The lottery drawing for the Bessemer City Schools First Class Pre-K program was held Friday, March 13, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Central Office and streamed live on Facebook. Video of the lottery is available below.

Between April 16 and 18, families who pre-registered for Pre-K will receive an email from AlaCEED (sent by ADECE staff) letting you know whether your child’s status is pending or waitlisted for each program you selected.

Parents have 7 days to accept the placement by replying to prek@bessk12.org.  Be sure to respond within the 7-day window to secure your child’s spot! Class assignments will be shared after a parent accepts the offered position.

Children who registered after the deadline have been automatically placed on the waitlist.

Families with questions about the First Class Pre-K program or the lottery process may contact the Bessemer City Schools Central Office.

Pre-K Lottery Results by School

Westhills Elementary School

1. Salatiel Ramos-Martinez
2. Khloe Abernathy
3. Lehvyn Slaughter
4. Aidyn Cummings
5. Qari Davis
6. Ka'Mari Bellard
7. Ramir Taylor
8. Chloe Starkes
9. Kahari Evans
10. Joel Akanfe
11. Anthony Ortega-Xocua
12. Zoey Bonner
13. Tyler Franklin
14. Tristen Berry-McCall
15. Kash Tisdell
16. Christian Speights
17. Zy'Mir Sewell
18. Dallas Story

J. S. Abrams Elementary School

1. Marcus Herrera-Ramirez
2. Ramir Davis
3. Jaliyah Peterson
4. Kinslee Baugh
5. Ka'Mora Johnson
6. Lehvyn Slaughter
7. Tyler Franklin
8. Ke’hlani Fluker
9. Maliq Stallings
10. Zoey Bonner
11. Ameelia Butler
12. Malaysia Morris
13. Kamar Watson
14. Amir Maston
15. Karter Evans
16. Ja'Corian Carlisle
17. Skylar Robertson
18. Kelsey Rice

Greenwood Elementary School

1. Brooklynn Hubbard
2. Alivia Bailey
3. Malia Edwards
4. Cai’Lani Roberts-Webster
5. Kynnedi McCall
6. Eliza Ward
7. Amelia Moore
8. Evelyn Thornton
9. Gianna Kimachia
10. Tristen Berry-McCall
11. De'loni Luster
12. Bryan Jones
13. K'Chanel Gray
14. Hayden Wallace
15. Emely Chaidez
16. Delilah Ward
17. Zaniah Patton
18. Amairany Marin

Class #1 Jonesboro Elementary 

1. Parker Hicks
2. Ja'Corian Carlisle
3. Abram Archible
4. DaKel Herring
5. Jaliyah Peterson
6. Zy'Mir Sewell
7. Riska Cross
8. Milton Maldonado
9. Emiliano Camarillo
10. Kamar Watson
11. Wolfgang Fanning
12. Nova Moore
13. Malik Smith
14. Kash Tisdell
15. Kinslee Sims

Class #2 Jonesboro Elementary 

1. Skylar Robertson
2. Evelynn Pina
3. Mazi Hines
4. Karson Marshall
5. Bryan Jones
6. De'loni Luster
7. Malia Edwards
8. Khloe Abernathy
9. Cai’Lani Roberts-Webster
10. Razique Dearman
11. Dallas Story
12. K'Chanel Gray
13. Chloe Starkes
14. Maliq Stallings

Class #1 C.F. Hard Elementary

1. Ariana Wells
2. Dominic Hernandez
3. De'loni Luster
4. Kamoni Jackson
5. Khloe Abernathy
6. Samuel Martin
7. Karson Marshall
8. Layla Wright
9. David Boston
10. Akemi Burnice
11. Malaysia Morris
12. Skylar Robertson
13. Camya Barr
14. Semma Alaraj
15. Tristen Berry-McCall
16. Tishawna Pitkin
17. Jaliyah Peterson

Class #2 C.F. Hard Elementary

1. Khaleel Boston
2. Amelia Moore
3. Tyler Franklin
4. Zonoava Manley
5. Abram Archible
6. Kamar Watson
7. Kylan Lewis
8. Queen Lee
9. Tylan Jeffery
10. De'Meria Wyatt
11. Evelynn Pina
12. K'Chanel Gray
13. Choyce Robinson
14. Kinslee Baugh
15. Malia Edwards
16. J'Meria Jones
17. Leiah Phillips

Lottery Drawing Date: Friday, March 13, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Central Office & Facebook Live

Who Can Participate?

