Tiny But Mighty: Kern’s Smallest School Districts Team Up for Big Impact

In the far reaches of Kern’s vast landscape — atop foothills out east and sprawled across the oil and ag land out west — lie eight of the County’s smallest school districts. Together, they serve fewer than 1,000 students. Despite facing unique challenges like social isolation and limited resources, these districts are proving that size is no limitation when it comes to making a big impact. 

Their secret? A network of dedicated educators and administrators who are part of the Small Schools Consortium, a collaborative effort designed to foster connection, healthy competition, and camaraderie among students, transforming obstacles into opportunities for growth.

“Around June of every year, the small schools superintendents have a meeting that the county facilitates,” said Tiffany Touchstone, principal and superintendent of Elk Hills School District. “We divide up the calendar with a number of traditional events that take place: athletic, academic, and social.” 

Midway School District in West Kern has about 75 students K-8.

Founded in the 1990s with Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) support, the consortium consists of Blake, Caliente, Elk Hills, General Shafter, Linns Valley-Poso Flat, Maricopa, McKittrick, and Midway school districts. What began as a necessity to pool limited resources has evolved into a community partnership that supports students and provides them with engaging activities.

Competing with larger schools in academic and athletic fields wasn’t feasible for these small districts, since many nearby schools are more than triple their size with more robust programs and funding. The consortium creates an even playing field, giving students opportunities to compete and collaborate with peers from schools of a similar size.

“I think if we were to compete against a larger school district, it would be very difficult,” said Robin Shive, interim principal and superintendent of the Caliente Union School District. “Kids come home with ribbons, and they’re so excited because that would not happen in a larger school district.”

The focus isn’t just on winning. Good sportsmanship is a cornerstone of the consortium’s philosophy. Each school selects a good sportsmanship team and reinforces what it means to play fair and respect others.

“They develop friendships with each other at these different small schools,” Shive said.

The consortium’s academic programs are just as impactful as its athletic offerings. Events like “Whiz Kids,” a small-school version of the Academic Decathlon, and essay competitions encourage intellectual growth. These activities allow academically inclined students to showcase their skills and gain accolades and recognition.

“The Whiz Kids competition draws our kids who are more academically minded. That’s what I like about it. It offers a little something for all kids,” Touchstone said.

Students from Small Schools Consortium participate in the “Whiz Kids” academic competition.

In addition to competition, the consortium has practical benefits. In the past, schools have pooled resources to hire shared staff like librarians and nurses, providing a vital network of support. The consortium often combines field trips to places like Camp Keep and our nation’s capitol to create opportunities for students that individual schools couldn’t manage alone. 

“We’re wanting to go to Washington, DC, and the minimum number is 20. Well, we wouldn’t be able to go unless we were able to join with another small school district,” Shive explained. “We’re able to pool those resources together and pool students together to give them all an experience they wouldn’t get otherwise.” 

The consortium also plays a pivotal role in building friendships and fostering social interaction. Annual dances — like the Christmas social, and a Valentine’s event — allow students to connect beyond their small school communities.

“It’s added connectedness and a positive school climate for them,” Touchstone said. “Otherwise, we would be really isolated from everyone else.”

The consortium’s true success is due to the spirit of collaboration among its members. Each school contributes its strengths to the collective effort. For instance, Maricopa hosts basketball tournaments in its two gymnasiums, allowing girls’ and boys’ teams to play simultaneously, while McKittrick uses its swimming pool for swim meets.

“The consortium has done a really good job at playing to each other’s strengths,” Touchstone emphasized. “Everyone has always taken on a role without any complaint.”

During the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, consortium members shared resources and ideas, helping each other navigate unprecedented difficulties. 

“Everyone is so welcoming and forthcoming with information, ideas, thoughts,” Touchstone said.

The Small Schools Consortium shows us what’s possible when schools work together. Whether through academic competitions, athletic events, or social gatherings, the consortium creates opportunities that enrich students’ lives and build a sense of belonging.

“It’s comforting knowing we’re not alone,” Touchstone said. “We do face unique challenges, but we have a great wealth of expertise and wisdom through our consortium, and that’s so helpful.”