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Average

#4622 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 49% in state

Golden Valley High

High School · Kern High

801 Hosking Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93307

Enrollment

2,365

Student-Teacher

24.1:1

Score

6.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bakersfield

#43 of 145

public schools

California high schools

#954 of 1,892

In district

#6 of 24

Kern High

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Golden Valley High

Golden Valley High serves 2,365 students in grades 9-12 in Bakersfield, California, operating as a regular public high school with 98 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 24.1:1. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks in the 58th percentile among California high schools. Academically, Golden Valley High shows mixed performance with notable strengths in English Language Arts, where 63% of students score proficient or above across grade levels.

Mathematics presents opportunities for growth, with 19% of students achieving proficiency. The school's academic score of 6.4 out of 10 reflects its commitment to serving a diverse student population with room for continued improvement. The school draws from a working-class community in the 93307 ZIP code, where the median household income is $50,157 and median home value stands at $220,400.

With 8% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 26.7%, Golden Valley High serves many first-generation college-bound students in an area with significant economic challenges. Located on Hosking Avenue, Golden Valley High sits within Bakersfield's large city environment, providing students with access to urban resources while serving a community that values educational opportunity and growth.

What Parents Should Know

Golden Valley High is a large school with 2,365 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 Golden Valley High is 24.1:1, 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 Progress9.6Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics8.2Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.7%
Math vs. State Avg-9.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.8 pts
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected+18.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
College Readiness3.3Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,957

Golden Valley High — Students at Golden Valley High score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 17.6%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 63.1%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 7 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
15%
ELA
50%
2021*
ELA
77%
2024
Math
19%
ELA
62.7%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Golden Valley High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
52th percentile in CA
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
98 teachers

Location

801 Hosking Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93307

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Golden Valley High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. W. A. Kendrick Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Stonecreek Junior High (rated 7.4/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Leo G. Pauly Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bakersfield, see our Bakersfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Horizon Elementary Bakersfield 0.3 mi 4.7
McKee Middle Bakersfield 0.5 mi 6.5
Leon H. Ollivier Middle Bakersfield 0.6 mi 6.8
Valle Verde Elementary Bakersfield 0.7 mi 5.6
Raffaello Palla Elementary Bakersfield 1.7 mi 3.6
Dolores S. Whitley TK-8 Bakersfield 1.5 mi 7.0
Granite Pointe Elementary Bakersfield 1.6 mi 4.8
Greenfield Community Bakersfield 1.9 mi
Fairview Elementary Bakersfield 1.8 mi 5.8
Greenfield Middle Bakersfield 2.1 mi 6.9
Del Oro High Bakersfield 1.9 mi
W. A. Kendrick Elementary Bakersfield 2.2 mi 8.0
Berkshire Elementary Bakersfield 2.1 mi 3.4
Nigritian Academy Bakersfield 2.5 mi
Stonecreek Junior High Bakersfield 2.1 mi 7.4
Prosperity Elementary Bakersfield 2.7 mi 4.9
Roy W. Loudon Elementary Bakersfield 2.5 mi 3.8
South High Bakersfield 3.1 mi 6.3
Leo G. Pauly Elementary Bakersfield 3.1 mi 7.4
Panama Elementary Bakersfield 2.7 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93307 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,572

Median Home Value

$238,400

Median Rent

$1,195/mo

Population

88,233

College Educated

7%

Homeownership

46.9%

Avg Commute

23.6 min

Poverty Rate

24.9%

Median Age

27.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Golden Valley High has a median household income of $52,572. It is a community where 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $238,400, with a median rent of $1,195/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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
American Canyon High American Canyon, CA 6.4
Arroyo Valley High San Bernardino, CA 6.4
Buena High Ventura, CA 6.4
Century High Santa Ana, CA 6.4
Folsom High Folsom, CA 6.4
James A. Garfield Senior High Los Angeles, CA 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Golden Valley High

What grades does Golden Valley High serve?

Golden Valley High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Golden Valley High?

Golden Valley High has an enrollment of approximately 2,365 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Golden Valley High?

The student-teacher ratio at Golden Valley High is 24.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Golden Valley High rank in CA?

Golden Valley High is ranked #4622 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Golden Valley High's MySchoolScout rating?

Golden Valley High has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Golden Valley High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Golden Valley High has 17.6% math proficiency and 63.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Golden Valley High a charter school?

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

Is Golden Valley High a Title I school?

No, Golden Valley High is not currently a Title I school.

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

92.1% of students at Golden Valley 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
12 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
32 Somewhat 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
2,365
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
98
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.1%
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
#6 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

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