Amy B. Seibert Elementary, Bakersfield CA

Original Research by School Decision on Amy B. Seibert Elementary

Amy B. Seibert Elementary serves kindergarten through sixth grade in southwest Bakersfield, where the city is growing rapidly and housing remains relatively affordable compared to much of California. The school enrolls a small student body in a neighborhood that is majority Hispanic and predominantly low-income, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.

On California's state assessments, proficiency at Seibert runs well below the midpoint among the county's districts. In English language arts, proficiency across tested grades sits in the bottom quartile for Kern County schools. Math proficiency is lower still. Fifth-grade science proficiency is similarly low. These results reflect real academic gaps. Reading and math are foundational, and the data shows that most students are not meeting grade-level standards in either subject. A parent considering this school should ask the principal directly what interventions are in place for students who are not yet proficient and what supports exist for families who want to help at home.

The school's enrollment is relatively small and stable across its grade bands, with slightly higher numbers in the upper elementary grades. Data on English learners and students receiving special education services was not available, so a family with students in either category would want to check with the school on what services are offered and how robust those programs are.

Bakersfield itself is among California's fastest-growing large cities, with active development downtown and in southeast neighborhoods. The area around Agate Street, where Seibert sits, is part of the broader southwest Bakersfield growth corridor. Housing in the zip code remains affordable relative to state benchmarks, though property values and rents are rising modestly. The Panama-Buena Vista Union School District, Seibert's parent district, approved a significant bond measure in 2022 to address aging facilities, and the district is opening a new TK-8 school for the 2025-26 school year, which may trigger attendance boundary changes affecting existing schools. A family moving to the area should verify current boundaries with the district and stay informed about any shifts that could affect school assignments.

The neighborhood is car-dependent, as most of Bakersfield is, though the city's Kern River Parkway and network of parks to the east offer outdoor access, and local transit via Golden Empire Transit is available. Downtown Bakersfield is a short drive away and is undergoing revitalization with dining and cultural venues.

For a family prioritizing strong academic proficiency and evidence of closing achievement gaps, Seibert's current results warrant careful consideration alongside conversations with school leaders about their improvement strategies. For a family seeking an affordable, growing area with a small elementary school in a tight-knit neighborhood, the location and community context offer that setting, but the academic foundation is notably weak.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 314%

School 14% · District 41% · ▼ 27 pts below district

▼ 29 pts below state median · ▼ 18 pts below county median

Grade 419%

School 19% · District 39% · ▼ 20 pts below district

▼ 19 pts below state median · ▼ 8 pts below county median

Grade 513%

School 13% · District 26% · ▼ 12 pts below district

▼ 17 pts below state median · ▼ 6 pts below county median

Grade 68%

School 8% · District 32% · ▼ 24 pts below district

▼ 22 pts below state median · ▼ 13 pts below county median

English language arts

Grade 318%

School 18% · District 42% · ▼ 24 pts below district

▼ 23 pts below state median · ▼ 16 pts below county median

Grade 419%

School 19% · District 45% · ▼ 26 pts below district

▼ 23 pts below state median · ▼ 14 pts below county median

Grade 527%

School 27% · District 45% · ▼ 18 pts below district

▼ 19 pts below state median · ▼ 9 pts below county median

Grade 623%

School 23% · District 50% · ▼ 27 pts below district

▼ 21 pts below state median · ▼ 13 pts below county median

Science

Grade 510%

School 10% · District 28% · ▼ 18 pts below district

▼ 18 pts below state median · ▼ 12 pts below county median

This schoolPanama-Buena Vista Union, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.