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
Enrollment
706
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
6.5
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 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 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.9/10.
How Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High Compares
See how Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 23% (2019) to 20.26% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 29.49% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (760) 398-0097
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Coachella Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 16,046
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,412
- District Rank
- #12 of 21
Other Schools in This District
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.
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