In the late 1940's, it became apparent that the existing high schools in the Kern High School District were not sufficient in number for the accelerated growth of greater Bakersfield.
Thus, after several years of planning, ground was broken on March 23, 1952, for the construction of North High School. As envisioned, the school was to be the most efficiently planned and most attractive high school in California…and so it is. Certainly it was a beautiful architectural departure from the traditional facilities of the only other existing high schools in Greater Bakersfield at the time, Bakersfield High School and East Bakersfield High School, and ushered in the modern campus concept.
September 8, 1953, first classes were held at North High under the principalship of Jack M. Hill, previously Principal of Shafter High School. Enrollment that first year was 625 students, freshman and sophomores, with 28 teachers and counselors.
Second year enrollment grew to 927 with 49 on the staff, and the third year enrollment swelled to 1,300 guided by a staff of 50. Today, North High’s enrollment is over 2,000 students and certificated staff over 80.
North High School Principals
In 1953, Jack Hill became North High's first principal. He served for two years until his untimely death.
In Mid-1955, George Williamson became NHS's second principal until his retirement in 1965.
In 1965, Jack Hilton, the North's vice principal since it’s opening, took over as NHS's third principal. He served four years until taking a district administrative position.
In 1969, Mr. Harold Corrie, a former Shafter H.S. principal, was appointed to head North High. Mr. Corrie eventually replaced Mr. Hilton at the district office in 1973.
In 1973, Dr. Richard M. Brown; formerly vice-president of instruction at North, became the principal. In January 1985, Dr. Brown took on a leadership role of a task force at the district office.
In January 1985, C. Warner Brooks, formerly assistant principal at Arvin H.S., became our new principal. He remained the principal until becoming the assistant superintendent for instruction at the district office.
In 1989, William B. Bimat was appointed principal. Mr. Bimat served until December 1994, when he succumbed to cancer.
In February 1995, Jim Wren became the new principal. Mr. Wren retired at the end of 1997-98 school year.
In 1998, Mr. Bryon Schaefer, a former dean of students and assistant principal at North, was appointed principal. He served as principal until 2010 when he became the assistant superintendent of personnel at the district office.
In 2010, Alan Paradise was appointed principal.
In December 2015, Mark Balch took over as the principal of NHS until he moved to a district office administrative position in 2023.
Since 2023, Dr. Jodi Shuppert has lead North High School as our principal.
Success in many fields - curricular, athletic, musical, public speaking, art and drama, to mention a few, marked the first two years of the school’s history, and since then the high standards of excellence met in those early years have continued to be met in all departments. North High has graduated many community leaders and continues to do so to this day. Academically, North High School's Agriculture Program one of the finest in the state and North High students continue to excel in all other educational disciplines. NHS students can enjoy classes in a wide range of subjects, from the core curriculum to Forensics and Web Design!
