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Average

#4865 of 9,533 schools in CA

South High

High School · Kern High

1101 Planz Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93304

Enrollment

2,150

Student-Teacher

23.4:1

Score

6.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bakersfield

#45 of 145

public schools

California high schools

#1,018 of 1,892

In district

#8 of 24

Kern High

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About South High

South High serves 2,150 students in grades 9-12 in Bakersfield, California, making it a large comprehensive high school with a student-teacher ratio of 23.4:1 and 92 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 54th percentile statewide, placing #4445 out of 9566 California schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. Academically, South High shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 61% of students perform at proficient or above levels across grade levels.

Mathematics presents an area with significant room for growth, with 14% of students reaching proficiency. These results reflect the broader educational landscape in a community where economic factors play a significant role in student outcomes. The school draws from the 93304 neighborhood, which has a median household income of $50,334 and a poverty rate of 26%.

With only 12% of local residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, South High serves many first-generation college-bound students. The surrounding area features affordable housing with a median home value of $209,500, reflecting its working-class character. South High operates within Bakersfield's large urban setting, serving as an important educational anchor for its diverse community of over 50,000 residents.

What Parents Should Know

South High is a large school with 2,150 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 South High is 23.4:1, 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 Progress9.5Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.27 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics7.9Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.6%
Math vs. State Avg-13.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.7 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected+18.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College Readiness2.8Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,957

South High — Students at South High score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 15.9%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 62.8%
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
19%
ELA
40%
2021*
ELA
90%
2024
Math
14.4%
ELA
60.6%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How South High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in CA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
92 teachers

Location

1101 Planz Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93304

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. W. A. Kendrick Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Leo G. Pauly Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Vista Continuation High (rated 7.0/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bakersfield, see our Bakersfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Prosperity Elementary Bakersfield 0.3 mi 4.9
Leo G. Pauly Elementary Bakersfield 0.5 mi 7.4
Planz Elementary Bakersfield 0.7 mi 3.9
Nigritian Academy Bakersfield 0.8 mi
Greenfield Middle Bakersfield 1.0 mi 6.9
Frank West Elementary Bakersfield 1.0 mi 5.8
Wayside Elementary Bakersfield 1.1 mi 5.7
Greenfield Community Bakersfield 1.2 mi
Amy B. Seibert Elementary Bakersfield 1.2 mi 2.9
Raffaello Palla Elementary Bakersfield 1.4 mi 3.6
W. A. Kendrick Elementary Bakersfield 1.3 mi 8.0
Sequoia Jr. High Bakersfield 1.7 mi 4.4
Casa Loma Elementary Bakersfield 1.5 mi 6.6
Evergreen Elementary Bakersfield 1.7 mi 5.4
Fairview Elementary Bakersfield 1.8 mi 5.8
Connections Academy By Pearson Bakersfield 1.7 mi
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary Bakersfield 2.0 mi 4.9
Vista Continuation High Bakersfield 2.4 mi 7.0
Roosevelt Elementary Bakersfield 2.4 mi 5.4
Valle Verde Elementary Bakersfield 2.4 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93304 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,627

Median Home Value

$228,800

Median Rent

$1,141/mo

Population

51,457

College Educated

11.1%

Homeownership

43.5%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

27.4%

Median Age

29.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding South High has a median household income of $51,627. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $228,800, with a median rent of $1,141/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.4%, 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
California High San Ramon, CA 6.3
Colony High Ontario, CA 6.3
Eastside High Lancaster, CA 6.3
Greenfield High Greenfield, CA 6.3
Lathrop High Manteca, CA 6.3
Liberty High Brentwood, CA 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South High

What grades does South High serve?

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

How many students attend South High?

South High has an enrollment of approximately 2,150 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South High?

The student-teacher ratio at South High is 23.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South High rank in CA?

South High is ranked #4865 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is South High's MySchoolScout rating?

South High has a composite rating of 6.3 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 South High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South High has 15.9% math proficiency and 62.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South High a charter school?

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

Is South High a Title I school?

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

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

96.7% of students at South 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
41 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
55 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
2,150
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
92
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.7%
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
#8 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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