Bessemer City Middle School

My son is a 6th grader at BCMS. He really dislikes this school and wants a transfer next year. I don't feel like he is challenged enough in this school. Sometimes he will have homework, but only math. I would say in the last 2 months that he hasn't had any. He is an honor roll student but I don't think that is much of an accomplishment considering the amount of work he does. During his parent teacher conferences the teachers didnt seem too interested in his work or my concerns. If you have the option of putting your child into another school I would recommend that.
--Submitted by a parent

This school does not challenge its students academically. My daughter is in teh 7th grade and rarely brings home more than 30 minutes of home work. She gets good grades, but who couldn;t given the low volum of work expected from a student. Since I work in higher education, I can say with some level of conviction that students that are not prepared for college seldom make it. With the level of work my daughter is being required to do, she will breeze through the public education system in Gaston county and then wonder why College is so hard and why she fails so much.
--Submitted by a parent

I think the administration does a good job of handling student misconduct and putting each student's best interests to heart. Parents have to realize that they have to parent their kids so they can come to school and do as well as expected. Despite the high rate of low income students, I think this school has a lot of potential. Parents just have to wake up!
--Submitted by a parent

So far I haven't had any problems or concern with this school. When I do have to call the school for any reason they answer my questions right then, not a couple of days later like other schools did in the past. My son is getting better grades since hes been at this school and his teachers are really great.
--Submitted by a parent

I am in a unique situation in that I am both a parent of a student at BCMS and a teacher there. I am very excited about the changes that are occurring. First of all, we had the pleasure of having Rebecca Wilson (principal) assigned to our school. Through her inovative ideas and high expectations we achieved our expected growth and made all of our AYP goals!! Granted, we are still working to improve in all areas of our program, we are up and coming. Look for great things our of BCMS!

I am the community involvement rep. for BCMS and i feel our school is going thru the 'valley',we are experiencing many changes and we really need and expect more parent involvement...Sports are great,teachers need more encouragement,and administration is lacking,however,the parents are the key to our schools.Step up and speak up for your children.
--Submitted by a parent

Bessemer City Middle School is an excellent school especially when you consider the socio-economic backgrounds of the greatly diverse student population. The teachers do an excellent job of letting the students know that they are very important and can achieve. That says a lot when the majority of the students have been told 'you'll never make anything out of yourself' or 'you'll never be successful'. As a long-time member of the community, I am thankful for the teachers and administration at BCMS.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is poorly run and unfair to many students. Teachers are not interested in the children.
--Submitted by a parent

The academic programs are acceptable, but teachers need to explain things better. The availibiliy of music and art is terrible. You can only take one elective fine art, so, if you are in band, you cannot take spanish, chorus, art, or any of those classes, and vice-versa. The sports are pretty good. There isn't much parent involvement at this school.
--Submitted by Mandy, a student