Top Rankings
Desert Sands Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2024 school year, there are 34 public schools serving 26,695 students in Desert Sands Unified School District. This district's average testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in California.
Public Schools in Desert Sands Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 84% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
34 Schools
10,378 Schools
# Students
26,695 Students
5,877,829 Students
# Teachers
1,103 Teachers
267,754 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
24:1
24:1
District Rank
Desert Sands Unified School District, which is ranked #1084 of all 1,939 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 94% has increased from 89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#1068 out of 1941 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
25%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
24%
29%
Graduation Rate
94%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.41
0.63
# American Indian Students
53 Students
27,207 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
753 Students
696,650 Students
% Asian Students
3%
12%
# Hispanic Students
20,001 Students
3,281,593 Students
% Hispanic Students
75%
56%
# Black Students
399 Students
296,698 Students
% Black Students
2%
5%
# White Students
4,355 Students
1,235,110 Students
% White Students
16%
21%
# Hawaiian Students
17 Students
24,653 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
1,117 Students
309,952 Students
% of Two or more races Students
4%
5%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
-
18
# Students in K Grade:
2,037
469,575
# Students in 1st Grade:
1,794
408,278
# Students in 2nd Grade:
1,833
421,129
# Students in 3rd Grade:
1,816
426,453
# Students in 4th Grade:
1,857
432,771
# Students in 5th Grade:
1,974
440,675
# Students in 6th Grade:
1,911
440,627
# Students in 7th Grade:
2,003
434,997
# Students in 8th Grade:
2,133
455,821
# Students in 9th Grade:
2,342
484,176
# Students in 10th Grade:
2,350
494,854
# Students in 11th Grade:
2,305
478,576
# Students in 12th Grade:
2,340
489,879
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $17,913 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,801. The school district revenue/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,204 is less than the state median of $18,236. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$478 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$433 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$17,913
$19,801
Spending / Student
$16,204
$18,236
Best Desert Sands Unified School District Public Schools (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
George Washington Charter
Charter School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
45-768 Portola Ave.
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 862-4350
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 862-4350
Grades: K-5
| 741 students
Rank: #22.
James Monroe Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
42-100 Yucca Ln.
Indio, CA 92203
(760) 772-4130
Indio, CA 92203
(760) 772-4130
Grades: K-5
| 586 students
Rank: #33.
James Earl Carter Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
74-251 Hovley Ln. E.
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 862-4370
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 862-4370
Grades: K-5
| 528 students
Rank: #44.
Palm Desert High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
74-910 Aztec Rd.
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 862-4300
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 862-4300
Grades: 9-12
| 2,122 students
Rank: #55.
Gerald R. Ford Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
44-210 Warner Trail
Indian Wells, CA 92210
(760) 772-4120
Indian Wells, CA 92210
(760) 772-4120
Grades: K-5
| 624 students
Rank: #66.
Palm Desert Charter Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
74-200 Rutledge Way
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 862-4320
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 862-4320
Grades: 6-8
| 1,298 students
Rank: #77.
Amelia Earhart Elementary School Of International Studies
(Math: 43% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
45-250 Dune Palms Rd.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 200-3720
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 200-3720
Grades: K-5
| 805 students
Rank: #88.
Ronald Reagan Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
39-800 Liberty Dr.
Palm Desert, CA 92211
(760) 772-0456
Palm Desert, CA 92211
(760) 772-0456
Grades: K-5
| 801 students
Rank: #99.
John Glenn Middle School Of International Studies
(Math: 33% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
79-655 Miles Ave.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 200-3700
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 200-3700
Grades: 6-8
| 1,092 students
Rank: #1010.
Martin Van Buren Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
47-733 Van Buren St.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3870
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3870
Grades: K-5
| 537 students
Rank: #1111.
Harry S. Truman Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
78-870 Ave. 50
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 777-4230
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 777-4230
Grades: K-5
| 663 students
Rank: #1212.
