Five years after the COVID-19 shutdown, Kern County schools look very different. What started as a temporary closure became a turning point, reshaping education through digital learning, mental health support, and new student interventions. How did schools adapt, and what changes are here to stay?
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Nearly 1,400 middle and high school students found their spark Thursday at the 25th Annual Leaders in Life Youth Conference, created by teens for teens. Known as one of California’s premier youth leadership events, Leaders in Life celebrated a legacy of over two decades of empowering young people from Kern County.
After months of research, experiments, and hard work, about 600 4th through 12th grade students showcased their projects at Kern County’s 37th annual Regional Science Fair. The event, which took place at the Dignity Health Convention Center Tuesday, was a chance for students who had risen through the ranks of their schools and districts to compete at the county level.
What if cities were designed for play? Kendrick Elementary students tackled this challenge in a hands-on LEGO Build the Change workshop, using creativity to make urban spaces more fun. Their imaginative designs—like interactive fountains and talking trash cans—will be featured in an animated film and global curriculum.
The Kern County Honor Music Festival brought together the best junior high and middle school musicians from all over Kern County for an unforgettable performance on the evening of February 25. Under the direction of guest conductors, Michael Stone, Patrick Burzlaff, and Amanda Sproul, the talented students took the stage and wowed the audience with their incredible music. From classical composers Tchaikovsky and Mozart, to the James Bond Theme, to songs in multiple languages, the Orchestra, Choir, and Band gave the audience a show they will never forget.
The Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) is set to begin interior renovations next week on the historic Bell Tower Plaza, which it purchased last year. Once completed, the Plaza will serve as KCSOS’s signature professional learning and events center, with a grand reopening planned for next fall.
The inaugural IgniteHER STEAM 4 Girls Conference is set to empower young girls to explore STEM fields on April 5, 2025, at Bakersfield College. Led by KCSOS STEM specialists, this event will connect fifth through eighth-grade girls with inspiring female role models in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. With hands-on workshops and mentorship opportunities, IgniteHER aims to break stereotypes and open doors to exciting career possibilities.
For 50 years, Sierra Sands Unified School District has shaped education in northeastern Kern County. Now, with the ambitious R3 Initiative, SSUSD is reimagining learning—launching three new schools of choice, upgrading facilities, and expanding career pathways. Discover how this rural district is embracing innovation while staying true to its tight-knit community.
Frontier High School received the Claude W. Richardson perpetual trophy as the overall team winner of the 44th annual Kern County Academic Decathlon which concluded today at Stockdale High School. 115 students from 13 high schools participated. Frontier will represent Kern County in the California Academic Decathlon scheduled for next month.
Students, teachers, and school districts all over the county are showing us what it means to be kind. This week is the Great Kindness Challenge (GKC), a worldwide movement that takes place at the end of January each year and encourages everyone to embrace kindness.
Kern’s finest high school musicians and singers took the stage at the Mechanics Bank theater last night for the annual “It’s a Grand Night for Music.” The honors music festival featured nearly 800 high school orchestra, band, and choir members who endured demanding auditions and grueling practice schedules to earn their spot on the stage.
High School teams from across Kern County went head-to-head in the courtroom today for the 43rd Annual Kern County Mock Trial Competition. Students have spent months preparing for this highly anticipated event, showcasing their talents in legal argumentation, public speaking, and critical thinking. In the end, it was Centennial’s prosecution versus Ridgeview’s defense that took the top two spots.
In Kern County, educators and first responders are joining forces to prioritize school safety. Through collaborative efforts like the Safer Schools Coalition and the implementation of standardized emergency protocols, the community is taking proactive steps to ensure students are protected and prepared for any situation
Kern County’s education landscape has lost a transformational leader. Dr. Kelly Foster Blanton passed away earlier this month, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy of dedication, innovation, and a commitment to the success of all children. He was 87. From his humble beginnings as the son of Dust Bowl migrant farmworkers to his transformative tenure as Kern County’s 18th superintendent of schools, Blanton’s life exemplified resilience, vision, and service.
Bakersfield’s beloved holiday tradition, The Nutcracker, is celebrating its 47th annual production this Christmas season, bringing magic to audiences of all ages. Today and tomorrow, as many as 6,000 local students will have the chance to experience the wonder of ballet during the Nutcracker Young People’s Concerts held at the Mechanics Bank Convention Center.
