Average
#5607 of 9,539 schools in CA
Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High
Middle School · Coachella Valley Unified
82-489 Avenue 52, Coachella, CA 92236
Enrollment
706
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
706
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#5,607 of 9,539
In Coachella
#7 of 9
public schools
In district
#7 of 21
Coachella Valley Unified
Shortlisting around Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High
Middle School in Coachella · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Imagine Schools Riverside County
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Coral Mountain Academy
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High
Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High is a public middle school in Coachella, CA, part of Coachella Valley Unified. Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High serves approximately 706 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 21.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #5,607 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.9 · Average
- District avg 5.7
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High runs 21.4:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
41% of students at Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High — Students at Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.0/10.
How Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High Compares
See how Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
82-489 Avenue 52, Coachella, CA 92236
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Bobby Duke Middle (rated 5.9/10, 2.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Thomas Jefferson Middle (rated 4.2/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Indio), a more accessible option. For more schools in Coachella, see our Coachella schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Imagine Schools Riverside County Coachella | 1.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Coral Mountain Academy Coachella | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Mountain Vista Elementary Indio | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Westside Elementary Thermal | 2.0 mi | 5.5 |
| NOVA Academy - Coachella Santa Ana | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Coachella Valley High Thermal | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Dr. Reynaldo J. Carreon Jr. Academy Indio | 2.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Peter Pendleton Elementary Coachella | 2.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Theodore Roosevelt Elementary Indio | 2.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Martin Van Buren Elementary Indio | 2.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Cesar Chavez Elementary Coachella | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Thomas Jefferson Middle Indio | 3.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Indio High Indio | 3.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Valley View Elementary Coachella | 2.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Bobby Duke Middle Coachella | 2.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Palm View Elementary Coachella | 2.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Doves Landing School Indio | 3.5 mi | — |
| Al Vasquez Learning Center Indio | 3.5 mi | — |
| James Madison Elementary Indio | 3.5 mi | 3.2 |
| John F. Kennedy Elementary Indio | 3.7 mi | 3.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92236 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,235
Median Home Value
$342,500
Median Rent
$1,113/mo
Population
42,884
College Educated
5.7%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
23.5 min
Poverty Rate
10.5%
Median Age
33.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bobby Duke Middle Coachella, CA | 5.9 |
| Cesar Chavez Middle Oceanside, CA | 5.9 |
| Chalone Peaks Middle King City, CA | 5.9 |
| Hamilton Middle Long Beach, CA | 5.9 |
| Hoover Middle Lakewood, CA | 5.9 |
| Lakeview Junior High Orcutt, CA | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High
What grades does Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High serve?
Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High?
Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 706 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High?
The student-teacher ratio at Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High rank in CA?
Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High ranks #5,607 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High a charter school?
No, Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High a Title I school?
No, Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High?
83.9% of students at Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 706
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Riverside County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 40.8%
- Phone
- (760) 398-0097
Resources & Links
District
Coachella Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 16,046
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,412
- District Rank
- #7 of 21
Other Schools in This District
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 rateRelated 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.