Fruitvale Junior High

Fruitvale Junior High sits in the fast-growing northwest corner of Bakersfield, where newer subdivisions and a strong sense of suburban community have made it a popular landing spot for families putting down roots in Kern County. The school punches solidly above the middle of the pack statewide, with English scores that stand out in particular — a good sign for families who want their 7th and 8th graders building real reading and writing skills before high school. If you're drawn to a neighborhood school with a stable community feel and decent academics in an area that's still finding its stride, Fruitvale is worth a close look.