At Maple Elementary in Shafter, education isn’t limited to the school day — it continues around the kitchen table, in living rooms, and other places where families gather, talk, and learn together. Recognizing that many parents are unable to attend traditional evening events, the district found a creative way to meet families where they are, using simple videos and activities to strengthen connections, support students, and keep the rural community rooted in family learning.
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The California Cadet Corps (CACC) is experiencing remarkable growth and impact across Kern County, where nearly 300 students at Rosamond High School and Tropico Middle School (Southern Kern Unified School District) alone are finding connection, confidence, and purpose through the century-old leadership program.
Bakersfield’s beloved holiday tradition, The Nutcracker, is returning to the stage for its 48th annual production this Christmas season. Presented by Civic Dance Center, the longtime production is once again enchanting audiences while also introducing the performing arts to thousands of local students through its popular Young People’s Concerts.
Vineland Elementary students shopped for fresh produce during a student Farmers Market that doubled as a lesson in nutrition and money management.
KCSOS and CALM Zoo are joining forces to launch Stock the Shelves, a community-driven donation effort to help restock school-site pantries that provide vital support to students and their families facing food insecurity.
Centennial High School captured first place at today’s We the People competition at Golden Valley High School, just edging out Arvin High School in a tight overall finish that highlighted an impressive field of contenders. The event marked more than just the announcement of winners — it also brought a change in leadership and welcomed a new school to the countywide program.
Young artists specializing in a variety of different mediums showcased their talents Thursday night at the Valley Oaks Charter School (VOCS) annual Art Haven fall exhibition. The Art Haven is a VOCS pop-up art gallery that promotes art culture and celebrates student artists. The art show featured a range of media and artistic themes crafted by select elementary, junior high, and high school students.
Williams Elementary students took part in Bakersfield’s first Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, honoring the courage of a child who helped change history.
Four Kern County school districts were celebrated at this year’s CSBA Golden Bell Awards, earning statewide recognition for innovative programs that boost student success, strengthen school communities, and expand opportunities from early literacy to early college.
At Lost Hills Union School District, four boys can often be found sprinting across the track, laughing with their teammates and friends, or swapping stories in the classroom. They are students, athletes, and leaders, and they also happen to experience hearing loss. But to their school community, that hearing loss is not what defines them.
Every afternoon during fifth period at Robert F. Kennedy High School in Delano, an ordinary classroom transforms into the T-Bird Tea Bar, a place where teachers can get their afternoon caffeine fix, and where special needs students can gain real-world experience that will support them long after they leave campus.
Registration is now open for the 26th Annual Kern County Teacher Recruitment Fair, set for Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Larry E. Reider Education Center in downtown Bakersfield. The event, hosted by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS), remains the county’s largest one-stop opportunity for individuals interested in beginning or advancing a career in education.
The California Living Museum (CALM) welcomed sponsors, community partners, and members of the media on Monday night for an exclusive first look at the 23rd annual HolidayLights at CALM Zoo. Presented by Adventist Health, the preview was highlighted by the unveiling new displays, expanded features, and special additions ahead of Saturday’s public opening.
What began as a child’s fascination with twinkling lights has grown into one of Kern County’s most cherished traditions. As he celebrates 23 years leading HolidayLights at CALM Zoo, Josh Barnett continues to transform creativity, community spirit, and pure holiday joy into a winter wonderland that brings families back year after year.
The stakes were high, the builds were fast, and the crowd was loud. In the end, it was the Comets who engineered their way to the top, claiming the title of first-ever STEAM Yard Showdown Champions, held Tuesday.
Second graders across Kern County are building confidence as readers thanks to the Community Reading Project. Learn how you can get involved.
California’s 2025 School Dashboard was released Thursday, providing a comprehensive snapshot of how the state’s students, schools, and districts are performing across a range of academic and school-climate measures. The annual accountability tool — created by the California Department of Education in 2017 — evaluates progress using multiple indicators such as English language arts and math achievement, graduation rates, suspension rates, chronic absenteeism, and college and career readiness.
A new report from John Burton Advocates for Youth names Kern County’s Dream Center as one of California’s leading programs reducing youth homelessness. Powered by HHAP funding, the center’s “one-door” model has helped more than 200 youth and achieved an 86% safe-housing success rate. But with HHAP absent from the state budget, the future of Kern’s only youth-dedicated drop-in center is uncertain.
From third graders at Patriot Elementary donning a judge’s robe to Liberty High students observing a live criminal trial, Kern County’s Judges in the Classroom program is bringing civic learning to life. Through engaging, age-appropriate experiences, students are discovering how justice works — and imagining themselves in the courtroom one day.
Every November, Native American Heritage Month offers a time to honor the traditions and contributions of Indigenous peoples. For KCSOS employees Mindy Cruz and Deborah Jackson, this heritage is not limited to one month, though. It’s a daily source of identity, strength, and purpose.
