Do It First! Enroll in CAAT’s 1st High School Class

Do you like to be first in line? Ready to try something that’s never been done before? Enroll in the first 9th grade class at the Central Academy of Arts and Technology (CAAT), the first tuition-free school of choice in Bakersfield and make history!

Why It Matters

After a successful inaugural year educating Bakersfield’s TK-8th grade students, CAAT is expanding, adding more classes at each grade level and a 9th grade for the 2025-26 school year. By 2028 CAAT will grow the high school to include all 4 upper grades.

Enroll in the Class of 2029

CAAT was specifically designed to provide the education Bakersfield families want for their kids – a focus on art and technology and preparation for college. We offer a personalized approach to education for our high schoolers that includes

• AP courses

• Dual enrollment

• Individualized college and career counseling

• Free SAT prep

Every Upper School scholar will complete the general education courses CSUs and UCs require while enrolled here. That’s a significant financial savings for families.

"Our plan and our belief are that this means everybody is competitively prepared

to go to a four-year university. That’s our ultimate goal.”

Joanna Kendrick, Executive Director

Our college readiness courses prepare scholars with real life experiences like

• Time, money, and stress management

• Navigating bureaucracies

• Adaptability skills

• Self-advocacy

• Social networking

The Arts & Technology in Upper School

There are 3 arts pathways for Upper School scholars: visual, performing, and media arts, which includes film, photography, literature, and journalism.

And because our students are tech-savvy, technology is woven into everything we do. Our technology courses include

• Coding

• Graphic & web design

• Robotics

• Science camp

• Gaming

That’s not all. We have an esports team and an arcade!

There’ll be parties, dances, and proms, too. Plus, CAAT scholars are encouraged to organize and lead clubs to build community within our school.

Want to know more? Join us for a Tuesday Tour every week at 10am. You’ll see how cool our downtown campus is, meet our teachers, and learn more about the benefits of being a founder in CAAT’s 9th grade.

About Central Academy of Arts and Technology

Come grow with us at the Central Academy of Arts and Technology (CAAT), the first and only tuition-free, TK- high school public charter school centrally located in downtown Bakersfield. Founded in 2024, CAAT offers the education Bakersfield families want for their children: tuition-free, college preparatory, arts and technology-focused, located on a safe, secure campus. We cultivate talents and celebrate individuality at CAAT while fostering creativity, critical thinking, and innovation. The seed for college attendance is planted in even our youngest scholars. CAAT prepares every graduate to attend a 4-year university. Enroll now.  Find us at caatcharterschool.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.