C⁻

Schools in Cottonwood · Bakersfield City School District, Kern High School District

Cottonwood’s public schools score below 77% of California districts on tests and graduation

14% of students in Cottonwood’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Cottonwood, 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.

#814of 847 California townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% 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

34%

▼ 13 pts vs CA 47%

2021–22

Math proficiency

14%

▼ 19 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

22.5

CA 21.6 · larger classes

Schools in town

69,654 students on the public path

In brief

Cottonwood’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 188 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Cottonwood’s, its schools beat 17%, lower than their 23% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 34% of tested students were proficient in reading and 14% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 95% 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

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

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 Cottonwood’s grade

C⁻ Test scoresC Graduation

C−: better than 23% of California school districts, #814 of 847 California towns. Both inputs trail the California average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 23%

Lower resultsHigher results

California towns with similar household incomes (188)Better than 17%

A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 28,964 test results and a graduating class of 10,701 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Cottonwood’s students in the tested grades sat them (28,941 in math, 28,986 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

33 schools teach K in Cottonwood’s district. Which one depends on your address.

Cottonwood’s public schools score below 77% of California districts on tests and graduation

Cottonwood’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Results trail the state

Graduation

Spending and class size

What’s behind Cottonwood’s grade

Where will my kid go?

Two districts serve Cottonwood

Well below the state in reading

Cottonwood vs. its neighbors

Every school in Cottonwood

Questions about Cottonwood’s schools

Parents talk