Best Public Schools in Zip Code 35020

Zip code 35020 in the Bessemer, Alabama area is served by 8 schools—6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school—spanning four districts, with a total enrollment of about 2,604 students and a high-poverty profile where roughly 76% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

For parents, the standout choice in this area is Lipscomb Elementary School, which consistently earns the highest ratings (3 stars) and outperforms state averages in several subjects—including 5th grade English at 70.27% proficiency and 3rd grade math at 56.25%—despite serving a student body where nearly 74% qualify for free or reduced lunch. Brighton School also shows strength in 5th grade math (39.58%, above the state average) but struggles in 3rd grade math (14.89%), revealing inconsistent performance across grade levels. Abrams Elementary School is the most improved, with 5th grade math jumping from 6.45% to 30.3% and 5th grade English rising from 35.71% to 51.52% year-over-year, though it still holds a 1-star rating. On the other end, Charles F Hard Elementary School ranks near the bottom statewide (1st percentile) with critically low proficiency, including 0% science in 4th grade. Jonesboro Elementary School and Empower Community SchoolLower School also lag significantly behind state averages in math and English.

The secondary schools present the most urgent concerns. Bessemer City Middle School shows a dramatic academic collapse, with 7th grade math proficiency at just 1.01% versus the state average of 24.46%, and chronic absenteeism at 29.5%—more than double the state rate. Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School is the only school in the zip code to exceed a state average in any subject (11th grade English at 34.88% vs. 33.73%), but its math proficiency is low (11.63%) and absenteeism is 31.1%. District-level differences matter: Jefferson County schools generally outperform Bessemer City schools, with the latter ranking 132nd of 139 districts statewide. The middle school transition is the biggest red flag—students who show moderate proficiency in 5th grade see scores collapse by 7th grade—making this the top priority for improvement.