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
Enrollment
2,543
Student-Teacher
24:1
Score
5.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Highland High — Students at Highland High score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 7 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 23% (2019) to 16.11% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 51.14% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (661) 872-2777
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kern High- District Enrollment
- 43,116
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,536
- District Rank
- #16 of 24
Other Schools in This District
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.
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