Bessemer Elementary School vs. Brightwood Elementary School
Should you attend Bessemer Elementary School or Brightwood Elementary School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
School Overview
School
Top Rankings
Bessemer Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Brightwood Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Overview
Serving 465 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, Bessemer Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 27% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 25% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is lower than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Serving 516 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, Brightwood Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 33% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 39% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 56% (majority Black).
Grades Offered
PK-5
PK-5
Total Students
465 students
516 students
![This chart displays total students of Bessemer Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays total students of Bessemer Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/total_students/60000/59504/bessemer-elementary-school-chart-bcic1JI.png)
![This chart displays total students of Brightwood Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays total students of Brightwood Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/total_students/60000/59537/brightwood-elementary-school-chart-0zlWV9.png)
% Male | % Female
48% | 52%
54% | 46%
![This chart displays gender of Bessemer Elementary School This chart displays gender of Bessemer Elementary School](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/gender/60000/59504/bessemer-elementary-school-chart-9RsGw6.png)
![This chart displays gender of Brightwood Elementary School This chart displays gender of Brightwood Elementary School](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/gender/60000/59537/brightwood-elementary-school-chart-bhP9SQ7.png)
Total Classroom Teachers
34 teachers
33 teachers
![This chart displays the total teachers of Bessemer Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the total teachers of Bessemer Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/total_teachers/60000/59504/bessemer-elementary-school-chart-bapuuXm.png)
![This chart displays the total teachers of Brightwood Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the total teachers of Brightwood Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/total_teachers/60000/59537/brightwood-elementary-school-chart-b0ECwDH.png)
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
16:1
![This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Bessemer Elementary School and the public school average student teacher ratio of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Bessemer Elementary School and the public school average student teacher ratio of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/teacher_student_ratio/60000/59504/bessemer-elementary-school-chart-bec4qhF.png)
![This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Brightwood Elementary School and the public school average student teacher ratio of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Brightwood Elementary School and the public school average student teacher ratio of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/teacher_student_ratio/60000/59537/brightwood-elementary-school-chart-bn3xmIL.png)
Test Scores
Overall Testing Rank
#2389 out of 2617 schools in NC
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
#1974 out of 2617 schools in NC
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
![This chart displays the overall school rank of Bessemer Elementary School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the overall school rank of Bessemer Elementary School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/overall_school_rank/60000/59504/bessemer-elementary-school-chart-MLtjbY.png)
![This chart displays the overall school rank of Brightwood Elementary School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the overall school rank of Brightwood Elementary School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/overall_school_rank/60000/59537/brightwood-elementary-school-chart-0pVHT9.png)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
33%
![This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/math_percent/60000/59504/bessemer-elementary-school-chart-DxWZfD.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/math_percent/60000/59537/brightwood-elementary-school-chart-bsEl7DY.png)
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
25%
39%
![This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/rla_percent/60000/59504/bessemer-elementary-school-chart-ML7Y3K.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/rla_percent/60000/59537/brightwood-elementary-school-chart-bjqWKD4.png)
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-49%
50-54%
![This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/sci_percent/60000/59504/bessemer-elementary-school-chart-blkO25T.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/sci_percent/60000/59537/brightwood-elementary-school-chart-b5O0aS6.png)
Students by Grade
Students by Grade
![This chart displays the students of Bessemer Elementary School by grade. This chart displays the students of Bessemer Elementary School by grade.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/students_by_grade/60000/59504/bessemer-elementary-school-chart-wEsWSP.png)
![This chart displays the students of Brightwood Elementary School by grade. This chart displays the students of Brightwood Elementary School by grade.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/students_by_grade/60000/59537/brightwood-elementary-school-chart-DD7kdl.png)
Pre-K Students
35
34
Kindergarten Students
61
84
Grade 1 Students
73
81
Grade 2 Students
75
75
Grade 3 Students
71
81
Grade 4 Students
67
70
Grade 5 Students
83
91
Students by Ethnicity
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
![This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Bessemer Elementary School and percentage of American Indian public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2011-12 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Bessemer Elementary School and percentage of American Indian public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2011-12 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/american_indian_ethnicity/60000/59504/bessemer-elementary-school-chart-NcNwDp.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Brightwood Elementary School and percentage of American Indian public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2010-11 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Brightwood Elementary School and percentage of American Indian public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2010-11 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/american_indian_ethnicity/60000/59537/brightwood-elementary-school-chart-bwSUPvY.png)
% Asian
4%
2%
![This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of Asian public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of Asian public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/asian_islander_ethnicity/60000/59504/bessemer-elementary-school-chart-9QmfR5.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of Asian public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of Asian public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/asian_islander_ethnicity/60000/59537/brightwood-elementary-school-chart-UAJmIq.png)
% Hispanic
27%
17%
![This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/hispanic_students_ethnicity/60000/59504/bessemer-elementary-school-chart-BJmBvf.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/hispanic_students_ethnicity/60000/59537/brightwood-elementary-school-chart-qYF23y.png)
% Black
64%
70%
![This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of Black public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of Black public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/black_students_ethnicity/60000/59504/bessemer-elementary-school-chart-7X18Iq.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of Black public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of Black public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/black_students_ethnicity/60000/59537/brightwood-elementary-school-chart-b0F1K8p.png)
% White
3%
5%
![This chart displays the percentage of White students in Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of White public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of White students in Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of White public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/white_students_ethnicity/60000/59504/bessemer-elementary-school-chart-wDHqGB.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of White students in Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of White public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of White students in Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of White public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/white_students_ethnicity/60000/59537/brightwood-elementary-school-chart-6e92SX.png)
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
6%
![This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/two_or_more_races_students_ethnicity/60000/59504/bessemer-elementary-school-chart-SI04TZ.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/two_or_more_races_students_ethnicity/60000/59537/brightwood-elementary-school-chart-ltSEBw.png)
Diversity Score
0.52
0.48
![This chart displays the diversity score of Bessemer Elementary School and the public school average diversity score of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the diversity score of Bessemer Elementary School and the public school average diversity score of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/diversity_score/60000/59504/bessemer-elementary-school-chart-F5Pkfa.png)
![This chart displays the diversity score of Brightwood Elementary School and the public school average diversity score of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the diversity score of Brightwood Elementary School and the public school average diversity score of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/diversity_score/60000/59537/brightwood-elementary-school-chart-6ePsFF.png)
Additional Information
Eligible for Free Lunch
99%
99%
![This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/freelunch_students/60000/59504/bessemer-elementary-school-chart-qYZ7ob.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/freelunch_students/60000/59537/brightwood-elementary-school-chart-bn3XW5O.png)
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
9%
![This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2013-14 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Bessemer Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2013-14 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/reduced_pricelunch_students/60000/59504/bessemer-elementary-school-chart-bpxm6cf.png)
![This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2013-14 school year data. This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Brightwood Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2013-14 school year data.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/reduced_pricelunch_students/60000/59537/brightwood-elementary-school-chart-bjIg2QM.png)