In addition to the regular curriculum of English, mathematics, social studies, science, foreign language, fine arts, and physical education, KVHS offers students an opportunity to take elective classes including agriculture, business, home economics, music, drafting and woodworking. A wide variety of clubs and co-curricular activities are available for membership to interested students and coordinated by the Associated Student Body. These clubs include Future Homemakers of America, Future Farmers of America, California Scholarship Federation, Business Club, Spanish Club, KV Lettermen's Club, Cor. 15 Bible Club, and Drama Club. School academic teams compete in Academic Decathlon, Mock Trial, Envirothon, and Constitutional Competition.
Students also publish a yearbook and school newspaper.
Before a school was built in the Kern River Valley, students were bussed to Bakersfield where they stayed in dormitories during the week, and returned home on the week-ends. Kernville High School opened its doors to 20 students in 1941. In 1951 when the Lake Isabella Dam was constructed and the resulting reservoir would have covered the school, it was moved to the town of Lake Isabella and renamed Kern Valley High School. As the student population continued to grow, additional classrooms and a gymnasium were constructed. Kern Valley High School is located in Lake Isabella, California, and is one of the comprehensive high schools in the Kern High School District.