Original Research by School Decision on North High
North High is a comprehensive public high school in Bakersfield serving grades nine through twelve. It is the main secondary school serving the northern part of the city, and sits within Kern High School District.
The school enrolls a diverse student body, with roughly equal numbers in each grade cohort. Close to half of North High's students identify as Hispanic, and a substantial share identify as white. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic profile of the neighborhoods the school serves. Data on the proportion of English learners and students with individualized education plans was not available.
On California's state assessments for 2024-25, North High's results fell well below proficiency benchmarks across the board. In English language arts, about half of students met the state standard, which counts as modest attainment in the context of statewide performance but leaves significant room for improvement. In math, proficiency was substantially lower, in the single digits. In science, about one fifth of students achieved proficiency. The school has only one year of reported assessment data, so trend analysis is not possible. The school's graduation rate and chronic absenteeism rate were not available in the data.
Bakersfield itself is economically mixed, with both established neighborhoods and new housing developments. The city is among California's fastest-growing large cities. Neighborhoods near North High range from residential areas with older housing stock to newer subdivisions. Housing values and rental costs in the 93308 zip code that includes the school are below state and national medians, and housing remains relatively affordable relative to median income in the area. The city's employment base includes health care, retail, education, energy, and agriculture. A long riverside park system and public transit network provide recreational and transportation anchors.
Within Kern High School District, the district recently adopted an ethnic studies course that all high schoolers must complete under a new state mandate beginning with the graduating class of 2030. The district piloted the semester-long course during the 2024-25 school year. This curriculum requirement has generated local discussion and is a lasting change that affects every student's path to graduation.
Information on specific course offerings, honors or advanced placement pathways, career or technical programs, school attendance and discipline data, and staff composition was not available. A parent considering North High may want to contact the school directly to learn about its range of programs, support services, and any targeted interventions intended to address the wide gap between proficiency in English language arts versus math. The school's website was also not provided in the data, so reviewing materials directly from the district or school would be an important next step.
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