With proud families, friends, educators, and partners from Kern County Probation watching, the Class of 2025 from KCSOS’s Alternative Education programs crossed the stage this morning during a heartfelt commencement ceremony held at Valley Oaks Charter School in Bakersfield.
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Meet the unsung heroes of Valley Oaks Charter School. The inaugural Superintendent’s Award honors four standout students—not just for grades, but for grit, kindness, and quiet leadership. From running a petting zoo to reviving a drama program, these 8th and 12th graders show that impact isn’t always loud—but it’s always powerful.
After more than a decade in leadership at Bakersfield City School District, Superintendent Mark Luque is stepping into a new role with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools as Chief Training & Advancement Officer. The longtime educator, who once attended BCSD schools himself, says the move isn’t a departure but an expansion — a chance to support and empower school leaders countywide while continuing to champion student success.
There are 180 days in a school year. Over 13 years—from kindergarten through high school—that adds up to 2,340 days. Dylan Henderson, a senior at Maricopa High School (Maricopa Unified School District), hasn’t missed a single one.
Cheers to progress! English learners served by KCSOS were recently celebrated for their impressive gains on the ELPAC. From growth to reclassification, these students are making major strides toward English fluency.
Caps and gowns, tiny edition! 🎓✨ On a beautiful spring morning, the Richardson Center’s preschool graduates stole the show as proud parents and loved ones looked on. With songs, smiles, and precious little faces beaming with pride, it was a celebration to remember. Congratulations to these bright young learners — kindergarten, here they come!
Sparks are flying – literally – inside the campus workshop at McFarland High School, where a group of advanced welding students is shaping metalworks and forging lasting legacies.
Kindergarten graduation at Valley Oaks Charter Bakersfield was all smiles, songs, and sweet moments. Congrats to our littlest grads — first grade, here they come!
Hundreds of students are being awarded for more than just their academic achievements — they’re being recognized for their commitment to making a difference in their communities. Thanks to a major local push to promote civic participation, more than 700 high school students will earn the State Seal of Civic Engagement (SSCE) this year, a dramatic leap from just two students a few years ago.
Middle school students across Kern County got a chance to flex their creative muscles today and spread a message of tobacco prevention at the same time, with an awareness campaign created by kids for kids. The Kern County Superintendent of Schools’ Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program teamed up with the Delano Union School District Friday to host a ‘PSA day’ at La Viña Middle School.
KCSOS honored four Alternative Education students with its 2025 Graduate Memorial Awards Thursday evening, recognizing character, courage, and growth. The awards celebrate the legacy of four former educators and the values they embodied: empathy, perseverance, integrity, and optimism.
Student-designed trophies, heartfelt recognition, and powerful stories of inclusion — Kern County Consortium SELPA’s first-ever Empowering Students with Disabilities Awards honored the educators making a difference, with a special assist from McFarland High’s media arts students.
In classrooms across Kern County, students are learning reading, writing, math, science, and history, all in both English and Spanish. It’s part of the educational movement known as Dual Language Immersion (DLI), where biliteracy is the goal, not just a bonus.
Sierra Sands Unified is celebrating major strides in student support and community engagement. Las Flores and Inyokern Elementary earned national recognition for fostering safe, connected school cultures, while Pierce Elementary launched the Watch D.O.G.S. program to bring positive male role models into classrooms. A new $1.9 million Community Schools grant will expand services and strengthen family partnerships districtwide.
Local elementary and middle school students are returning victorious after a standout showing at the California History Day competition in Sacramento. Following months of in-depth research and creative project development, five students earned top honors and have advanced to the prestigious National History Day contest in Maryland.
The 2025 Kern County Battle of the Books is underway this week, bringing together students from across the region in a spirited celebration of reading and teamwork. This year’s event has expanded to five days and, for the first time, is being hosted at the California Living Museum (CALM) Zoo, providing a unique and engaging backdrop for the competitions.
The Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) office announced the three finalists for the prestigious 2025 Kern County Teacher of the Year award, while also recognizing dozens of outstanding local educators as part of its annual Excellence in Education celebration Tuesday evening at the DoubleTree Bakersfield.
Students at Discovery Elementary School (Fruitvale Union School District) are showing what it means to be kind, brave, prudent, and well-rounded individuals with a Green Shield designation from the Positivity Project (P2). P2 is a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) platform designed to teach students positive character traits while supporting their mental health and teaching desired behaviors. Lesson plans are tailored to each grade level and focus on 24 character strengths such as kindness, teamwork, and perseverance. Students learn how to adopt those traits into their everyday lives, building empathy and community.
More than 1,100 students from dozens of schools competed in a series of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) challenges in the annual Kern County STEAM Olympiad Saturday at Liberty High School. The event, sponsored by the Kern County Science Foundation and the Kern County Math Council, helps foster 21st-century skills in STEAM fields that align with California Standards.
Elementary school speakers from Kern County showed off their verbal and writing skills Thursday night at the annual Bank of America Essay/Speech Contest. Sponsored and judged by Bank of America employees and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS), the competition allows students in grades four through six to express their personal insights on a common topic.
