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Richland School District serves elementary age children living in the City of Shafter and outlying areas. The District operates four schools that are located in the city: Golden Oak Elementary School (K-5), Redwood Elementary School (K-5), Sequoia Elementary School (K-5) and Richland Junior High School
(6-8).
Class sizes in grades K-3 average 20 students, grades 4-5 average 30 students and grade 7-8 average 30 students, but may have as many as 33.
The District strives to provide a high quality educational program to a diverse population. The district is committed to provide standards based instruction. The California State Standards have been adopted by the District. Standards based instruction is being implemented in all classrooms throughout the District.
The District is proud to provide supplementary programs and activities for students for additional enriching experiences. The Music Program consists of Instrumental Music, Vocal Music and Classroom Music. Three music specialists teach in the program. Students may begin learning an instrument in grade 4 and continue through grade 8. Students also have an opportunity to sing in various school choirs. Recently the District has added a strings program and is building an orchestra. Students have additional opportunities to play in the Jazz Band, the Drum Line and the Marching Band. The Marching Band is enhanced with a Flag/Drill Team and an ID Unit.
The Marching Band represents the District in local parades, rating festivals and band reviews in Kern County. The band has achieved many top honors over the years. The band has marched in the Disneyland parade several times. Students in the program have qualified for the Kern County Honor Band or Orchestra.
The District has four beautiful libraries that are well stocked with both fiction and nonfiction books. There is an abundance of books to satisfy any child’s desire to read for enjoyment or to research answers to puzzling questions. Students have regular opportunities to visit the library during school in order to check out books or complete research. In addition, the library is open to students before school, during recess, lunch and after school. The libraries have small computer centers with computers having internet access. The District employs a full time credentialed librarian. Each library is staffed by a Library Clerk or Library Assistant.
Computer labs are available at three of the four school sites. The labs have 34-40 networked computers with internet access. The labs are used to supplement classroom instruction. The Junior High has a technology lab in addition to a computer lab. All labs are equipped with up-to-date technology. Instead of a lab, Sequoia School has a class set of 20 or 30 lap top computers for every four classrooms.
The District offers a Gifted and Talented Education Program (G.A.T.E.) G.A.T.E. classes are scheduled on Thursdays, after the regular school day.
There is a swimming pool on the Junior High campus that is utilized during the Physical Education Program.
The District's 6th grade students have an opportunity to participate in a week long out door education program. The program supplements prior classroom science instruction. Students are bussed 60 miles to SCICON in the foothills near Springville, California. Students return at the end of the week excited about their learning experience.
Each year the District schedules an Author Day. Over the years many authors have come to visit Richland students. Children read the author's books prior to the author's coming and look forward to the special day.
There is an annual sleepover for the District's fourth grade students that achieve established reading goals. Teachers volunteer an evening and have reading and other fun activities ready for the students that sleep overnight at the District's Activity Center.
The District hosts an annual science fair in which all District students may participate. Hundreds of students from all grade levels submit projects to be judged. Top rated projects are submitted to the Kern County Science Fair.
With District funds, grants and some donated funds District students have opportunities for fieldtrips. Regular fieldtrips are: Kern County Museum - Pioneer Village, CALM, Buena Vista Museum, dairies, ostrich farm, horse ranch, Christmas tree farm, Edminston Pumping Plant, cultural activities at the Bakersfield Convention Center, Bakersfield Blades games, Bakersfield Condors games, trips to a California mission, Montoña de Oro and music competitions. Special trips have included Reagan Library, Museum of Tolerance, a UCLA football game, Jazz Festival, the State Capital, LA Zoo and the Long Beach Aquarium.
Students enrolled in the Migrant Education Program have an opportunity to participate in the "Close-Up Program" Students study how government works. They participate in service projects. They work on developing leadership skills. Some of the students are selected to fly for a visit in Washington D.C.
Upon completion of Eighth Grade students attend Shafter High School which is part of the Kern High School District.
Richland School District has an active parent support group that plans an annual barbeque-carnival for the community. The carnival is fun for all those attending. It is also an opportunity for the community to get together and have fun.
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