Kern County’s most anticipated holiday tradition, HolidayLights at CALM, is back and brighter than ever. Running from November 30 through January 4, this award-winning event combines breathtaking light displays with festive activities, making it a must-visit for families and friends during the holiday season.
More than 6,000 students descended on Mechanics Bank Arena today to watch the Bakersfield Condors take on the Abbotsford Canucks for the annual Field Trip Day. Students were bused in from more than two dozen school districts to take part in the event, presented by Valley Strong Credit Union. The Canucks beat the Condors 4-2. The Condors’ next game is on Friday.
Ishmeet Singh, a junior at Stockdale High School, is reshaping how students across California receive critical mental health support. He spearheaded an initiative to integrate QR codes on all school ID cards across the state, linking students directly to the mental health resources they need.
As California gears up to offer an entirely new type of teaching credential geared toward pre-kindergarten through third-grade teachers, experts and educators alike are rallying around the idea that play is more than just a break from learning — it is the learning.
The Pledge of Allegiance is no longer just a daily classroom tradition. Through a new initiative called Pledge Across Kern, led by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) in partnership with KUZZ 107.9 FM, students from all corners of the county are coming together to lead the Pledge not just in their classrooms but over the airwaves.
The latest standardized test results from Kern County show slight improvements in both English Language Arts (ELA) and math. While overall progress has been slow, bright spots are apparent at school districts all over the county.
Childhood has changed. Kids are more depressed, anxious and lonely, and it’s clear, screens aren’t helping. Award-winning journalist Maddie Janssen took a deep dive into this topic and brings us this special report about our society’s digital addiction.
As the daughter of Mexican immigrants, Candi Huizar, KCSOS’s director of equity and inclusion, knows firsthand the power of resilience and determination. Growing up, she and her seven siblings navigated the challenges of language barriers, poverty, and adapting to a new way of life in the U.S. Now, forty years later, Huizar looks back on her family’s incredible journey — eight children, all college graduates, three with master’s degrees, and Huizar herself on the path to earning her doctorate.
Dozens of students from 16 schools across Kern County gathered this week at CALM Zoo for the annual Student Voice Ambassador Program Retreat.
After more than two decades of teaching and serving Greenfield’s students, Susan Holloway, a beloved 6th-grade teacher at McKee Middle School, is preparing to retire. But Holloway’s legacy at Greenfield Union School District (GUSD) is about much more than just teaching. She has dedicated more than 20 years to providing clothing and essential items to families in need.
The Kern County Fair came alive today with the inaugural Chopped Challenge, where teams of school nutrition directors and high school students faced off in a cooking competition. Hosted at the Frontier Stage, the event showcased creative culinary talent and promoted the principles of healthy eating inspired by the Blue Zones Project (BZP).
Seven-year-old Alessandra Gutierrez recently won the 2024 National Mariachi Youth Vocalist Competition and gained millions of TikTok views for her remarkable singing. Her passion for mariachi began during a family trip to Mexico and is deeply tied to her cultural heritage, supported by her bilingual education.
Even though they were not yet born when the tragic events of September 11, 2001 unfolded, a new generation is stepping up to honor and remember the day that forever changed America. Across Kern County today, young people organized and participated in memorial events, paying tribute to the victims, first responders, and all those impacted by the attacks.
For over 20 years, Kern County students have turned to “Do the Math,” a math tutoring TV show produced by KCSOS’s Kern Education Television Network. The 23rd season starts on September 10, featuring a newly renovated studio with advanced technology, a larger demonstration area, and a modern and sophisticated look.
The Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS), in partnership with Chevron, announced its plans today for The STEAM Yard, a first-of-its-kind educational center dedicated to fostering student growth through an innovative, student-centered approach.
Do you know a student, educator or community member who is doing great work to make Kern County a more inclusive and welcoming place? Nominate them for the annual Equity Champion Awards program.
Recent Highland High School graduate Jack Stringer is fulfilling a dream he’s had since early childhood: attending the Air Force Academy to become a fighter pilot. His journey began long before he reported for basic training this summer at the prestigious Academy campus in Colorado Springs, requiring years of dedication, discipline, and perseverance.
Officials from Strata Credit Union and California Resources Corporation attended back to school nights in Wasco this week to surprise students and families with a $250,000 gift that will send all sixth graders to Camp KEEP this year.
