Summary:
The Bessemer Area School District serves roughly 343 students across two schools—Washington School (grades K-6) and AD Johnston JrSr High School (grades 7-12)—in a rural Michigan setting where a majority of students (62-73%) qualify for free or reduced lunch.
For parents comparing the two schools, AD Johnston JrSr High School is the clear standout. It boasts a 90.4% graduation rate and a 0% dropout rate, both far better than state averages. Its 9th graders shine on the PSAT, with 75.8% proficient in English Language Arts versus 60.2% statewide, and 10th grade math proficiency (43.8%) also tops the state (31.5%). However, there is a sharp drop-off by 11th grade, where SAT reading proficiency falls to 29.4% and social studies to just 17.65%—both well below Michigan averages. Meanwhile, Washington School shows a different pattern: 3rd grade ELA proficiency is exceptional at 55% (state: 38.2%), but 4th grade math is a crisis point at just 15% proficiency, a 25-point drop from 3rd grade and far below the state's 39.4%. Washington also improved dramatically in 5th grade science, jumping from 19% to 41.9% in one year.
Both schools share a significant challenge: chronic absenteeism hovers near 35%, about 7-8 points above the state rate. This likely contributes to the academic struggles seen in middle and upper grades. Despite these issues, the district maintains a 3-star rating, and AD Johnston's ability to keep students engaged through graduation—even when test scores lag—is a notable strength. For parents, the takeaway is that early elementary literacy is a bright spot, but 4th grade math and 11th grade academics need attention, while high school retention is a genuine success story.
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