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2009-0726-CA-Bakersfield-FoxTheater (cropped)Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0
C
Schools in Bakersfield · Kern High School District, Bakersfield City School District

Bakersfield’s public schools score below 70% of California districts on tests and graduation

19% of students in Bakersfield’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the three public school districts serving Bakersfield, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.

#750of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
38%
▼ 9 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
19%
▼ 14 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85%
▼ 1 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$19.1K
▼ 10% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024 · Kern High
Students per teacher
22.6
CA 21.6 · larger classes
Schools in town
118
69,379 students on the public path
In brief

Bakersfield’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 559 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bakersfield’s, its schools beat 11%, lower than their 30% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 38% of tested students were proficient in reading and 19% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

Kern High spends $19,073 per student and Bakersfield City $20,798, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

44 elementary schools, then 14 middle and 13 high schools

Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Kern Workforce 2000 Academy, Valley Oaks Charter, Central Academy of Arts and Technology, Grow Public Schools, Bakersfield Christian High School (private), Garces Memorial High School (private), St. John's Lutheran School (private), Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (private), St. Francis Parish School (private), Heritage Christian Schools (private), Our Lady of Guadalupe School (private), Valley Montessori Academy (private), Little Red School House (private), Agapeland Christian Academy (private), Valley Achievement Center (private), Nigritian Academy (private), Academy of Curious Squidges and Boone (private) and Bakersfield Adventist Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Bakersfield’s grade

C+ Test scoresC Graduation

C: better than 30% of California school districts, #750 of 847 California towns. Both inputs trail the California average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 30%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (559)Better than 11%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 41,348 test results and a graduating class of 10,701 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Bakersfield’s students in the tested grades sat them (41,320 in math, 41,376 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bakersfield, with each school’s own grade.

44 schools teach K in Bakersfield’s district. Which one depends on your address.
Dolores S. Whitley TK-8
Elementary · Grades K–8
1,151 students23:1Rate it →
Douglas J. Miller Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
994 students28:1Rate it →
Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
960 students23:1Rate it →
Berkshire Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
932 students26:1Rate it →
Bill L. Williams Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
926 students26:1Rate it →
Panama Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
876 students27:1Rate it →
Bessie E. Owens Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
867 students22:1Rate it →
Charles H. Castle Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
832 students27:1Rate it →
Ronald Reagan Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
831 students25:1Rate it →
Myra A. Noble Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
813 students20:1Rate it →
Dr. Juliet Thorner Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
813 students23:1Rate it →
Sing Lum Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
809 students25:1Rate it →
Roy W. Loudon Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
807 students24:1Rate it →
Old River Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
795 students25:1Rate it →
Longfellow Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
780 students20:1Rate it →
College Heights Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
761 students21:1Rate it →
Highgate Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
732 students25:1Rate it →
Buena Vista Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
713 students26:1Rate it →
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
709 students22:1Rate it →
Fremont Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
707 students21:1Rate it →
Dr. Douglas K. Fletcher Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
705 students20:1Rate it →
Leo B. Hart Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
705 students26:1Rate it →
Leo G. Pauly Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
694 students20:1Rate it →
Stella I. Hills Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
670 students19:1Rate it →
Wayside Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
652 students20:1Rate it →
Frank West Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
650 students18:1Rate it →
McKinley Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
628 students21:1Rate it →
Amy B. Seibert Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
628 students23:1Rate it →
Cesar E. Chavez Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
621 students19:1Rate it →
Stine Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
615 students24:1Rate it →
Louise Sandrini Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
604 students24:1Rate it →
Caroline Harris Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
587 students19:1Rate it →
Stockdale Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
587 students23:1Rate it →
Wayne Van Horn Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
578 students24:1Rate it →
Laurelglen Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
574 students23:1Rate it →
Henry Eissler Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
529 students18:1Rate it →
Christa McAuliffe Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
524 students21:1Rate it →
Jefferson Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
510 students20:1Rate it →
Franklin Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
475 students20:1Rate it →
Williams Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
452 students21:1Rate it →
Casa Loma Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
424 students18:1Rate it →
Roosevelt Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
392 students20:1Rate it →
Downtown Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–8
317 students22:1Rate it →
William Penn Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
235 students17:1Rate it →
The path, start to finish
K–644 schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
7–814 middle schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
9–1213 high schoolsDepends on your addressA− to A+

