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Schools in Fairfax · Fairfax Elementary School District, Kern High School District

Fairfax’s public schools score below 60% of California districts on tests and graduation

On the state math tests, 16% of Fairfax’s students scored proficient, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Fairfax, 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.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 91% 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
44%
▼ 3 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
16%
▼ 17 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
24.0
CA 21.6 · larger classes
Schools in town
3
43,344 students on the public path
In brief

Fairfax’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 43 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Fairfax’s, its schools beat 51%, higher than their 40% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 44% of tested students were proficient in reading and 16% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 91% 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

Fairfax Elementary spends $19,076 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 Fairfax’s grade

C+ Test scoresC Graduation

C+: better than 40% of California school districts. 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 40%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (43)Better than 51%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 11,294 test results and a graduating class of 10,701 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 91% of Fairfax’s students in the tested grades sat them (11,255 in math, 11,331 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–62 schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
7–8Fairfax Junior HighFairfax Elementary School DistrictNo scores
9–1219 high schoolsDepends on your addressA− to A+

Fairfax runs its own schools through grade 8 (Fairfax Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Kern High School District, shared with Arvin, Bakersfield and Shafter. Its high school is in Bakersfield. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Fairfax

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

Fairfax Elementary School DistrictGrades K–8 · 4 schools · 2,667 students, down 1% since 2020–21 · 21.9 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$19,076CA $21,206 · FY2024
C−
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−
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading · K–8, Fairfax Elementary School District26%
State average 46.7% · 1813 students tested
Math · K–8, Fairfax Elementary School District17%
State average 33.1% · 1810 students tested
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

Fairfax vs. its neighbors

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

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

Every school in Fairfax

22 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 Fairfaxby address
Zephyr Lane Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6 · Bakersfield
797 students24:1Rate it →
Shirley Lane Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6 · Bakersfield
617 students22:1Rate it →
Fairfax Junior High
Middle · Grades 5–8 · Bakersfield
609 students19:1Rate it →
Also serving Fairfaxin other towns
Bakersfield High
High · Grades 9–12 · Bakersfield
A−
3,069 students26:1Rate it →
Arvin High
High · Grades 9–12 · Arvin
A+
2,653 students26:1Rate it →
Ridgeview High
High · Grades 9–12 · Bakersfield
A+
2,575 students27:1Rate it →
Highland High
High · Grades 9–12 · Bakersfield
A
2,530 students24:1Rate it →
Stockdale High
High · Grades 9–12 · Bakersfield
2,398 students28:1Rate it →
Liberty High
High · Grades 9–12 · Bakersfield
A+
2,369 students27:1Rate it →
East Bakersfield High
High · Grades 9–12 · Bakersfield
A
2,331 students24:1Rate it →
Independence High
High · Grades 9–12 · Bakersfield
2,324 students26:1Rate it →
Golden Valley High
High · Grades 9–12 · Bakersfield
A
2,228 students23:1Rate it →
Centennial High
High · Grades 9–12 · Bakersfield
A+
2,212 students25:1Rate it →
West High
High · Grades 9–12 · Bakersfield
A+
2,159 students27:1Rate it →
North High
High · Grades 9–12 · Bakersfield
A
2,135 students25:1Rate it →
South High
High · Grades 9–12 · Bakersfield
A+
2,107 students24:1Rate it →
Frontier High
High · Grades 9–12 · Bakersfield
A+
2,098 students26:1Rate it →
Mira Monte High
High · Grades 9–12 · Bakersfield
2,048 students24:1Rate it →
Foothill High
High · Grades 9–12 · Bakersfield
A
2,043 students24:1Rate it →
Del Oro High
High · Grades 9–12 · Bakersfield
1,927 students25:1Rate it →
Shafter High
High · Grades 9–12 · Shafter
A
1,599 students22:1Rate it →
Kern Valley High
High · Grades 9–12 · Lake Isabella
A
516 students17:1Rate it →

Questions about Fairfax’s schools

Are Fairfax’s schools good?

On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Fairfax children attend score below 60% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 51%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Fairfax in?

Two districts: Fairfax Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Kern High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Arvin, Bakersfield and Shafter.

Where do Fairfax kids go to high school?

One of 19 high schools, depending on your address: Bakersfield High, Arvin High, Ridgeview High, Highland High, Stockdale High, Liberty High, East Bakersfield High, Independence High, Golden Valley High, Centennial High, West High, North High, South High, Frontier High, Mira Monte High, Foothill High, Del Oro High, Shafter High and Kern Valley High.

What is Fairfax’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 Fairfax spend per student?

$19,076 in Fairfax Elementary School District and $19,073 in Kern High School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Fairfax families are saying about school.

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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.