High Schools in Southern Kern Unified

This analysis covers two high schools within the Southern Kern Unified school district, a rural district ranking in the bottom 11% in California, which together serve about 976 students in grades 9-12.

For families, Rosamond High Early College Campus is the district's comprehensive high school and demonstrates stronger outcomes, including a 92% graduation rate that exceeds the state average, though academic proficiency, especially in math, remains below state levels. In contrast, Rare Earth High (Continuation) serves a small population of at-risk students with significantly higher dropout rates and severe chronic absenteeism, despite receiving more funding per student.

Key takeaways are that the district faces significant challenges common to high-poverty areas, with mathematics being a particular area of concern across both schools. Rosamond High's early college program appears beneficial for graduation rates, while the extreme attendance and engagement issues at Rare Earth High highlight the specialized challenges of alternative education. Overall, while one school performs adequately within its challenging context, the district as a whole lags behind state averages.