Desert Sands Unified School District
School District · La Quinta, California
Avg Rating
5.0
out of 10
Schools
34
19 elem, 7 mid, 7 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,070
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.8:1
Avg Rating
5.0
out of 10
Schools
34
19 elem, 7 mid, 7 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,070
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.8:1
How this district compares
California rank
#650 of 713
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
-1.3
below California avg
Per-pupil spending
$17,070
$577 vs California median
District size
25,898 students
Much larger than California median
About Desert Sands Unified
Desert Sands Unified is a La Quinta, California school district serving 34 schools. The district educates 25,898 students with a student-teacher ratio of 23.8:1. The district invests $17,070 per student annually.
With an average rating of 5.0/10, Desert Sands Unified demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Palm Desert High, which has a composite score of 8.0/10.
In standardized testing, Desert Sands Unified students show an average math proficiency of 27.5% and ELA proficiency of 39.0%.
The district includes 19 elementary schools , 7 middle schools , and 7 high schools.
District Map
Schools in Desert Sands Unified, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Desert Sands Unified with test data.
Schools in Desert Sands Unified
34 schools Elementary Schools 19
Middle Schools 7
High Schools 7
Other Schools 1
District Details
- State
- California
- City
- La Quinta
- Total Enrollment
- 25,898
- Teachers (FTE)
- 1,088
- Child Poverty Rate
- 0.1%
- Data Year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Desert Sands Unified?
Desert Sands Unified has 34 schools in total — 19 elementary, 7 middle, and 7 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Desert Sands Unified?
The average composite rating for Desert Sands Unified is 5.0/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the per-pupil spending in Desert Sands Unified?
Desert Sands Unified spends $17,070 per student per year.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Desert Sands Unified?
The average student-teacher ratio in Desert Sands Unified is 23.8:1.
What is the top-rated school in Desert Sands Unified?
Palm Desert High is the highest-rated school in Desert Sands Unified with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What are the test scores in Desert Sands Unified?
Across schools in Desert Sands Unified with test data, the average math proficiency is 27.5% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 39.0%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Desert Sands Unified compare to other districts in California?
Desert Sands Unified has an average school rating of 5.0/10 across 34 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in California by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings are based on a comprehensive methodology that weighs Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 5.0/10
- Math Proficiency
- 27.5%
- ELA Proficiency
- 39.0%
Resources
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 methodologyOther School Districts in CA
Compare Desert Sands Unified with neighboring districts in the state.
- Los Angeles Unified (785)
- San Diego Unified (175)
- San Francisco Unified (113)
- Fresno Unified (101)
- Long Beach Unified (82)
- Oakland Unified (82)
- San Bernardino City Unified (76)
- Sacramento City Unified (73)
- San Juan Unified (68)
- Elk Grove Unified (67)
- Garden Grove Unified (66)
- Capistrano Unified (59)
- West Contra Costa Unified (54)
- Stockton Unified (54)
- Corona-norco Unified (53)
- Mt. Diablo Unified (52)
- Santa Ana Unified (52)
- Clovis Unified (50)
- Lodi Unified (49)
- Riverside Unified (49)
- Bakersfield City (45)
- Irvine Unified (45)
- Fontana Unified (44)
- Fremont Unified (44)
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.
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.