Summary:
The city of Bessemer, Michigan, is served by the Bessemer Area School District, which includes just two schools—Washington School (grades K-6) and AD Johnston JrSr High School (grades 7-12)—with a combined enrollment of 343 students in a small, economically challenged community where roughly two-thirds of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
When comparing the two schools, AD Johnston JrSr High School is the stronger performer overall. It boasts a 90.4% graduation rate—well above the state average of 84%—and an impressive 0.0% dropout rate. The high school also shows pockets of excellence, particularly in 9th-grade PSAT English (75.8% proficient) and 10th-grade PSAT Math (43.8% vs. 31.5% statewide). However, its 11th-grade SAT scores are a weak spot, with only 29.4% proficient in reading and 23.8% in math. In contrast, Washington School has seen its state ranking slide from the 49th percentile to the 42nd percentile over two years. While 3rd-grade scores are solid (55% in ELA, 40% in math), performance collapses by 4th grade, where math proficiency falls to just 15%—a critical red flag for parents.
Both schools face a serious systemic challenge with chronic absenteeism, hovering around 35%—far above the state's 27.9% average. This likely contributes to the inconsistent test scores and the noticeable "middle school slump" as students transition from elementary to higher grades. Despite these struggles, the high school's ability to keep students enrolled and graduating suggests strong support systems, even if college readiness (as measured by SAT) lags. For parents, the takeaway is clear: early elementary years show promise, but targeted help is needed in upper elementary and high school to reverse declining proficiency and address attendance issues.
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