Kern Valley High

Nestled in the mountain community of Lake Isabella along the Kern River, Kern Valley High serves a close-knit, rural community that's a world away from the hustle of bigger California cities. Families who love outdoor living — boating, hiking, and off-road adventures right out the back door — will find a school that reflects that tight community feel, though academics here are a significant challenge, with test scores that lag behind much of the state. It's a school where local roots run deep, and for families committed to supplementing their kids' education, the surrounding natural landscape offers a genuinely unique place to grow up.