Best Schools in La Quinta, California
9 schools · 2 Elementary · 3 Middle · 3 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in La Quinta?
Use this page to compare every school in La Quinta by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Horizon
Other · Desert Sands Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Harry S. Truman Elementary
Elementary · Desert Sands Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
La Quinta High
High · Desert Sands Unified. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in La Quinta for 2026 are Horizon (7.3/10), Harry S. Truman Elementary (6.8/10), and La Quinta High (6.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
9
7 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$612,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
9
7 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$612,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +4.1 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among La Quinta schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in La Quinta
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 rated schools; 9 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Horizon | 7.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Harry S. Truman Elementary | 6.8 / 10 |
| 3 | La Quinta High | 6.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Benjamin Franklin Elementary | 6.4 / 10 |
| 5 | La Quinta Middle | 5.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle | 4.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Summit High (continuation) | 4.0 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $97,397
- Median home value
- $612,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 39%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 75%
14% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How La Quinta compares
California rank
#432 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.4
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$97k
98% of California median
Schools in this city
7
Desert Sands Unified runs La Quinta's public schools
7 public schools. Desert Sands Unified is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in La Quinta is a Desert Sands Unified school (7 of 7).
Among 7 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.0 to 7.3 — the spread is inside La Quinta, not a citywide average.
About Schools in La Quinta, California
La Quinta, California is home to 9 schools, including 7 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in La Quinta show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in La Quinta is Horizon with a composite score of 7.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
La Quinta is served by 1 school district: Desert Sands Unified. These districts collectively serve 25,898 students.
La Quinta's community shows 39% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $97,397. The poverty rate in the area is 9.1%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 644 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.8 |
| 2 | 622 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.4 |
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 688 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 | ||
| 2 | 397 students · 6th–8th | 4.8 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 24 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,488 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 | ||
| 2 | 167 students · 10th–12th | 4.0 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Desert ChristianPrivate 23 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 356 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.3 |
Schools in La Quinta
La Quinta, California · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$97,397
Median Home Value
$612,800
Median Rent
$1,741/mo
Population
38,281
College Educated
39%
Homeownership
75%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Community Profile
La Quinta has a median household income of $97,397. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $612,800, with a median rent of $1,741/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 3
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in La Quinta, California
How many schools are in La Quinta, California?
La Quinta has 9 schools, including 7 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in La Quinta, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in La Quinta is 6.0 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in La Quinta, California?
The top-ranked school in La Quinta on MySchoolScout is Horizon with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in La Quinta, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in La Quinta on MySchoolScout is Harry S. Truman Elementary with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best middle school in La Quinta, California?
The top-ranked middle school in La Quinta on MySchoolScout is La Quinta Middle with a composite score of 5.8/10.
What is the best high school in La Quinta, California?
The top-ranked high school in La Quinta on MySchoolScout is La Quinta High with a composite score of 6.7/10.
How many school districts serve La Quinta, California?
La Quinta is served by 1 school district: Desert Sands Unified.
What is the education level in La Quinta, California?
According to Census data, 39% of adults in La Quinta have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in La Quinta, California?
The median household income in La Quinta is approximately $97,397 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in La Quinta, California?
Yes, La Quinta has 2 private schools alongside 7 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in La Quinta, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in La Quinta is 20.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in La Quinta, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.