Across the state, many students are stepping into roles traditionally reserved for adults: serving as representatives on their local school boards. Read about a few right here in Kern County.
The story of Noor El Kereamy is one of tremendous ambition and achievement. The recent Stockdale High School graduate seamlessly blends her passions for science, dance, and community service into a story of success that inspires others. Now, this distinguished young woman has her sights set on the prestigious halls of Stanford University.
First-generation college student Raul Garza is about to embark on an exciting new chapter in his life. After graduating from McFarland High School in the spring, Garza has set his aspirations on the University of California, Riverside where he will major in business.
This summer, the Beale Memorial Library in Bakersfield is a hub of creativity and learning, thanks to an interactive wind tube exhibit. The Kern County Superintendent of Schools, in partnership with the library, is hosting this exhibit every Monday from 3-4 p.m. and Wednesday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. until the end of July.
The Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) is once again hosting its highly anticipated summer camps, drawing nearly 4,000 students from across the county. Taking place at three unique sites—California Living Museum (CALM), Kern County Museum and the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History—these camps offer an engaging mix of education and fun, with a strong emphasis on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics).
Betsy Rodriguez, a first-generation college student, exemplifies the power of perseverance and dedication. Celebrating her remarkable academic success, Betsy graduated as valedictorian from Rosamond High School. She is now set to attend California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo to major in architecture.
With a deep passion for space travel and an impressive array of interests and talents, Iamanni Jackson’s journey to one of the most prestigious universities in the world says a lot about her resilience and determination.
Career Technical Education (CTE) is not just vocational training. For those in Alternative Education (Alt Ed) settings like KCSOS’s court and community schools, CTE programming offers a unique opportunity for growth and is a transformative journey for many students.
Valley Oaks Charter School allows parents to customize their child’s learning experience, tailoring it to their individual needs in a homeschool environment. Read what two graduates say about the program and what their plans are for the future.
Despite facing significant challenges throughout their academic journeys, local foster students have defied the odds and are now set to attend four-year universities this fall. Among these resilient students is Memory Richmond, who is a graduating senior at Mira Monte High School.
Meet Vanessa Ponce. She will graduate as Rosamond High School’s valedictorian on June 4 boasting an incredible 4.59 GPA. Her story is one in a series of Kern County “first-gens” that we are covering this graduation season.
Three Teachers of the Year finalists and eight Classified School Employees of the Year were honored this evening at the first-ever Kern County Education Champions of the Year awards dinner.
To help National Library Week, held the third week of April every year, we are spotlighting Carter Beardsley, a junior at Frontier High School who is making strides to combat literacy issues in Kern County.
Kern County 7th and 8th graders competed in the 69th annual Henry Greve Speech Contest Thursday evening. Each of the competing students had between four-and-a-half and seven minutes to convince the judges with their persuasive speeches, answering the prompt: “How Can One Person Make A Difference?”
Jordan Mondragon, a student with visual impairments enrolled at Beardsley Elementary, has attended the Bakersfield Police Department’s Audible Egg Hunt since he was three years old. Today, while walking arm in arm with officers, Mondragon continued the tradition of hunting for “beeping” eggs created specifically for students like him.
School bus drivers from across Kern County and beyond gathered today at the Kern High School District transportation yard for the annual Bus Road-eo skills competition.
For over two decades, Leaders in Life has been one of California’s premier youth leadership conferences created by teens, for teens. Thursday, nearly 1,100 teens turned out for the 24th annual conference, almost doubling last year’s figures.
Dozens of honor band, orchestra, and choir students took the stage Tuesday night for the annual Kern County Honor Music Festival.
As part of School Social Workers Week, six School Social Workers (SSWs) were named to the inaugural cohort of School Social Workers of the Year.
All eyes were on Cinnamon today — or Cid for short — one of CALM’s black bears who has become distinctly accurate in predicting the outcome of the Super Bowl in recent years. His pick? The 49ers!
Nearly 800 high school band, choir and orchestra members filled the stage at the Mechanics Bank Theater and Convention Center at the “It’s a Grand Night for Music” celebration Tuesday night.
In February of 2023, CALM had the privilege of hosting Joel Sartore, an internationally celebrated photographer and conservationist, to take photos of some of CALM’s animals for his decades-long project with National Geographic.
