Best Public Schools in Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield, California, is home to 149 schools serving students from elementary through high school, with a majority being elementary schools (95) and a significant portion of students facing economic challenges, as indicated by an average free/reduced lunch rate of 78.5%.

Among high schools, Stockdale High stands out as the top performer, boasting the highest state ranking (85th percentile), graduation rate (93.3%), and test scores in English (74.56% proficient) and Math (40.32%). Frontier High also excels with the city's highest graduation rate (98.1%) and lowest dropout rate (0.8%). In contrast, Mira Monte High and Del Oro High face significant challenges, with 1-star ratings and very low Math proficiency rates (6.47% and 7.57%, respectively). For elementary schools, Highgate Elementary is a remarkable success story, achieving the highest test scores in the entire dataset (79.14% ELA, 68.39% Math) despite a moderate free/reduced lunch rate (44.81%). Ronald Reagan Elementary and Downtown Elementary also perform exceptionally well, with the latter having the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the city (1.6%).

A key takeaway is the strong link between poverty and performance, as schools with high free/reduced lunch rates consistently have lower test scores and graduation rates. However, bright spots like W. A. Kendrick Elementary and Cesar E. Chavez Elementary defy this trend, achieving above-average scores despite high poverty levels. District performance also varies widely, with the Norris Elementary and Rosedale Union Elementary districts consistently outperforming the Bakersfield City and Standard Elementary districts. Across all schools, Math proficiency (average 24.5%) lags significantly behind English (average 39.8%), highlighting a systemic challenge in mathematics education throughout the city.