Located in Bakersfield, CA. Serving grades KG through 06.
Caroline Harris Elementary is a regular public school serving kindergarten through sixth grade in Bakersfield, California. The school enrolls a relatively small population for its grade band, with representation across all seven grades from early elementary through middle grades.
The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial Black population and smaller shares of White and Asian students. A very large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the neighborhood's economic circumstances. Specific enrollment counts for students receiving special education services or identified as English learners were not available in the data provided.
On California's state assessments, Caroline Harris shows low proficiency rates across tested subjects and grade levels. In mathematics, proficiency ranges from the early teens to around the high twenties across grades three through six, with grade five performing the lowest. English language arts results are somewhat stronger, with proficiency in grade five reaching above the mid-forties and other grades clustering in the late twenties to mid-thirties. A science assessment was administered only in grade five, where proficiency fell in the low twenties. Across all tested grades and subjects combined, the school's overall proficiency sits above the median when compared to other elementary schools in Kern County, though the absolute proficiency rates remain low statewide. The school has only one year of current assessment data, so year-to-year trend information is not yet available.
Bakersfield itself is a rapidly growing mid-sized city shaped by agriculture, energy, and healthcare, with a relatively affordable housing market compared to much of California. The city is largely car-dependent, though its downtown core is walkable and anchored by civic institutions, museums, and restaurants. Neighborhoods range from upscale subdivisions to historic districts, and the city has been adding substantial new residential development. The Kern River Parkway provides a long ribbon of trails for walking and cycling.
Bakersfield City School District, the parent district, is the largest elementary school district in California and spans 45 schools. The district recently approved a resolution supporting the development of ethnic studies coursework integrated across subjects to connect students with their cultural and community backgrounds. The district is also implementing a new smartphone use policy for the 2026-2027 school year in compliance with California's Phone-Free Schools Act, and in October 2025 revised its policy to allow parents to opt their children out of instruction that conflicts with their religious beliefs, following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision. These shifts reflect evolving district priorities around curriculum, classroom environment, and family choice.
A parent considering Caroline Harris would be choosing a neighborhood elementary school serving a high-poverty, predominantly Hispanic community. The school's low proficiency rates suggest significant academic challenges that a family may want to explore further with school staff, both in terms of how the school approaches literacy and math instruction and what supports are available for students who are not yet meeting grade-level benchmarks.
Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.
Officially reported figures, 2024-25.
All reported measures, by topic.