Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Hillcrest

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
C−
Schools in Hillcrest · Bakersfield City School District, Kern High School District

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

In Hillcrest, 14% of tested students are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Hillcrest, 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
6
5,718 students on the public path
In brief

Hillcrest’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 220 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Hillcrest’s, its schools beat 16%, 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 Hillcrest’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 (220)Better than 16%
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 Hillcrest’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 Hillcrest, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–63 schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
7–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
9–12East Bakersfield HighKern High School DistrictA

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

Two districts serve Hillcrest

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

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
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

Well below the state in reading

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 · 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

Hillcrest vs. its neighbors

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

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

Every school in Hillcrest

6 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 Hillcrestby address
Horace Mann Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6 · Bakersfield
870 students21:1Rate it →
Ramon Garza Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Bakersfield
658 students20:1Rate it →
Harding Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6 · Bakersfield
542 students21:1Rate it →
Sierra Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Bakersfield
731 students21:1Rate it →
Compton Junior High
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Bakersfield
586 students21:1Rate it →
East Bakersfield High
High · Grades 9–12 · Bakersfield
A
2,331 students24:1Rate it →

Questions about Hillcrest’s schools

Are Hillcrest’s schools good?

On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Hillcrest children attend score below 77% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #814 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 16%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Hillcrest in?

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

Where do Hillcrest kids go to high school?

East Bakersfield High in Bakersfield, with 2,331 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is Hillcrest’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 Hillcrest spend per student?

$20,798 in Bakersfield City 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 Hillcrest families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Hillcrest → 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.