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 2025 school year, there are 35 public schools serving 25,897 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 85% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
35 Schools
10,369 Schools
# Students
25,897 Students
5,826,838 Students
# Teachers
1,090 Teachers
268,018 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
24:1
24:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Desert Sands Unified School District, which is ranked #1079 of all 1,925 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
0.40
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
3%
12%
% Hispanic
76%
56%
% Black
2%
5%
% White
15%
20%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $18,465 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,703 is less than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$478 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$433 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$18,465
$19,974
Spending / Student
$16,703
$18,396
Best Desert Sands Unified School District Public Schools (2025)
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
| 756 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
| 537 students
Rank: #33.
James Earl Carter Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
74-251 Hovley Ln. East
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 862-4370
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 862-4370
Grades: K-5
| 517 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
| 2,039 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
| 615 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
| 1,389 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
| 762 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
| 818 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
| 1,065 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
| 535 students
Rank: #1111.
Harry S. Truman Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
78-870 Avenue 50
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 777-4230
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 777-4230
Grades: K-5
| 644 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
| 2,488 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
| 606 students
Rank: #1414.
La Quinta Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
78-900 Avenue 50
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 777-4220
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 777-4220
Grades: 6-8
| 688 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
| 598 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
| 622 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
| 397 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
| 593 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
| 1,702 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
| 356 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
| 762 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
| 491 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
| 567 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
| 471 students
Rank: #2525.
Desert Ridge Academy
(Math: 12% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
79-767 Avenue 39
Indio, CA 92203
(760) 393-5500
Indio, CA 92203
(760) 393-5500
Grades: 6-8
| 1,018 students
Rank: #2626.
James Madison Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
80-845 Avenue 46
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3850
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3850
Grades: K-5
| 376 students
Rank: #2727.
Indio High School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
81-750 Avenue 46
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3550
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3550
Grades: 9-12
| 2,027 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
| 167 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
| 335 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
| 780 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
| 535 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
| 386 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
| 196 students
Rank: n/an/a
Desert Sands A.t.l.a.s.
Special Education School
83-391 Dillon Ave
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3810
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3810
Grades: 12
| 59 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 35 public schools serving 25,897 students.
What is the rank of Desert Sands Unified School District?
Desert Sands Unified School District is ranked #1079 out of 1,925 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?
76% of Desert Sands Unified School District students are Hispanic, 15% 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 $16,703 is less than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
