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Very Good

#3481 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 37% in state

South High

High School · Kern High

1101 Planz Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93304

Enrollment

2,150

Student-Teacher

23.4:1

Score

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#3,481 of 9,539

In Bakersfield

#37 of 145

public schools

In district

#1 of 24

Kern High

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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South High

7.0/10

High School in Bakersfield · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Prosperity Elementary

4.1/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Leo G. Pauly Elementary

7.2/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About South High

South High is a public high school in Bakersfield, CA, part of Kern High. South High serves approximately 2,150 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 23.4:1 student-teacher ratio. South High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #3,481 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for South High show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.3 pts above district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 5.7
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

South High is a large school: 2,150 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

South High runs 23.4:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.38 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.9Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-13.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.7 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+17.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College Readiness5.2Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%
AP Participation7.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,536
Chronic Absenteeism23.3%

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 29.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 51.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 28 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
42%
ELA
39%
2010
Math
48%
ELA
48%
2011
Math
46%
ELA
38%
2012
Math
46%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
43%
2014
Math
15%
ELA
19%
2015
Math
24%
ELA
58%
2016
Math
25%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
21%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
19%
ELA
40%
2019
Math
19%
ELA
40%
2020*
ELA
90%
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: 8.9/10.

How South High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
64th percentile in CA
Academic
7.9/10
Very Good
Growth
8.9/10
Excellent
Environment
6.0/10
Average
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.6
Sports
19
9 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
92 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
7.9% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics19sports offered
9 boys'·10 girls'·35 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.6/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Leo G. Pauly Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Greenfield Middle (rated 7.1/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 4.1
Leo G. Pauly Elementary Bakersfield 0.5 mi 7.2
Planz Elementary Bakersfield 0.7 mi 4.5
Nigritian Academy Bakersfield 0.8 mi
Greenfield Middle Bakersfield 1.0 mi 7.1
Frank West Elementary Bakersfield 1.0 mi 6.8
Wayside Elementary Bakersfield 1.1 mi 3.8
Greenfield Community Bakersfield 1.2 mi
Amy B. Seibert Elementary Bakersfield 1.2 mi 4.2
Raffaello Palla Elementary Bakersfield 1.4 mi 6.2
W. A. Kendrick Elementary Bakersfield 1.3 mi 8.6
Sequoia Jr. High Bakersfield 1.7 mi 4.8
Casa Loma Elementary Bakersfield 1.5 mi 4.7
Evergreen Elementary Bakersfield 1.7 mi 4.3
Fairview Elementary Bakersfield 1.8 mi 5.5
Connections Academy By Pearson Bakersfield 1.7 mi
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary Bakersfield 2.0 mi 6.9
Vista Continuation High Bakersfield 2.4 mi 4.3
Roosevelt Elementary Bakersfield 2.4 mi 6.4
Valle Verde Elementary Bakersfield 2.4 mi 6.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Agoura High Agoura, CA 7.0
El Modena High Orange, CA 7.0
Glendora High Glendora, CA 7.0
Hawthorne High Hawthorne, CA 7.0
Martin Luther King Jr. High Riverside, CA 7.0
Mission Oak High Tulare, CA 7.0

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 ranks #3,481 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is South High's MySchoolScout rating?

South High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at South High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South High has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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
42 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.3%
4-Year Graduation
90.0%

District

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

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