Your child must be 4 years old on or before September 2, 2026.

You must live in the Bessemer City Schools zone.

Important Registration Info:

• Pre-registration deadline: March 12, 2026

• Children pre-registered by this date will be included in the initial lottery drawing.

• Children pre-registered after the deadline will be automatically added to the waitlist.
  
  Register Online: First Class PreK
  
  Drawing Result
  Acceptance into a First Class Pre-K program is strictly through random selection drawing.  Presence at the drawing is not required.  Emails to pending and waitlist students will go out from the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) on April 16 -18, 2026.  Beginning April 19, 2026, parents may accept the student's offered enrollment.  The student will receive a class assignment after the parent has accepted the offered position. 
  
  * Note: Lottery Selection - Students living in the Bessemer City School Zone will be entered first.   

Bessemer City Middle School transformed into a hub of literacy and celebration Feb. 19 as families gathered for its literacy night, dubbed “Nacho Average Lit Night.” The evening event, held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the middle school campus, aimed to foster a love for reading while providing families with essential academic resources. Attendees received information regarding the Alabama Literacy Act and participated in "make and take" activities designed to support student learning at home.

The atmosphere was festive, featuring performances by the school’s band and choir. In addition to teacher presentations and student awards, the school provided snacks including nachos and popcorn. Every student in attendance also had the opportunity to take home free books through a dedicated giveaway. “Your presence, participation, and partnership make all the difference in our scholars’ success,” school officials said in a statement following the event. “When families and schools work together, there’s nothing our students can’t achieve.”

The event concluded with raffles and Valentine’s Day-themed treats, highlighting the school’s commitment to community engagement. Administrators noted that the high turnout underscored the community’s dedication to making literacy a priority for the "Purple Tigers" of Bessemer.

Pre‑K Lottery Registration Opens January 15th! Bessemer City Schools families — it’s almost time!

Pre‑register online for the 2026–2027 Alabama First Class Pre‑K Program at: https://prek.alaceed.alabama.gov 

Be sure to select the 2026–2027 school year when applying.

What You’ll Need: 
• A copy of your child’s birth certificate 
• Proof of residence within Bessemer City Schools zones

Eligibility: 
• Child must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2026 
• No registration fees 
• Must be zoned for Bessemer City Schools

Don’t miss your chance — the lottery opens January 15th!

Bessemer City Schools is celebrating measurable growth and renewed momentum as the district earned its highest letter grade on the Alabama State Department of Education’s report card since its inception for the 2017-2018 school year. In just one year, the district’s overall score increased from a 68 (D) to a 75 (C), marking significant progress and reflecting the collective dedication of Bessemer’s students, educators, and community.

The improvement reflects the district’s steady commitment to student achievement, teacher support and community partnership – all key components of its motto to lead the way to a brighter future for its students.

“This growth is more than a letter on a report card. It’s evident that our students are learning, our teachers are leading and our community is believing,” said Michael Turner, superintendent.

For the past year, the district has partnered with state leaders in an intervention designed to improve academic outcomes and strengthen governance issues. The recent announcement shows that the district is heading in the right direction.

“This milestone belongs to everyone in the Bessemer City Schools’ family–from the classrooms to the boardroom,” said Terry Dawson, school board president. “It’s proof that when we focus on what matters most, our students, we all move forward together.”

Turner credits a growing belief across the district that meaningful progress is not only possible, but happening. 

“This growth represents more than academic gains; it’s the result of a shared belief that our students can achieve and our schools can thrive,” he said. “When our teachers feel supported, our families feel engaged, and our students feel believed in, great things happen. We’re proving that here in Bessemer every day. But we’re not satisfied — we’re committed to continuing this momentum and reaching even higher.”

The Alabama State Report Card evaluates multiple indicators, including academic achievement, academic growth, graduation rate, and college and career readiness. For more information and to view complete report card results, visit alabamaachieves.org.