Compton Junior High

Compton Junior High serves seventh and eighth graders in east Bakersfield, a working-class part of town where families tend to be deeply rooted in the community. Academics here are a work in progress — scores trail state averages across the board, with math being the biggest area for growth — so families who prioritize strong test performance may want to weigh their options carefully. That said, for families committed to their neighborhood school, Compton can be a place to build connections in a tight-knit corner of a city that's more affordable than much of California.