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Elementary Schools in Bakersfield, California

Near Average2024–25 data124 schools · avg 40.2/100

Bakersfield, California has 124 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 40.2/100 — 3.6 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Highgate Elementary at 71/100, where 48.5% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Bakersfield schools average 14.7% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 16.0% (below the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
40.2
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
45.9
25.1 – 71.0
Avg Exceeded %
14.7%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
16.0%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
124
With Scope Scores

How Bakersfield schools compare

Bakersfield's 124 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 40.2 — 3.6 points below the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 25.1 to 71.0, a 45.9-point spread.

The top-ranked school is Highgate Elementary with a Scope Score of 71 and 48.5% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in Bakersfield averages 16.0%, which is above the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Scope Score weights exceeded (40%), met (22%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), suspension (5%), ELPAC (5%), baseline (3%)

School archetypes in Bakersfield

27 Culture First5 Strong All-Around68 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

Schools in Bakersfield ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolExceededScore
1Highgate Elementary
Panama-Buena Vista Union Strong All-Around
48.5%Strong
71/100
2Stockdale High
Kern High Building Momentum
33.3%Solid
67/100
3Frontier High
Kern High Building Momentum
24.7%Solid
61/100
4William B. Bimat Elementary
Norris Elementary Strong All-Around
32.2%Solid
61/100
5W. A. Kendrick Elementary
Greenfield Union Strong All-Around
35.0%Solid
59/100
6Liberty High
Kern High Strong All-Around
22.2%Solid
59/100
7Ronald Reagan Elementary
Panama-Buena Vista Union Strong All-Around
37.4%Solid
59/100
8Del Rio Elementary
Rosedale Union Elementary Culture First
25.8%Solid
57/100
9Centennial High
Kern High Building Momentum
23.0%Solid
56/100
10Independence High
Kern High Building Momentum
18.7%Solid
55/100
11Stockdale Elementary
Panama-Buena Vista Union Building Momentum
32.2%Solid
55/100
12Norris Elementary
Norris Elementary Culture First
22.8%Solid
52/100
13Golden Valley High
Kern High Building Momentum
14.4%Solid
51/100
14Highland High
Kern High Building Momentum
12.2%Solid
51/100
15Buena Vista Elementary
Panama-Buena Vista Union Culture First
26.2%Solid
51/100
16Fruitvale Junior High
Fruitvale Elementary Culture First
21.9%Solid
51/100
17Veterans Elementary
Norris Elementary Culture First
24.5%Developing
50/100
18Olive Drive Elementary
Norris Elementary Culture First
22.5%Developing
50/100
19Centennial Elementary
Rosedale Union Elementary Culture First
24.0%Developing
49/100
20Rosedale-North Elementary
Rosedale Union Elementary Culture First
19.8%Developing
49/100
21Independence Elementary
Rosedale Union Elementary Culture First
21.7%Developing
49/100
22Downtown Elementary
Bakersfield City Culture First
22.3%Developing
48/100
23Endeavour Elementary
Fruitvale Elementary Culture First
26.6%Developing
48/100
24American Elementary
Rosedale Union Elementary Culture First
23.4%Developing
47/100
25Ridgeview High
Kern High Building Momentum
12.0%Developing
47/100
26South High
Kern High Building Momentum
14.3%Developing
47/100
27Discovery Elementary
Fruitvale Elementary Culture First
20.1%Developing
46/100
28Paul L. Cato Middle
Bakersfield City Building Momentum
16.6%Developing
46/100
29Quailwood Elementary
Fruitvale Elementary Culture First
17.8%Developing
46/100
30Del Oro High
Kern High Building Momentum
6.6%Developing
46/100

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

Private Schools in Bakersfield

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

Bakersfield Christian High School
Presbyterian · Grades 9-12 · 622 students
18:1Private
Stockdale Christian School
Brethren · Grades Pre-K-8 · 423 students
15:1Private
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 297 students
14:1Private
Olive Knolls Christian School
Church of Christ · Grades Pre-K-8 · 272 students
16:1Private
Heritage Christian Schools
Lutheran (Missouri Synod) · Grades Pre-K-8 · 221 students
16:1Private

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Bakersfield

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Bakersfield good?
Bakersfield's 124 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 40.2/100, which is 3.6 points below the California state average of 43.8. 14.7% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Bakersfield?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Bakersfield is Highgate Elementary with a Scope Score of 71/100 and 48.5% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Bakersfield schools compare to the state average?
Bakersfield elementary schools average a Scope Score of 40.2 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (3.6 points below). The exceeded rate averages 14.7% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 16.0% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 25.1 to 71.0, a 45.9-point spread.
How many schools are in Bakersfield?
Bakersfield has 124 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.

Related

All California SchoolsTop Schools in BakersfieldPanama-Buena Vista UnionKern HighNorris ElementaryGreenfield UnionRosedale Union ElementaryFruitvale ElementaryBakersfield CityGeneral Shafter ElementaryFairfax ElementaryKern County Office of EducationBeardsley ElementaryStandard ElementaryLakeside UnionVineland Elementary

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