Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#9184 of 9,533 schools in CA

Bakersfield High

High School · Kern High

1241 G St., Bakersfield, CA 93301

Enrollment

3,024

Student-Teacher

25.2:1

Score

3.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bakersfield

#138 of 145

public schools

California high schools

#1,863 of 1,892

In district

#24 of 24

Kern High

About Bakersfield High

Bakersfield High serves 3,024 students in grades 9-12 in Bakersfield, California, making it one of the larger high schools in Kern County. With 120 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.2:1, providing educational opportunities within a sizable urban school environment. Academically, Bakersfield High has room for growth, with 35% of students performing proficiently in English Language Arts and 12% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.

The school ranks in the 17th percentile among California high schools, indicating opportunities for continued focus on student academic development and support systems. Located at 1241 G Street, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $37,294 and 17% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood reflects the challenges and resilience of many working-class communities, with a poverty rate of 39.7% and median home values around $227,300.

As a regular public school in this large Central Valley city, Bakersfield High plays an important role in providing educational opportunities for students from various backgrounds, working to prepare them for their next steps after graduation in a community-centered urban setting.

What's said publicly about Bakersfield High

Sources: School's website Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.

Bakersfield High School (BHS) is a public four-year high school located in Bakersfield, California, serving grades nine through twelve within the Kern High School District 2 . The school opened in 1893, a date that marks the founding of the district itself 1 2 . The district's mission is to provide programs and services that allow all students to graduate prepared for success in the workplace and at the post-secondary level 1 . The school community engages in various events, including a weekly newsletter called "S'More" and a daily bulletin for announcements 1 . Upcoming events include "Drillerpalooza," an orientation for incoming freshmen scheduled for March 16, and "Kern High Day" on January 9, 2026, which honors the district's history 1 . Other activities include a Winter Formal titled "A Night at Gatsby's" at El Tango Reception Hall, a Prism Concert, and a senior car wash 1 .
Sources (2)
  1. bakersfield.kernhigh.org
  2. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

Bakersfield High is a large school with 3,024 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at Bakersfield High is 25.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.84 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency35%
Math vs. State Avg-15.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.9 pts
Overall Proficiency24%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected-3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness2.8Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,957

Bakersfield High — Students at Bakersfield High score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 15.1%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 53.3%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
19%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
90%
2024
Math
12.2%
ELA
35%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.7/10.

How Bakersfield High Compares

See how Bakersfield High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.6/10
4th percentile in CA
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
2.7/10
Below average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
120 teachers

Location

1241 G St., Bakersfield, CA 93301

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bakersfield High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Vista Continuation High (rated 7.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Valley Oaks Charter (rated 7.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kern County Community (rated 6.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bakersfield, see our Bakersfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
William Penn Elementary Bakersfield 0.4 mi 4.1
Kern County Special Education Bakersfield 0.5 mi 5.6
Kern County Community Bakersfield 0.5 mi 6.5
Kern County Juvenile Court Bakersfield 0.5 mi 6.1
Franklin Elementary Bakersfield 0.5 mi 4.9
Rafer Johnson Bakersfield 0.6 mi 5.5
Downtown Elementary Bakersfield 0.7 mi 5.0
St. Francis Bakersfield 0.7 mi
AGAPELAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield 0.8 mi 4.0
Roosevelt Elementary Bakersfield 0.9 mi 5.4
Emerson Middle Bakersfield 0.9 mi 6.4
McKinley Elementary Bakersfield 1.0 mi 4.6
Vista Continuation High Bakersfield 1.1 mi 7.0
Valley Oaks Charter Bakersfield 1.5 mi 7.0
Sequoia Jr. High Bakersfield 1.6 mi 4.4
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL Bakersfield 1.4 mi 6.2
Caroline Harris Elementary Bakersfield 1.4 mi 5.0
Stella I. Hills Elementary Bakersfield 1.8 mi 5.3
Evergreen Elementary Bakersfield 1.8 mi 5.4
Fremont Elementary Bakersfield 1.6 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$40,725

Median Home Value

$264,300

Median Rent

$1,129/mo

Population

14,026

College Educated

19.7%

Homeownership

38.7%

Avg Commute

22.8 min

Poverty Rate

38.8%

Median Age

34.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bakersfield High has a median household income of $40,725. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $264,300, with a median rent of $1,129/month. The area has a poverty rate of 38.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Golden West High Visalia, CA 3.7
Liberty High Winchester, CA 3.8
Alta Vista Innovation High Hesperia, CA 3.9
Options for Youth-Acton Covina, CA 3.3
Assurance Learning Academy Lancaster, CA 4.0
Foothill High Bakersfield, CA 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bakersfield High

What grades does Bakersfield High serve?

Bakersfield High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Bakersfield High?

Bakersfield High has an enrollment of approximately 3,024 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bakersfield High?

The student-teacher ratio at Bakersfield High is 25.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bakersfield High rank in CA?

Bakersfield High is ranked #9184 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Bakersfield High's MySchoolScout rating?

Bakersfield High has a composite rating of 3.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bakersfield High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bakersfield High has 15.1% math proficiency and 53.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bakersfield High a charter school?

No, Bakersfield High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bakersfield High a Title I school?

No, Bakersfield High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bakersfield High?

84.2% of students at Bakersfield High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
78 Very Walkable
Transit Score
46 Some Transit
Bike Score
61 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,028/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bakersfield). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
3,024
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
120
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Kern County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Kern High
District Enrollment
43,116
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,536
District Rank
#24 of 24

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.