At a glance
Reported students
590
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
31.81
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
18.5:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
09–12
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
North Carolina high enrollment
49th percentile
Compared with 617 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
510
Bessemer City High: 590 reported students.
State peer staffing position
52nd percentile
18.5:1 reported; state peer median 18.3:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 582
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46.45
- Student–teacher ratio
- 12.5:1
What the reported data says about Bessemer City High
Bessemer City High is a public high school serving grades 09–12 in Bessemer City. It is one of 56 current school records connected to Gaston County Schools. NCES reports 590 students for 2024–25.
Among 617 high schools in North Carolina with comparable records, this school is close in size to the reported median of 623 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 49th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 18.5:1, close to the North Carolina median of 18.3:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (43.9%) and Black (25.1%). English learners represent 4.6% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 14.9%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports AP student enrollment, gifted and talented programming, computer science. The school reported 4 AP courses. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Bessemer City High
- 1How do the reported 18.5:1 student–teacher ratio and 31.81 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Have the reported academic programs changed since the 2021–22 CRDC collection?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 2 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 4.6%
- Students with disabilities
- 14.9%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 99.5%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 2
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0.2
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0.5
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White43.9%
- Hispanic24.4%
- Black25.1%
- Asian0.3%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.3%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial5.9%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
AP student enrollment
Students enrolled
4 distinct courses reported
Gifted and talented
Offered
Computer science
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Gaston County Schools
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Highland Sch of Technology
High · Grades 09–12
538 reported students
Cherryville High
High · Grades 09–12
484 reported students
East Gaston High
High · Grades 09–12
917 reported students
Gaston Early College High School
High · Grades 09–13
235 reported students
Stuart W Cramer High
High · Grades 09–12
953 reported students
South Point High
High · Grades 09–12
989 reported students
Public schools near Bessemer City High
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaston Early College High School High · Gaston County Schools | 09–13 | 235 | 5.2 mi |
| Highland Sch of Technology High · Gaston County Schools | 09–12 | 538 | 5.2 mi |
| Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences High · Gaston County Schools | 09–13 | 174 | 5.3 mi |
| Hunter Huss High High · Gaston County Schools | 09–12 | 1,165 | 5.7 mi |
| North Gaston High High · Gaston County Schools | 09–12 | 1,061 | 6.4 mi |
| Kings Mountain High High · Cleveland County Schools | 09–12 | 1,305 | 6.6 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Bessemer City High
What grades does Bessemer City High serve?
Bessemer City High reports grades 09–12 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a high school in Gaston County Schools.
How many students attend Bessemer City High?
Bessemer City High reported 590 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 49th percentile among 617 North Carolina high schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 582 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Bessemer City High?
The calculated ratio is 18.5:1, based on 590 students and 31.81 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The North Carolina median for the same school level is 18.3:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Bessemer City High a public, charter, or magnet school?
Bessemer City High is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Gaston County Schools attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Bessemer City High students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
99.5% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Bessemer City High in?
Bessemer City High is part of Gaston County Schools, based in Gastonia, NC, which operates 56 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Bessemer City High?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Gaston Early College High School (5.2 mi), Highland Sch of Technology (5.2 mi), Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences (5.3 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.