Parts of Bakersfield (8%, 7%, 5%, 5%, 4%, 3% and 2% of its land) are served by Rosedale Union Elementary, Greenfield Union, Norris Elementary, Fruitvale Elementary, Lakeside Union, Rio Bravo-Greeley Union Elementary and Fairfax Elementary instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Three districts serve Bakersfield

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Kern High School DistrictGrades 9–12 · 25 schools · 42,814 students, up 2% since 2020–21 · 24.1 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$19,073CA $21,206 · FY2024
B−
Bakersfield City School DistrictGrades K–8 · 44 schools · 28,365 students, down 3% since 2020–21 · 20.4 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$20,798CA $21,206 · FY2024
D
Panama-Buena Vista School DistrictGrades K–8 · 25 schools · 19,366 students, up 6% since 2020–21 · 23.1 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$17,448CA $21,206 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading · 9–12, Kern High School District47%
State average 46.7% · 9518 students tested
Math · 9–12, Kern High School District16%
State average 33.1% · 9445 students tested
Reading · K–8, Bakersfield City School District27%
State average 46.7% · 19468 students tested
Math · K–8, Bakersfield City School District13%
State average 33.1% · 19496 students tested
Reading · K–8, Panama-Buena Vista School District47%
State average 46.7% · 12390 students tested
Math · K–8, Panama-Buena Vista School District30%
State average 33.1% · 12379 students tested

Bakersfield vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Bakersfield’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BakersfieldCBakersfield City K–8 · Panama-Buena Vista K–8 · Kern High 9–12

