Roy W. Loudon Elementary

Roy W. Loudon Elementary sits in the growing southwest side of Bakersfield, a part of town that's seen a lot of new families put down roots over the past decade. The school shows some real strength in English relative to its overall profile, though math and science scores suggest there's room to grow — making it a reasonable fit for families who are engaged and looking to supplement at home or through tutoring. Bakersfield's tight-knit neighborhoods and affordable cost of living draw plenty of working families, and Loudon reflects that community feel, even if it's not the top academic draw in the Panama-Buena Vista district.