Educational Services and Innovative Programs Division

This is an exciting time to be a student in the Kern High School District (KHSD)!! Through the combined efforts of students, staff, community members, industry partners, and policy makers, all KHSD students are provided the support, encouragement, inspiration, and tools needed to succeed every day. The combined effort of the Educational Services and Innovative Programs (ESIP) division and Instruction division is to work collaboratively in providing “the necessary programs and services to all students to graduate from high school prepared to succeed in the workplace and at the post-secondary level."

We believe that every student can succeed; it is our collective responsibility to make sure that every student is given the right opportunities to guarantee success. Highlighted below are just a few of the services, programs, and innovations available to our students across the district. 

Dual Enrollment opportunities across the district have exploded. The Dual Enrollment program between the Kern High School District and the Kern Community College District began in earnest in the fall of 2015 and has now expanded to include Dual Enrolled courses at California State University, Bakersfield. The Dual Enrollment program provides opportunities for high school students to earn college credit while taking designated high school courses during the regular school day on their high school campuses. The number of students earning college credit while in high school increased from 530 students in the fall of 2015 to nearly 3000 student in the spring of 2017 (visit the Educational Services webpage for a complete listing of Dual Enrollment opportunities).

Technology is now at the fingertips of every student with wifi access available across the entire district. The district is approaching nearly 20,000 wireless devices that students and staff use to access online curricular and instructional resources to enrich, extend, and energize the learning process. In January of 2015, the district began the ambitious task of upgrading its network to support 21st Century learning in the classroom and in the online environment. Starting in Fall of 2016, the district expanded its wireless network to a few dozen school buses to support student learning while commuting from home to school, from school to the Regional Occupational Center (ROC), and from school sites to district sponsored activities and athletic events. Visit the Innovative Programs website for more information.

College and Career Pathway development is now a reality for every student. Preparing students for success in high school and for life after high school is the core of the district mission. Helping students visualize and plan for their futures is of paramount success. KHSD students have access to a rigorous, comprehensive education that includes college preparatory courses, fine and performing arts programs, career and technical education (CTE) courses and certificate programs, and wide range of activities, organizations, clubs, and athletics. Since the Fall of 2014, the district has substantially expanded its CTE opportunities for students. In the fall of 2015, the KHSD Board of Trustees authorized the construction of a Career Technical Education Center (CTEC) at Independence High School that will more than double the CTE course availability in the district’s 3-hour per day training programs. Please visit the Educational Services webpage to learn more about the new CTE programs, the new CTEC at Independence High School facility design, and the remodeling and expansions plans for the existing ROC.

Please be sure to visit all of the departments of ESIP (Adult Education, Alternative Education, Educational Options, Educational Services, Information Technology, Innovative Programs, and Special Education) to learn more about the amazing services, programs, and innovations that are inspiring students across the Kern High School District.