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Average

#7586 of 9,533 schools in CA

Highland High

High School · Kern High

2900 Royal Scots Way, Bakersfield, CA 93306

Enrollment

2,543

Student-Teacher

24:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bakersfield

#95 of 145

public schools

California high schools

#1,607 of 1,892

In district

#16 of 24

Kern High

About Highland High

Highland High serves 2,543 students in grades 9-12 in Bakersfield, California, operating as a large comprehensive public high school with a student-teacher ratio of 24:1 across 106 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 42nd percentile among California high schools, earning a 5.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. Academically, Highland High shows mixed performance with 51% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts, while mathematics presents an area with significant room for growth at 16% proficiency.

These results reflect opportunities for continued focus on student development and academic support across core subjects. The school draws from a diverse community in the 93306 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $66,060 and median home values average $265,600. With 17% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 19%, Highland High serves families from varied socioeconomic backgrounds who are working toward educational advancement for their children.

Located on Royal Scots Way in Kern County, Highland High operates within Bakersfield's large city environment, providing students access to the resources and opportunities that come with an urban setting while serving as an important educational hub for local families.

What Parents Should Know

Highland High is a large school with 2,543 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 Highland High is 24:1, 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 Progress4.0Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.01 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.1%
Math vs. State Avg-11.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.8 pts
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected+5.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College Readiness4.3Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation17.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,957

Highland High — Students at Highland High score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 18.4%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 60.1%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 7 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
23%
ELA
63%
2021*
ELA
75%
2024
Math
16.1%
ELA
51.1%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Highland High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
20th percentile in CA
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
106 teachers

Location

2900 Royal Scots Way, Bakersfield, CA 93306

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Chipman Junior High (rated 7.0/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pioneer Drive Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Compton Junior High (rated 6.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bakersfield, see our Bakersfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Chipman Junior High Bakersfield 0.2 mi 7.0
Henry Eissler Elementary Bakersfield 0.3 mi 4.6
NIGRITIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield 0.5 mi
Dr. Juliet Thorner Elementary Bakersfield 1.0 mi 3.9
Compton Junior High Bakersfield 1.2 mi 6.4
Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary Bakersfield 1.2 mi 6.2
Harding Elementary Bakersfield 1.3 mi 5.3
BAKERSFIELD ADVENTIST ACADEMY Bakersfield 1.5 mi 6.0
Bakersfield Adventist Academy Bakersfield 1.5 mi
Hort Elementary Bakersfield 1.7 mi 4.8
Walter Stiern Middle Bakersfield 1.7 mi 5.0
Pioneer Drive Elementary Bakersfield 2.1 mi 6.8
Tehillah Christian Academy Bakersfield 1.9 mi
Horace Mann Elementary Bakersfield 2.1 mi 5.4
Sierra Middle Bakersfield 2.2 mi 5.6
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Bakersfield 2.0 mi 5.8
Ramon Garza Elementary Bakersfield 2.3 mi 6.1
Voorhies Elementary Bakersfield 2.4 mi 5.0
East Bakersfield High Bakersfield 2.3 mi 5.9
College Heights Elementary Bakersfield 2.2 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93306 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,988

Median Home Value

$290,700

Median Rent

$1,219/mo

Population

73,370

College Educated

18.2%

Homeownership

63.3%

Avg Commute

24.6 min

Poverty Rate

20.6%

Median Age

32.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highland High has a median household income of $66,988. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $290,700, with a median rent of $1,219/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Deer Valley High Antioch, CA 5.0
Hoover High San Diego, CA 5.0
Lompoc High Lompoc, CA 5.0
Mayfair High Bellflower, CA 5.0
Moorpark High Moorpark, CA 5.0
Polytechnic High Riverside, CA 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland High

What grades does Highland High serve?

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

How many students attend Highland High?

Highland High has an enrollment of approximately 2,543 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland High?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland High is 24:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland High rank in CA?

Highland High is ranked #7586 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Highland High's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland High has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Highland High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland High has 18.4% math proficiency and 60.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Highland High a charter school?

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

Is Highland High a Title I school?

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

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

82.0% of students at Highland 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
30 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
25 Some Transit
Bike Score
38 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
2,543
Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1
Teachers (FTE)
106
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.0%
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
#16 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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