Every school in Bakersfield

118 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Bakersfieldby address
Dolores S. Whitley TK-8
Elementary · Grades K–8
1,151 students23:1Rate it →
Douglas J. Miller Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
994 students28:1Rate it →
Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
960 students23:1Rate it →
Berkshire Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
932 students26:1Rate it →
Bill L. Williams Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
926 students26:1Rate it →
Panama Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
876 students27:1Rate it →
Bessie E. Owens Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
867 students22:1Rate it →
Charles H. Castle Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
832 students27:1Rate it →
Ronald Reagan Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
831 students25:1Rate it →
Myra A. Noble Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
813 students20:1Rate it →
Dr. Juliet Thorner Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
813 students23:1Rate it →
Sing Lum Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
809 students25:1Rate it →
Roy W. Loudon Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
807 students24:1Rate it →
Old River Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
795 students25:1Rate it →
Longfellow Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
780 students20:1Rate it →
College Heights Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
761 students21:1Rate it →
Highgate Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
732 students25:1Rate it →
Buena Vista Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
713 students26:1Rate it →
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
709 students22:1Rate it →
Fremont Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
707 students21:1Rate it →
Dr. Douglas K. Fletcher Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
705 students20:1Rate it →
Leo B. Hart Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
705 students26:1Rate it →
Leo G. Pauly Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
694 students20:1Rate it →
Stella I. Hills Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
670 students19:1Rate it →
Wayside Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
652 students20:1Rate it →
Frank West Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
650 students18:1Rate it →
McKinley Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
628 students21:1Rate it →
Amy B. Seibert Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
628 students23:1Rate it →
Cesar E. Chavez Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
621 students19:1Rate it →
Stine Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
615 students24:1Rate it →
Louise Sandrini Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
604 students24:1Rate it →
Caroline Harris Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
587 students19:1Rate it →
Stockdale Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
587 students23:1Rate it →
Wayne Van Horn Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
578 students24:1Rate it →
Laurelglen Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
574 students23:1Rate it →
Henry Eissler Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
529 students18:1Rate it →
Christa McAuliffe Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
524 students21:1Rate it →
Jefferson Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
510 students20:1Rate it →
Franklin Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
475 students20:1Rate it →
Williams Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
452 students21:1Rate it →
Casa Loma Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
424 students18:1Rate it →
Roosevelt Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
392 students20:1Rate it →
Downtown Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–8
317 students22:1Rate it →
William Penn Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
235 students17:1Rate it →
Walter Stiern Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
891 students21:1Rate it →
Emerson Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
813 students22:1Rate it →
Paul L. Cato Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
694 students23:1Rate it →
Washington Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
639 students22:1Rate it →
Stonecreek Junior High
Middle · Grades 7–8
986 students19:1Rate it →
Earl Warren Junior High
Middle · Grades 7–8
965 students21:1Rate it →
Tevis Junior High
Middle · Grades 7–8
807 students20:1Rate it →
Sequoia Jr. High
Middle · Grades 7–8
746 students22:1Rate it →
Fred L. Thompson Junior High
Middle · Grades 7–8
714 students17:1Rate it →
Chipman Junior High
Middle · Grades 7–8
708 students22:1Rate it →
O. J. Actis Junior High
Middle · Grades 7–8
681 students16:1Rate it →
Abraham Lincoln Jr. High
Middle · Grades 7–8
527 students20:1Rate it →
Bakersfield High
High · Grades 9–12
A−
3,069 students26:1Rate it →
Ridgeview High
High · Grades 9–12
A+
2,575 students27:1Rate it →
Highland High
High · Grades 9–12
A
2,530 students24:1Rate it →
Stockdale High
High · Grades 9–12
2,398 students28:1Rate it →
Liberty High
High · Grades 9–12
A+
2,369 students27:1Rate it →
Independence High
High · Grades 9–12
2,324 students26:1Rate it →
Golden Valley High
High · Grades 9–12
A
2,228 students23:1Rate it →
Centennial High
High · Grades 9–12
A+
2,212 students25:1Rate it →
West High
High · Grades 9–12
A+
2,159 students27:1Rate it →
South High
High · Grades 9–12
A+
2,107 students24:1Rate it →
Frontier High
High · Grades 9–12
A+
2,098 students26:1Rate it →
Mira Monte High
High · Grades 9–12
2,048 students24:1Rate it →
Del Oro High
High · Grades 9–12
1,927 students25:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Rafer Johnson
Elementary · Grades K–8
Alternative Education
32 students6:1Rate it →
Vista Continuation High
High · Grades 9–12
Alternative Education
221 students15:1Rate it →
Vista West Continuation High
High · Grades 9–12
Alternative Education
375 students14:1Rate it →
Tierra Del Sol Continuation High
High · Grades 9–12
C−
Alternative Education
241 students15:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Grow Public Schools
Elementary · Grades K–8
Charter
1,446 students22:1Rate it →
Valley Oaks Charter
Grades K–12
C−
Charter
1,087 students21:1Rate it →
Kern Workforce 2000 Academy
High · Grades 9–12
Charter
491 students9:1Rate it →
Central Academy of Arts and Technology
Grades K–12
Charter
179 students16:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Bakersfieldrun by other districts or the state
San Lauren Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
D
417 students22:1Rate it →
Columbia Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
601 students20:1Rate it →
Endeavour Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
724 students22:1Rate it →
Quailwood Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
345 students21:1Rate it →
Discovery Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
706 students20:1Rate it →
Greenfield Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
873 students21:1Rate it →
Prosperity Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
543 students22:1Rate it →
Planz Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
610 students22:1Rate it →
Raffaello Palla Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
770 students26:1Rate it →
Leon H. Ollivier Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
1,152 students24:1Rate it →
W. A. Kendrick Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
699 students22:1Rate it →
Valle Verde Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
768 students23:1Rate it →
Horizon Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
845 students23:1Rate it →
Granite Pointe Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
670 students23:1Rate it →
Crescent Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
496 students21:1Rate it →
Donald E. Suburu
Elementary · Grades K–5
C−
803 students22:1Rate it →
Norris Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
810 students21:1Rate it →
William B. Bimat Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
552 students20:1Rate it →
Veterans Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
1,002 students23:1Rate it →
Del Rio Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
595 students22:1Rate it →
Almondale Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
631 students21:1Rate it →
Freedom Middle
Middle · Grades 7–8
712 students21:1Rate it →
Patriot Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
931 students24:1Rate it →
American Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
701 students22:1Rate it →
Kern County Special Education
Grades K–12
D−
Special Education
387 students7:1Rate it →
Kern County Community
Grades K–12
D−
Alternative Education
325 students14:1Rate it →
Kern County Juvenile Court
Grades K–12
D−
Alternative Education
191 students9:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Bakersfield Christian High School
High · Grades 9–12
Private · Religious
656 students19:1Rate it →
Garces Memorial High School
High · Grades 9–12
Private · Catholic
529 students14:1Rate it →
St. John's Lutheran School
Elementary · Grades K–8
Private · Religious
455 students18:1Rate it →
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
353 students17:1Rate it →
St. Francis Parish School
Elementary · Grades K–8
Private · Catholic
340 students17:1Rate it →
Heritage Christian Schools
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Religious
297 students23:1Rate it →
Our Lady of Guadalupe School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
224 students16:1Rate it →
Valley Montessori Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–3
Private · Nonsectarian
128 students26:1Rate it →
Little Red School House
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Nonsectarian
97 students8:1Rate it →
Agapeland Christian Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Private · Religious
90 students18:1Rate it →
Valley Achievement Center
Private · Special education
21 students10:1Rate it →
Nigritian Academy
Grades K–9
Private · Religious
11 students7:1Rate it →
Academy of Curious Squidges and Boone
Elementary · Grades PK–1
Private · Nonsectarian
10 students10:1Rate it →
Bakersfield Adventist Academy
Elementary · Grades K
Private · Religious
9 students9:1Rate it →

