67 1 0 20 0 434
2020 198 131 0 70 4 0 47 0 450
2021 201 127 0 66 2 0 30 0 426
2022 176 112 1 75 0 0 27 0 391
2023 194 102 1 80 0 0 30 0 407

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Bessemer City Central Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 519 29.0 17.8 27.9
1989 500 31.0 16.1 59
1990 514 31.0 16.5 56.6
1991 493 30.0 16.4 59
1992 476 30.0 15.8 27.5
1993 453 28.0 16.2 43.9
1994 416 26.0 16.0 39.7
1995 459 28.0 16.4 37.5
1996 459 28.0 16.4 37.5
1997 486 28.0 17.4 34.8
1998 450 27.0 16.7 42
1999 409 27.0 15.1 47.4
2000 380 27.0 14.1 55.3
2001 401 27.0 14.9 56.6
2002 399 26.0 15.3 60.9
2003 399 26.0 15.3 60.9
2004 362 21.0 17.2 54.4
2005 476 21.0 22.7 59
2006 493 21.0 23.5 63.7
2007 519 n/a n/a 67.2
2008 505 31.1 16.2 11
2009 378 23.4 16.2 10.8
2010 372 23.2 16.0 72.3
2011 355 24.2 14.6 72.7
2012 332 19.3 17.1 71.1
2013 321 18.7 17.1 77.3
2014 343 19.6 17.5 76.4
2015 307 19.0 16.1 98.7
2016 429 25.0 17.1 99.3
2017 423 22.6 18.7 99.3
2018 442 25.1 17.5 97.5
2019 434 24.9 17.3 98.8
2020 450 26.2 17.1 98.2
2021 426 25.2 16.8 98.8
2022 391 24.9 15.6 99.2
2023 407 25.0 16.2 99.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Bessemer City Central Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 519 29.0 17.8 27.9
1989 500 31.0 16.1 59
1990 514 31.0 16.5 56.6
1991 493 30.0 16.4 59
1992 476 30.0 15.8 27.5
1993 453 28.0 16.2 43.9
1994 416 26.0 16.0 39.7
1995 459 28.0 16.4 37.5
1996 459 28.0 16.4 37.5
1997 486 28.0 17.4 34.8
1998 450 27.0 16.7 42
1999 409 27.0 15.1 47.4
2000 380 27.0 14.1 55.3
2001 401 27.0 14.9 56.6
2002 399 26.0 15.3 60.9
2003 399 26.0 15.3 60.9
2004 362 21.0 17.2 54.4
2005 476 21.0 22.7 59
2006 493 21.0 23.5 63.7
2007 519 n/a n/a 67.2
2008 505 31.1 16.2 11
2009 378 23.4 16.2 10.8
2010 372 23.2 16.0 72.3
2011 355 24.2 14.6 72.7
2012 332 19.3 17.1 71.1
2013 321 18.7 17.1 77.3
2014 343 19.6 17.5 76.4
2015 307 19.0 16.1 98.7
2016 429 25.0 17.1 99.3
2017 423 22.6 18.7 99.3
2018 442 25.1 17.5 97.5
2019 434 24.9 17.3 98.8
2020 450 26.2 17.1 98.2
2021 426 25.2 16.8 98.8
2022 391 24.9 15.6 99.2
2023 407 25.0 16.2 99.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Bessemer City Central Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,476 (17.2%) $7,127 (82.8%) $8,603

Data source: North Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Bessemer City Central Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1389th of 1473 Elementary schoolsRanks 1418th of 1502 Elementary schools
 0.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Bessemer City Central Elementary)33.540.6
 7.1%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Gaston County Schools)56.455.9
 0.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)64.361.1
 3.2%
3rd Grade Reading (Bessemer City Central Elementary)29.722.8
 6.9%
   3rd Grade Reading (Gaston County Schools)51.840.6
 11.2%
   3rd Grade Reading (North Carolina)56.848
 8.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Bessemer City Central Elementary)45.725.2
 20.5%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Gaston County Schools)49.547.5
 2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
4th Grade Reading (Bessemer City Central Elementary)39.128.7
 10.4%
   4th Grade Reading (Gaston County Schools)53.648.9
 4.7%
   4th Grade Reading (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Bessemer City Central Elementary)24.429.3
 4.9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Gaston County Schools)52.548.6
 3.9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)60.255.9
 4.3%
5th Grade Reading (Bessemer City Central Elementary)23.725.6
 1.9%
   5th Grade Reading (Gaston County Schools)50.642.7
 7.9%
   5th Grade Reading (North Carolina)54.648
 6.6%
5th Grade Science (Bessemer City Central Elementary)48.141.5
 6.6%
   5th Grade Science (Gaston County Schools)69.360
 9.3%
   5th Grade Science (North Carolina)72.665.3
 7.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students434407
 6.2%
African American132102
 22.7%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian01
Hispanic6780
 19.4%
Pacific Islander00
White214194
 9.3%
Two or More Races2030
 50%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients98.8%99.3%
 0.4%


Schools Near Bessemer City Central Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Bessemer City Central Elementary

Bessemer City Central Elementary ranks in the bottom 4.1% of North Carolina elementary schools.

Students who attend Bessemer City Central Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Bessemer City Middle
High : Bessemer City High

In the 2022-23 school year, 407 students attended Bessemer City Central Elementary.

Students at Bessemer City Central Elementary are 48% White, 25% African American, 20% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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