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Below Average

#8330 of 9,533 schools in CA

West High

High School · Kern High

1200 New Stine Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93309

Enrollment

2,090

Student-Teacher

28.6:1

Score

4.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bakersfield

#118 of 145

public schools

California high schools

#1,751 of 1,892

In district

#20 of 24

Kern High

About West High

West High serves 2,090 students in grades 9-12 in Bakersfield, California, making it one of the larger high schools in Kern County. With 73 full-time equivalent teachers, the school operates with a student-teacher ratio of 28.6:1, reflecting the demands of serving a substantial student body. Academically, West High has significant room for growth, with 38% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 14% meeting standards in mathematics.

The school ranks in the 21st percentile among California high schools, indicating ongoing challenges in student achievement that the school community continues to address. Located on New Stine Road, West High draws from the surrounding 93309 zip code area, where families have a median household income of $59,828 and median home values around $268,800. The neighborhood reflects a working-class community, with 21% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 17.1%.

As a regular public high school in Bakersfield, West High serves students from diverse backgrounds in this Central Valley community. The school operates within Bakersfield's large city environment, providing comprehensive high school education to families in this established residential area of Kern County.

What Parents Should Know

West High is a large school with 2,090 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 West High is 28.6:1, 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 Progress6.7Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.0Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.2%
Math vs. State Avg-13.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.7 pts
Overall Proficiency26%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected+4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
College Readiness2.7Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio28.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,957

West High — Students at West High score 26% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 14.0%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 52.4%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 7 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
13%
ELA
43%
2021*
ELA
90%
2024
Math
14.4%
ELA
38.2%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How West High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
13th percentile in CA
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
29:1 student-teacher ratio
73 teachers

Location

1200 New Stine Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93309

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Louise Sandrini Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Quailwood Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Munsey Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bakersfield, see our Bakersfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Kern Workforce 2000 Academy Bakersfield 0.3 mi 6.6
O. J. Actis Junior High Bakersfield 0.7 mi 5.4
Stine Elementary Bakersfield 0.8 mi 5.5
Curran Middle Bakersfield 0.8 mi 5.5
Wayne Van Horn Elementary Bakersfield 1.0 mi 5.5
Munsey Elementary Bakersfield 0.9 mi 6.8
Charles H. Castle Elementary Bakersfield 1.1 mi 3.1
Fred L. Thompson Junior High Bakersfield 1.3 mi 5.2
STOCKDALE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bakersfield 1.4 mi 6.0
Connections Academy By Pearson Bakersfield 1.3 mi
Oppimista School Bakersfield 1.5 mi
Caroline Harris Elementary Bakersfield 1.6 mi 5.0
Valley Achievement Center Bakersfield 1.4 mi
VALLEY ACHIEVEMENT CENTER Bakersfield 1.4 mi
Louise Sandrini Elementary Bakersfield 1.7 mi 7.8
Evergreen Elementary Bakersfield 1.5 mi 5.4
Quailwood Elementary Bakersfield 1.7 mi 7.5
Amy B. Seibert Elementary Bakersfield 1.7 mi 2.9
Stockdale Elementary Bakersfield 1.7 mi 5.0
Laurelglen Elementary Bakersfield 1.8 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93309 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,143

Median Home Value

$286,600

Median Rent

$1,268/mo

Population

63,989

College Educated

19.9%

Homeownership

48.3%

Avg Commute

22.2 min

Poverty Rate

17%

Median Age

31.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding West High has a median household income of $62,143. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $286,600, with a median rent of $1,268/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.0%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL San Diego, CA 4.5
Fairfield High Fairfield, CA 4.5
JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL San Juan Capistrano, CA 4.5
Justin Garza High Fresno, CA 4.5
Lincoln High Stockton, CA 4.5
Mira Monte High Bakersfield, CA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West High

What grades does West High serve?

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

How many students attend West High?

West High has an enrollment of approximately 2,090 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West High?

The student-teacher ratio at West High is 28.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West High rank in CA?

West High is ranked #8330 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is West High's MySchoolScout rating?

West High has a composite rating of 4.5 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 West High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West High has 14.0% math proficiency and 52.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West High a charter school?

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

Is West High a Title I school?

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

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

92.2% of students at West 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
51 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
45 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
2,090
Student-Teacher Ratio
28.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
73
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.2%
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
#20 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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