La Quinta High School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
79-255 Blackhawk Way
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 772-4150
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 772-4150
Grades: 9-12
| 2,582 students
Rank: #1313.
Richard R. Oliphant Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
41-633 Gore St.
Indio, CA 92203
(760) 834-3231
Indio, CA 92203
(760) 834-3231
Grades: K-5
| 614 students
Rank: #1414.
La Quinta Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
78-900 Ave. 50
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 777-4220
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 777-4220
Grades: 6-8
| 719 students
Rank: #1515.
Dr. Reynaldo J. Carreon Jr. Academy
(Math: 23% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
47-368 Monroe St.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 863-1544
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 863-1544
Grades: K-5
| 587 students
Rank: #1616.
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
77-800 Calle Tampico
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 238-9424
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 238-9424
Grades: K-5
| 567 students
Rank: #1717.
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
43-495 Palm Royale Dr.
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 238-9710
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 238-9710
Grades: 6-8
| 520 students
Rank: #1818.
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
74-100 Rutledge Way
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 862-4340
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 862-4340
Grades: K-5
| 577 students
Rank: #1919.
Shadow Hills High School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
39-225 Jefferson St.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 393-5400
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 393-5400
Grades: 9-12
| 1,952 students
Rank: #2020.
Horizon
Alternative School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
43-330 Palm Royale Dr.
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 238-9720
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 238-9720
Grades: K-12
| 780 students
Rank: #2121.
Andrew Jackson Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
82-850 Kenner Ave.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3830
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3830
Grades: K-5
| 675 students
Rank: #2222.
Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
83-200 Dr. Carreon Blvd.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3860
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3860
Grades: K-5
| 460 students
Rank: #2323.
Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
44-640 Clinton St.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 863-3680
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 863-3680
Grades: K-5
| 525 students
Rank: #2424.
Carrillo Ranch Elementary School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
43-775 Madison St.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 238-9700
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 238-9700
Grades: K-5
| 501 students
Rank: #2525.
Desert Ridge Academy
(Math: 12% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
79-767 Ave. 39
Indio, CA 92203
(760) 393-5500
Indio, CA 92203
(760) 393-5500
Grades: 6-8
| 998 students
Rank: #2626.
James Madison Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
50-800 Desert Club Dr.
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 775-3850
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 775-3850
Grades: K-5
| 356 students
Rank: #2727.
Indio High School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
81-750 Ave. 46
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3550
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3550
Grades: 9-12
| 2,016 students
Rank: #2828.
Summit High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
43-330 Palm Royale Dr.
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 238-9760
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 238-9760
Grades: 10-12
| 159 students
Rank: #2929.
Herbert Hoover Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
44-300 Monroe St.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3820
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3820
Grades: K-5
| 355 students
Rank: #3030.
Indio Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
81-195 Miles Ave.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3800
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3800
Grades: 6-8
| 763 students
Rank: #3131.
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
83-089 Highway 111
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 863-3660
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 863-3660
Grades: 6-8
| 501 students
Rank: #3232.
John F. Kennedy Elementary School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
45-100 Clinton St.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3840
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3840
Grades: K-5
| 436 students
Rank: #3333.
Amistad High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
83-501 Dillon Ave.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3570
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3570
Grades: 9-12
| 255 students
Rank: n/an/a
50-800 Desert Club Dr.
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 777-4260
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 777-4260
Grades: K-1
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Desert Sands Unified School District?
Desert Sands Unified School District manages 34 public schools serving 26,695 students.
What is the rank of Desert Sands Unified School District?
Desert Sands Unified School District is ranked #1084 out of 1,939 school districts in California (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of California school districts for: Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Desert Sands Unified School District?
75% of Desert Sands Unified School District students are Hispanic, 16% of students are White, 4% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Asian, and 2% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Desert Sands Unified School District?
Desert Sands Unified School District has a student/teacher ratio of 24:1, which is higher than the California state average of 22:1.
What is Desert Sands Unified School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $16,204 is less than the state median of $18,236. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
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