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Average

#7145 of 9,539 schools in CA

Cahuilla Elementary

Elementary School · Palm Springs Unified

833 East Mesquite Ave., Palm Springs, CA 92264

Enrollment

413

Student-Teacher

20.6:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,145 of 9,539

In Palm Springs

#8 of 8

public schools

In district

#21 of 27

Palm Springs Unified

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Cahuilla Elementary

5.1/10

Elementary School in Palm Springs · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Desert Chapel Christian

Nearby

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Desert Learning Academy

7.1/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Cahuilla Elementary

Cahuilla Elementary is a public elementary school in Palm Springs, CA, part of Palm Springs Unified. Cahuilla Elementary serves approximately 413 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 20.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Cahuilla Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #7,145 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Cahuilla Elementary show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.3 pts below district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Cahuilla Elementary runs 20.6:1 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.

50% of students at Cahuilla Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.12 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-22 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.9 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)23% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,811
Chronic Absenteeism50.4%

Cahuilla Elementary — Students at Cahuilla Elementary score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 39.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 41.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
65%
ELA
51%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
54%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
53%
2012
Math
61%
ELA
49%
2014
Math
24%
ELA
28%
2015
Math
33%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
33%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
40%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
40%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
23.2%
ELA
38.6%
2024
Math
23.6%
ELA
37%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.8/10.

How Cahuilla Elementary Compares

See how Cahuilla Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
25th percentile in CA
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
50.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

833 East Mesquite Ave., Palm Springs, CA 92264

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cahuilla Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PALM SPRINGS (rated 7.5/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vista del Monte Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sunny Sands Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Cathedral City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Palm Springs, see our Palm Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Desert Chapel Christian Palm Springs 0.7 mi
Desert Learning Academy Palm Springs 1.1 mi 7.1
Palm Springs High Palm Springs 1.2 mi 7.2
ST THERESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Springs 1.4 mi 6.7
Katherine Finchy Elementary Palm Springs 2.0 mi 5.3
Raymond Cree Middle Palm Springs 2.5 mi 7.5
Cielo Vista Charter Palm Springs 2.2 mi 6.2
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PALM SPRINGS Palm Springs 2.9 mi 7.5
Virtual Pre Palm Springs 2.8 mi
Vista del Monte Elementary Palm Springs 3.3 mi 7.3
Agua Caliente Elementary Cathedral City 3.0 mi 5.0
King's Schools of the Desert Palm Springs 3.4 mi
KING'S SCHOOLS OF THE DESERT Palm Springs 3.5 mi 5.6
Mt. San Jacinto High Cathedral City 3.8 mi 7.0
Landau Elementary Cathedral City 3.9 mi 5.6
Rio Vista Elementary Cathedral City 4.5 mi 4.7
Sunny Sands Elementary Cathedral City 5.0 mi 6.8
Cathedral City Elementary Cathedral City 5.0 mi 5.4
Cathedral City High Cathedral City 5.0 mi 8.2
Nellie N. Coffman Middle Cathedral City 5.1 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92264 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,246

Median Home Value

$498,200

Median Rent

$1,581/mo

Population

20,250

College Educated

48.1%

Homeownership

68.4%

Avg Commute

24.2 min

Poverty Rate

9.8%

Median Age

60.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ada Givens Elementary Merced, CA 5.1
Albert Baxter Elementary Bellflower, CA 5.1
Allan Orrenmaa Elementary Riverside, CA 5.1
Alta Sierra Elementary Grass Valley, CA 5.1
Alta Vista Elementary Porterville, CA 5.1
Arovista Elementary Brea, CA 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cahuilla Elementary

What grades does Cahuilla Elementary serve?

Cahuilla Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Cahuilla Elementary?

Cahuilla Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 413 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cahuilla Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Cahuilla Elementary is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cahuilla Elementary rank in CA?

Cahuilla Elementary ranks #7,145 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Cahuilla Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Cahuilla Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cahuilla Elementary has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Cahuilla Elementary a charter school?

No, Cahuilla Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cahuilla Elementary a Title I school?

No, Cahuilla Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cahuilla Elementary?

90.3% of students at Cahuilla Elementary 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

Walk Score
58 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
58 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
413
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Riverside County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
50.4%

District

Palm Springs Unified
District Enrollment
20,416
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,811
District Rank
#21 of 27

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