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 2024-25 school year, there are 28 public elementary schools serving 17,463 students in Desert Sands Unified School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in California.
Public Elementary Schools in Desert Sands Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the California public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public elementary school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
35 Schools
7,693 Schools
# Students
26,379 Students
3,500,507 Students
# Teachers
1,103 Teachers
172,951 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
24:1
24:1
District Rank
Desert Sands Unified School District, which is ranked #1080 of all 1,931 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
0.65
# American Indian Students
67 Students
16,888 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
749 Students
424,717 Students
% Asian Students
3%
12%
# Hispanic Students
19,912 Students
1,893,805 Students
% Hispanic Students
76%
54%
# Black Students
377 Students
169,690 Students
% Black Students
1%
5%
# White Students
4,118 Students
754,767 Students
% White Students
16%
22%
# Hawaiian Students
22 Students
14,663 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
1,129 Students
219,616 Students
% of Two or more races Students
4%
6%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
-
83
# Students in K Grade:
2,105
451,616
# Students in 1st Grade:
1,817
377,018
# Students in 2nd Grade:
1,772
379,893
# Students in 3rd Grade:
1,853
389,353
# Students in 4th Grade:
1,813
393,562
# Students in 5th Grade:
1,868
398,613
# Students in 6th Grade:
2,031
407,977
# Students in 7th Grade:
1,983
280,783
# Students in 8th Grade:
2,011
277,323
# Students in 9th Grade:
2,241
39,712
# Students in 10th Grade:
2,304
34,198
# Students in 11th Grade:
2,292
33,820
# Students in 12th Grade:
2,289
36,556
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $18,127 in this school district is less than the state median of $21,485. The school district revenue/student has grown by 15% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,398 is less than the state median of $19,787. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$478 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$433 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$18,127
$21,485
Spending / Student
$16,398
$19,787
Best Desert Sands Unified School District Public Elementary Schools (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
George Washington Charter
Magnet School
Charter School
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
| 755 students
Rank: #22.
James Monroe Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 581 students
Rank: #33.
James Earl Carter Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 516 students
Rank: #44.
Gerald R. Ford Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 603 students
Rank: #55.
Palm Desert Charter Middle School
Magnet School
Charter 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
| 1,347 students
Rank: #66.
Amelia Earhart Elementary School Of International Studies
Magnet School
(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
| 782 students
Rank: #77.
Ronald Reagan Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 834 students
Rank: #88.
John Glenn Middle School Of International Studies
Magnet School
(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
| 1,045 students
Rank: #99.
Martin Van Buren Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 529 students
Rank: #1010.
Harry S. Truman Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 666 students
Rank: #1111.
Richard R. Oliphant Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 620 students
Rank: #1212.
La Quinta Middle School
Magnet 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
| 754 students
Rank: #1313.
Dr. Reynaldo J. Carreon Jr. Academy
Magnet School
(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
| 591 students
Rank: #1414.
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 619 students
Rank: #1515.
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School
Magnet 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
| 436 students
Rank: #1616.
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 585 students
Rank: #1717.
Horizon
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
| 414 students
Rank: #1818.
Andrew Jackson Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 748 students
Rank: #1919.
Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 492 students
Rank: #2020.
Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 536 students
Rank: #2121.
Carrillo Ranch Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 492 students
Rank: #2222.
Desert Ridge Academy
Magnet School
(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
| 1,030 students
Rank: #2323.
James Madison Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 377 students
Rank: #2424.
Herbert Hoover Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 343 students
Rank: #2525.
Indio Middle School
Magnet 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
| 784 students
Rank: #2626.
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Magnet 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
| 538 students
Rank: #2727.
John F. Kennedy Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 446 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
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