Woodrow W. Wallace Elementary

Lake Isabella is a small mountain community tucked into the southern Sierra Nevada, where the Kern River meets a reservoir popular with boaters and outdoor enthusiasts — it's the kind of place where everyone knows everyone. Wallace Elementary serves this tight-knit, rural community, and while academics are a work in progress, families who are deeply involved in their kids' education and willing to supplement at home may find the small-school environment has its own genuine appeal. The school's science scores show some real promise compared to other subject areas, which could reflect the natural curiosity that comes from growing up surrounded by mountains, water, and wide open space.