Dr. Douglas K. Fletcher Elementary

Tucked into the east side of Bakersfield, Dr. Douglas K. Fletcher Elementary sits in a working-class neighborhood where families tend to be deeply rooted in the community and invested in their kids' futures. The school holds its own academically — particularly in science, where it outpaces a solid majority of California schools — making it a reasonable choice for families who want a neighborhood feel without sacrificing solid fundamentals. Bakersfield itself is an unpretentious, sun-soaked Central Valley city with a low cost of living and a tight-knit culture, and Fletcher reflects that same down-to-earth spirit.