Left off: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Kern High ROC, Rafer Johnson Childrens Center, Mountain View TK-8 and Greenfield Community).

Questions about Bakersfield’s schools

Are Bakersfield’s schools good?

On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Bakersfield children attend score below 70% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #750 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 11%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Bakersfield in?

Kern High School District, which runs grades 9–12 and enrolls 42,814 students in 25 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Bakersfield are served by Rosedale Union Elementary, Greenfield Union, Norris Elementary, Fruitvale Elementary, Lakeside Union, Rio Bravo-Greeley Union Elementary and Fairfax Elementary.

Where do Bakersfield kids go to high school?

One of 13 high schools, depending on your address: Bakersfield High, Ridgeview High, Highland High, Stockdale High, Liberty High, Independence High, Golden Valley High, Centennial High, West High, South High, Frontier High, Mira Monte High and Del Oro High.

What is Bakersfield’s graduation rate?

85% of the class of 2023 in Kern High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Bakersfield spend per student?

$19,073 in Kern High School District, $20,798 in Bakersfield City School District and $17,448 in Panama-Buena Vista School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Bakersfield?

Yes: Bakersfield Christian High School (religious, grades 9–12, 656 students), Garces Memorial High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 529 students), St. John's Lutheran School (religious, grades K–8, 455 students), Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 353 students), St. Francis Parish School (Catholic, grades K–8, 340 students), Heritage Christian Schools (religious, grades PK–8, 297 students), Our Lady of Guadalupe School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 224 students), Valley Montessori Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–3, 128 students), Little Red School House (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 97 students), Agapeland Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–5, 90 students), Valley Achievement Center (special education, grades , 21 students), Nigritian Academy (religious, grades K–9, 11 students), Academy of Curious Squidges and Boone (nonsectarian, grades PK–1, 10 students) and Bakersfield Adventist Academy (religious, grades K, 9 students). Bakersfield also has 4 charter schools, free and open by application.

Parents talk

What Bakersfield families are saying about school.

Town Square →
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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bakersfield → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.