Wonderful College Prep Academy (WCPA), which serves small, rural communities in Delano and Lost Hills, is being honored for its commitment to its students and families with a statewide award. This week, the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) presented the school with its Hart Vision Equity & Innovation Award and named it the 2026 Charter School of the Year.
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Seventh and eighth grade students from McKittrick Elementary School beat out four other districts Friday to take home the top trophy at the annual Whiz Kids Competition. The Academic Decathlon-style event tests students’ knowledge in a variety of different subjects including math, science, history, and writing. The event concludes with a “Super Quiz” that questions students about a pre-selected novel.
Eighth grader Emery Peñaloza of Norris Middle School transformed his love of history into a state-level win in the Sons of the American Revolution Video Contest and now advances to the national stage, inspiring other students to follow their passions and embrace the joy of doing what they truly love.
Kern County families are invited to participate in the new KCSOS Parent Workshop Series, focused on the foundations of literacy and reading. Led by the Curriculum and Instruction team, the workshops were created to build parents’ capacity to support early literacy development using practical, research-based strategies.
What began as a routine campus walkthrough at the Blake School District in rural Woody quickly revealed unexpected playground safety concerns and complex logistical challenges. Through close collaboration and hands-on support from KCSOS’s Maintenance and Operations team, those initial concerns sparked a coordinated effort that reshaped the campus with thoughtful, lasting improvements.
After three decades of putting students first, Kern County Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Mendiburu is being inducted into California State University, Bakersfield’s Alumni Hall of Fame — an honor recognizing a career defined by service and impact.
A friendly puppet and oversized toothbrush are helping Kern County’s youngest learners build healthy smiles. During National Children’s Dental Health Month, the Children’s Dental Health Network is highlighting its free services that provide early screenings, prevention, and treatment for children from birth to age 5.
On a seemingly ordinary February morning in Lake Isabella, the library of Kern Valley High School buzzed with activity that was anything but ordinary — high school seniors studying literature, learning a Victorian ballroom dance, and becoming published authors. It’s all part of the annual Dickens Day of Writing, an academic celebration held in honor of Charles Dickens’ birthday.
Inside the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) Warehouse, home of the Maintenance and Operations Department, high school students are stepping into a working classroom — learning warehouse operations while gaining real-world experience that can launch their future careers.
Each February, Black History Month honors the contributions of Black Americans who have shaped communities and created pathways for future generations, celebrating both achievement and the enduring power of legacy. At KCSOS, that legacy is reflected in the daily work of educators and staff whose leadership is rooted in mentorship, service, and belief in others. The stories that follow highlight just a few individuals whose examples continue to influence careers, strengthen teams, and create lasting impact across the organization.
Stockdale High School received the Claude W. Richardson perpetual trophy as the overall team winner of the 46th Annual Kern County Academic Decathlon which concluded today at Stockdale High School. 130 students from 16 high schools participated. Stockdale will represent Kern County in the California Academic Decathlon scheduled for next month.
Counselors from across Kern County stepped away from their campuses today to focus on their own well-being at the inaugural Counselor Retreat hosted by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS). Held during National School Counseling Week, the event recognized the emotional demands of the profession and the importance of self-care for those who support students, families, and schools.
Before students take the stage at Leaders in Life, other students are already leading. Meet the McFarland High School team behind the conference’s custom-printed T-shirts — and the partnership that turns creativity into real-world experience.
The Cats of California have made their Super Bowl pick — and they’re betting on the Seahawks. With a perfect prediction record so far, will CALM Zoo’s feline forecasters stay undefeated?
The Kern County Board of Supervisors Board Chambers buzzed with anticipation as high school students filed into their seats Wednesday evening. Months of preparation came down to the final round of carefully timed objections. But this year’s Mock Trial competition brought more than the usual adrenaline — it introduced a new system designed to make competition more transparent and equitable than ever before.
At the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) Central Kitchen, staff prepare thousands of meals a day while also cooking up future careers. Through a growing network of internship and apprenticeship programs, the KCSOS Central Kitchen is becoming a training ground for aspiring culinary professionals, career changers, and students seeking real-world experience. While multiple pathways are available, the newest opportunity comes through a partnership with the Chef Ann Foundation, a national nonprofit aiming to promote more clean eating and scratch cooking.
From enhancing your morning brew to putting the “I” in KIND, students across Kern County are finding creative ways to lead with compassion this week as part of the Great Kindness Challenge, a worldwide effort to strengthen school climate and foster safe, supportive learning environments. The Great Kindness Challenge began as a positive, proactive bullying-prevention initiative for PreK-12 schools back in 2011. Now, the program serves more than 21 million students across more than 43,000 schools.
KCSOS is working to increase enrollment in its state-funded preschool programs, which serve children ages two to five and are designed to support families across Kern County, including many who may not realize they qualify. Each KCSOS early childhood education site offers all-day educational childcare in a safe and nurturing environment.
Maple Elementary’s first Harvest Parade connected lessons to real-world agricultural practices this week. Through live demonstrations, expert explanations, and a Tower Challenge using the machinery, students gained a deeper understanding of local farming and the impact it has on their families’ lives.
The Bakersfield City School District Board of Education has appointed Dr. Karling Aguilera-Fort as the District’s next superintendent, formalizing his leadership following a period of service as interim superintendent.
