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Average

#4363 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 46% in state

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

6.5

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Coachella

#7 of 9

public schools

California middle schools

#623 of 1,349

In district

#12 of 21

Coachella Valley Unified

School environment

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High

Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High is a regular public middle school located in Coachella, California. Serving students in grades seven and eight, the school has an enrollment of 706 students with a student-teacher ratio of 21.4:1. With 33 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High aims to provide quality education to its diverse community.

The academic performance at Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High currently stands at the 29th percentile among schools in California, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 3.5 out of 10. In terms of proficiency levels, 31% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while only 20% are proficient or above in Math. These scores suggest there is room for improvement in academic achievement.

Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High is situated in a rural area near the town of Coachella, offering students a unique setting that combines small-town charm with access to educational resources and opportunities. The school's location allows it to serve as an important community center where students can engage in various activities and build strong relationships with their peers and teachers.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High is 21.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency29.5%
Math vs. State Avg-13.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.8 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected-2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,466

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 20.4%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 31.5%
School
State
46.8%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
23%
ELA
33%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
36%
2024
Math
20.3%
ELA
29.5%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High Compares

See how Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
54th percentile in CA
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

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 7.5/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Thomas Jefferson Middle (rated 5.2/10, 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 5.9
Mountain Vista Elementary Indio 1.8 mi 7.5
Westside Elementary Thermal 2.0 mi 7.8
NOVA Academy - Coachella Santa Ana 2.0 mi 4.4
Coachella Valley High Thermal 2.3 mi 5.7
Dr. Reynaldo J. Carreon Jr. Academy Indio 2.5 mi 4.0
Peter Pendleton Elementary Coachella 2.1 mi 8.9
Theodore Roosevelt Elementary Indio 2.7 mi 3.4
Martin Van Buren Elementary Indio 2.6 mi 4.0
Cesar Chavez Elementary Coachella 2.5 mi 6.8
Thomas Jefferson Middle Indio 3.1 mi 5.2
Indio High Indio 3.1 mi 5.2
Valley View Elementary Coachella 2.7 mi 6.9
Bobby Duke Middle Coachella 2.8 mi 7.5
Palm View Elementary Coachella 2.8 mi 8.1
Doves Landing School Indio 3.5 mi
Al Vasquez Learning Center Indio 3.5 mi
James Madison Elementary Indio 3.5 mi 4.3
John F. Kennedy Elementary Indio 3.7 mi 3.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High has a median household income of $67,235. It is a community where 6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $342,500, with a median rent of $1,113/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Alamitos Intermediate Garden Grove, CA 6.5
Andrew N. Christensen Middle Livermore, CA 6.5
Animo James B. Taylor Charter Middle Los Angeles, CA 6.5
Crystal Middle Suisun City, CA 6.5
Excelsior Elementary Roseville, CA 6.5
First Avenue Middle Arcadia, CA 6.5

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 is ranked #4363 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?

Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High has a composite rating of 6.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High has 20.4% math proficiency and 31.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,849/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Coachella). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Coachella Valley Unified
District Enrollment
16,046
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,412
District Rank
#12 of 21

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 methodology

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