Best Schools in Palm Desert, California
19 schools · 13 Elementary · 1 Middle · 5 High
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.8/10
- Median household income
- $79,967
- Median home value
- $499,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 41%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
10% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Palm Desert compares
California rank
#415 of 596
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.5
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$80k
80% of California median
Schools in this city
10
About Schools in Palm Desert, California
Palm Desert, California is home to 19 schools, including 6 public schools and 13 private schools. The city's schools span 13 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 5 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.8 out of 10, schools in Palm Desert show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Palm Desert is Palm Desert High with a composite score of 8.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Palm Desert is served by 1 school district: Desert Sands Unified. These districts collectively serve 25,898 students.
Palm Desert's community shows 41% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $79,967. The poverty rate in the area is 10.9%.
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
13 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 517 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | 756 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.7 | ||
| 3 | 818 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.3 | ||
| 4 | 593 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.3 | ||
| Private Schools 9 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | PALM DESERT LEARNING TREE CENTER
Private
130 students · Pre-K–5th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | DESERT ADVENTIST SCHOOL
Private
31 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | SACRED HEART SCHOOL
Private
546 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Aleph Schoolhouse
Private
18 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Morning Stars Learning Program
Private
7 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | Palm Desert Learning Tree Center
Private
90 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | Desert Adventist School
Private
38 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 8 | MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF THE DESERT
Private
12 students · Kindergarten–4th | Not Rated | ||
| 9 | TOT STOP PRESCHOOL
Private
12 students · Pre-K–TK | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,389 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 |
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,039 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 559 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Head2Heart Scholars
Private
46 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Coachella Valley Arts Institute
Private
30 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | 533 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Palm Desert
Palm Desert, California · 19 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$79,967
Median Home Value
$499,600
Median Rent
$1,779/mo
Population
58,126
College Educated
41%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Community Profile
Palm Desert has a median household income of $79,967. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $499,600, with a median rent of $1,779/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- California
- Total Schools
- 19
- Elementary
- 13
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 5
- Districts
- 1
- Avg Rating
- 5.8/10
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Palm Desert, California
How many schools are in Palm Desert, California?
Palm Desert has 19 schools, including 6 public and 13 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Palm Desert, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Palm Desert is 5.8 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Palm Desert, California?
The top-ranked school in Palm Desert on MySchoolScout is Palm Desert High with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Palm Desert, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Palm Desert on MySchoolScout is James Earl Carter Elementary with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Palm Desert, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Palm Desert on MySchoolScout is Palm Desert Charter Middle with a composite score of 5.3/10.
What is the best high school in Palm Desert, California?
The top-ranked high school in Palm Desert on MySchoolScout is Palm Desert High with a composite score of 8.0/10.
How many school districts serve Palm Desert, California?
Palm Desert is served by 1 school district: Desert Sands Unified.
What is the education level in Palm Desert, California?
According to Census data, 41% of adults in Palm Desert have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Palm Desert, California?
The median household income in Palm Desert is approximately $79,967 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Palm Desert, California?
Yes, Palm Desert has 13 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Xavier College Preparatory High School with a score of 6.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Palm Desert, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Palm Desert is 15.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Palm Desert, 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.