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Email BoardWalter Stiern Middle
2551 Morning Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93306-4927
Summary
Walter Stiern Middle is badly underperforming.
Reading and math results average to the 16th percentile among comparable California schools.
Only 31.2% of students met California's reading standard, but it is trending up.
Math is weaker: 12.8% of students met California's math standard, but it is trending up slightly.
Proficiency stats
| Current Reading Proficiency | 31.2% |
| Current Math Proficiency | 12.8% |
| Reading State Rank | 952/1,204 (21st percentile) |
| Math State Rank | 1,075/1,204 (11th percentile) |
School information
| Student / Teacher Ratio | 22:1 |
| Student enrollment (2024–25) | 891 |
| Low-Income Students | 823 (92.4%) |
| English Learners | 239 (26.8%) |
School Website
Great Schools
Niche
Ed-Data
CAASPP| Admissions | Open enrollment |
|---|---|
| Charter school | No |
| Magnet school | No |
Test score trends
Reading rose 8.6 points from last year and rose 7.3 points over the full period. Math rose 3.3 points from last year and rose 2.9 points over the full period.
•Math +2.9 percentage points (2024–2026)Reading Proficiency Scores
2026 state test results
Race and Ethnicity
White and Hispanic or Latino students have the strongest results.
Distribution of Scores by Grade
The share meeting the reading standard ranges from 28.0% to 32.7% across the grades shown. Overall, the school’s reading results rank No. 952 of 1,204 among California schools in the same grade-level category.
Low-Income vs Non-Low-Income
The 25.3-point reading income gap is wider than the 19.5-point gap at a typical California 6–8 school. It widened over the period shown.
•English Learners vs English Native
3.5% of English learners meet the reading standard, compared with 31.1% of English-only students. The gap widened as English-learner results fell and English-only results rose.
•Math Proficiency Scores
2026 state test results
Race and Ethnicity
White students have the strongest math results at about 18% proficiency. The other reported groups range from about 6% to 13%.
Distribution of Scores by Grade
The share meeting the math standard ranges from 11.7% to 14.0% across the grades shown. Overall, the school’s math results rank No. 1,075 of 1,204 among California schools in the same grade-level category.
Low-Income vs Non-Low-Income
The 13.1-point math income gap is narrower than the 19.2-point gap at a typical California 6–8 school. It widened over the period shown.
•English Learners vs English Native
0.9% of English learners meet the math standard, compared with 12.3% of English-only students. The gap widened as English-learner results fell and English-only results rose.
•Progress as students move up
2023–2026
How we compare income gaps
“Typical” means the median gap across 795 schools for reading and 796 for math. The comparison uses 2026 California 6–8 schools with at least 20 tested students in each income group and a reported low-income student population. Each school counts once. Its gap is non-low-income proficiency minus low-income proficiency, including negative gaps. California state test data
Understanding this school
How does Walter Stiern Middle compare within the district?
Walter Stiern Middle is No. 4 in reading and No. 3 in math proficiency among the 9 6–8 schools in Bakersfield City with 2026 results.
Explore the district’s schoolsHow does Walter Stiern Middle rank in California?
Walter Stiern Middle ranks No. 952 of 1,204 in reading and No. 1,075 of 1,204 in math for 2026. These proficiency rankings compare California schools in the same grade-level category.
How do low-income students at Walter Stiern Middle compare within the district?
Low-income students here rank No. 4 in both subjects among 9 6–8 district schools with reportable 2026 results for this group. 29.4% meet the reading standard and 11.9% meet the math standard.
See results by student groupHow does Walter Stiern Middle compare with other schools in Bakersfield?
Walter Stiern Middle is No. 10 in reading and No. 9 in math proficiency among the 16 6–8 schools in Bakersfield with 2026 results.
Explore schools in BakersfieldHow does Walter Stiern Middle compare with other schools in Kern County?
Walter Stiern Middle is No. 19 in reading and No. 21 in math proficiency among the 30 6–8 schools in Kern County with 2026 results.
Explore schools in Kern CountyWhich schools should I compare?
Schools serving 6–8 in the same district.
| School | Math | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Walter Stiern MiddleThis school | 12.8% | 31.2% |
| Abraham Lincoln Jr. High | 2.9% | 20.8% |
| Chipman Junior High | 24.3% | 43.9% |
