Average
#7539 of 9,533 schools in CA
Walter Stiern Middle
Middle School · Bakersfield City
2551 Morning Dr., Bakersfield, CA 93306
Enrollment
783
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
5.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
783
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
5.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bakersfield
#91 of 145
public schools
California middle schools
#1,126 of 1,349
In district
#29 of 44
Bakersfield City
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Walter Stiern Middle
Walter Stiern Middle is a public middle school serving grades 6 through 8 in Bakersfield, California. Located at 2551 Morning Dr. in a rural area near town, the school has an enrollment of 783 students with a student-teacher ratio of 21.8:1 and 36 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school is currently experiencing significant academic challenges with room for growth.
In English language arts, 25% of students are performing at or above proficient levels across the grade span, while mathematics proficiency stands at 11%. These performance levels indicate that Walter Stiern Middle is focusing on strengthening its instructional programs and student support systems. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and California state ranking in the 8th percentile reflect areas where the school is working to improve outcomes for its student population.
For families considering Walter Stiern Middle, it's important to understand the school's current academic standing and to discuss with school leadership what specific initiatives and support systems are in place to help students improve their skills and achievement. The school serves the rural Bakersfield community and provides middle-grade education within the Kern County area.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Walter Stiern Middle is 21.8:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Walter Stiern Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Walter Stiern Middle — Students at Walter Stiern Middle score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.5/10.
How Walter Stiern Middle Compares
See how Walter Stiern Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 18% (2019) to 9.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 23.91% (2024).
Location
2551 Morning Dr., Bakersfield, CA 93306
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Walter Stiern Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Paul L. Cato Middle (rated 7.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chipman Junior High (rated 7.0/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Compton Junior High (rated 6.4/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bakersfield, see our Bakersfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hort Elementary Bakersfield | 0.3 mi | 4.8 |
| The Shepherd's Academy Bakersfield | 0.9 mi | — |
| Voorhies Elementary Bakersfield | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Foothill High Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Paul L. Cato Middle Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Dr. Douglas K. Fletcher Elementary Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Orangewood Elementary Bakersfield | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Dr. Juliet Thorner Elementary Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Pioneer Drive Elementary Bakersfield | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Highland High Bakersfield | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Chipman Junior High Bakersfield | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Henry Eissler Elementary Bakersfield | 1.9 mi | 4.6 |
| NIGRITIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield | 1.9 mi | — |
| Cesar E. Chavez Elementary Bakersfield | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Compton Junior High Bakersfield | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Sierra Middle Bakersfield | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Virginia Avenue Elementary Bakersfield | 2.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Harding Elementary Bakersfield | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Shirley Lane Elementary Bakersfield | 2.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Ramon Garza Elementary Bakersfield | 2.4 mi | 6.1 |
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 Walter Stiern Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Almeria Middle Fontana, CA | 5.0 |
| Aptos Junior High Aptos, CA | 5.0 |
| Brookhurst Junior High Anaheim, CA | 5.0 |
| CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREPARATORY MIDDLE SCHOOL Chatsworth, CA | 5.0 |
| Cardozo Middle Riverbank, CA | 5.0 |
| Crescent Elk Middle Crescent City, CA | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Walter Stiern Middle
What grades does Walter Stiern Middle serve?
Walter Stiern Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Walter Stiern Middle?
Walter Stiern Middle has an enrollment of approximately 783 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Walter Stiern Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Walter Stiern Middle is 21.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Walter Stiern Middle rank in CA?
Walter Stiern Middle is ranked #7539 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Walter Stiern Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Walter Stiern Middle 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 Walter Stiern Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walter Stiern Middle has 11.2% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Walter Stiern Middle a charter school?
No, Walter Stiern Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Walter Stiern Middle a Title I school?
No, Walter Stiern Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walter Stiern Middle?
91.7% of students at Walter Stiern Middle 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
- City Safety
- High (3,028/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bakersfield). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 783
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (661) 631-5480
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bakersfield City- District Enrollment
- 28,761
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,155
- District Rank
- #29 of 44
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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