D
Needs Improvement
41/100

Charles F Hard Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 🏫 Elementary
📍 2801 Arlington Ave, Bessemer, AL 35020
Overall
D
41/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
D
4.0 grade levels below the U.S. average · 4th percentile in Alabama
Growth
C
Students gain 0.92 grade levels a year (U.S. average 1.0) · 37th percentile
Resources
B
Class size, funding, school size and type

Each score is graded separately against Alabama schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools

41
Repit Score
out of 100
350
Students
enrolled
21.9:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$14K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Achievement (reading & math, grades 3–8)40%4/1004.0 grade levels below the national average, 2022–25 (Stanford SEDA)
📈 Growth (how fast students learn)45%37/100Students gain 0.92 grade levels per school year in 2022–25 (national average ≈ 1.0) and gained 0.77 in 2009–19; 46th percentile in Alabama (recent period weighted 70%)
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)15%76/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

Students served: 81% students directly certified for free meals (their families receive SNAP or similar aid). Compared with Alabama schools serving a similar share of low-income students, this school’s reading and math results are −19 points worse than expected. (Context only; not part of the score.)

The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in Alabama. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools

Test Scores & Graduation

📖 Reading proficiency12% (−29 pts vs. state avg 41%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2020–21
➗ Math proficiency3% (−18 pts vs. state avg 20%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2020–21

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.

How Student Groups Do Here

Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the Alabama state test (2020–21), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.

StudentsReadingMathvs. same group statewideRank in state for this group
Black12%3%reading -19 pts, math -7 pts2nd percentile (list)
Low-income12%3%reading -24 pts, math -12 pts2nd percentile (list)

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.

School Information

Address 2801 Arlington Ave
City Bessemer
ZIP Code 35020
District 0100330
NCES School ID 010033000084
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 35020

Understanding the community around Charles F Hard Elementary School helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $31,257
Per Capita Income $19,485
Poverty Rate 28.1%
Households Earning $100K+ 8.2%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 10.5%
High School or Higher 82.5%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $87,000
Median Rent $828
Owner-Occupied 54.8%
Renter-Occupied 45.2%
View full data for ZIP 35020 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 35020 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 35020 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for Charles F Hard Elementary School.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 54.0%
Female 46.0%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

Black 88.6%
Hispanic/Latino 6.6%
Two or More Races 4.3%
White 0.6%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 350
Teachers (FTE) 16.0
Student:Teacher Ratio 21.9:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for Charles F Hard Elementary School?
Charles F Hard Elementary School has a Repit School Score of 41 out of 100, earning a grade of D. The score is based mainly on reading and math proficiency compared with other schools in the state, with class size and funding counting for a smaller share.
How many students attend Charles F Hard Elementary School?
Charles F Hard Elementary School has 350 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 21.9:1.
What grades does Charles F Hard Elementary School serve?
Charles F Hard Elementary School serves grades Pre-K – 05 and is classified as a Elementary. This is a public school.
How much funding does Charles F Hard Elementary School receive per student?
Charles F Hard Elementary School receives $14,480 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is around the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around Charles F Hard Elementary School in 35020 ▼
Avg Home Value
$64,797
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,212
1-Year Change
+3.6%
% Renters
45.2%

Other Schools in 35020

View all schools and real estate data for 35020 →

About Repit School Scores

Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:

  • Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
  • Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
  • Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.

Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology

Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026