Sequoia Jr. High

Sequoia Jr. High sits in the heart of Bakersfield's south side, serving seventh and eighth graders in one of the more working-class corners of Kern County, where families are deeply rooted in the community and schools carry a lot of weight in daily neighborhood life. Academics here are a work in progress, with test scores currently in the lower range statewide, though the school's science performance stands out relative to its other subjects — a small but meaningful bright spot. Families who are engaged and looking to advocate closely for their kids' middle school experience will want to ask plenty of questions about classroom support and enrichment opportunities before enrolling.