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Average

#4678 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 49% in state

Cielo Vista Charter

Elementary School · Palm Springs Unified

650 South Paseo Dorotea, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Charter

Enrollment

850

Student-Teacher

22.4:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Palm Springs

#3 of 8

public schools

California elementary schools

#2,883 of 5,817

In district

#10 of 27

Palm Springs Unified

Equity

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Cielo Vista Charter

Cielo Vista Charter serves 850 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Palm Springs, California, operating as a public charter school in the heart of Riverside County. With 38 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.4:1, providing a structured learning environment for its elementary and middle school students. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 74th percentile among California schools at #2537 out of 9566 statewide.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 57% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics performance shows room for growth, with 40% of students meeting proficiency standards. Cielo Vista Charter draws families from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $70,305 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10.8%, with median home values around $456,100, reflecting the area's suburban character. The school sits in Palm Springs' large suburban setting, serving families in the 92264 ZIP code area that houses over 20,000 residents who value both educational opportunity and the distinctive desert community lifestyle that defines this corner of Southern California.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Cielo Vista Charter is 22.4:1, 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.

Cielo Vista Charter is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.3%
Math vs. State Avg-7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.5 pts
Overall Proficiency48%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected+25.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,524

Cielo Vista Charter — Students at Cielo Vista Charter score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 40.5%
School
State
36.8%
ELA Proficiency 58.5%
School
State
45.8%

Based on 16 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
66%
2024
Math
39.6%
ELA
57.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.8/10.

How Cielo Vista Charter Compares

See how Cielo Vista Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
51th percentile in CA
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

650 South Paseo Dorotea, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cielo Vista Charter may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sunny Sands Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Cathedral City), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PALM SPRINGS (rated 7.5/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST THERESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Palm Springs, see our Palm Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Virtual Pre Palm Springs 0.9 mi
ST THERESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Springs 0.9 mi 6.7
Agua Caliente Elementary Cathedral City 1.0 mi 6.6
Palm Springs High Palm Springs 1.2 mi 7.0
Desert Learning Academy Palm Springs 1.3 mi 5.8
Desert Chapel Christian Palm Springs 1.6 mi
King's Schools of the Desert Palm Springs 1.8 mi
Mt. San Jacinto High Cathedral City 1.7 mi 5.9
KING'S SCHOOLS OF THE DESERT Palm Springs 1.8 mi 5.6
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PALM SPRINGS Palm Springs 2.0 mi 7.5
Landau Elementary Cathedral City 1.9 mi 6.3
Cahuilla Elementary Palm Springs 2.2 mi 5.5
Katherine Finchy Elementary Palm Springs 2.7 mi 5.6
Rio Vista Elementary Cathedral City 2.9 mi 5.4
Raymond Cree Middle Palm Springs 2.9 mi 7.5
Sunny Sands Elementary Cathedral City 2.8 mi 7.9
Cathedral City High Cathedral City 3.0 mi 8.8
James Workman Middle Cathedral City 3.0 mi 6.0
Cathedral City Elementary Cathedral City 3.1 mi 5.3
Nellie N. Coffman Middle Cathedral City 3.1 mi 6.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cielo Vista Charter has a median household income of $75,246. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $498,200, with a median rent of $1,581/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. 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
Alameda Elementary Downey, CA 6.4
Bahia Vista Elementary San Rafael, CA 6.4
Bing Wong Elementary San Bernardino, CA 6.4
Bridgeport Elementary Valencia, CA 6.4
Castle Rock Elementary Diamond Bar, CA 6.4
Cesar Chavez Elementary Madera, CA 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cielo Vista Charter

What grades does Cielo Vista Charter serve?

Cielo Vista Charter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Cielo Vista Charter?

Cielo Vista Charter has an enrollment of approximately 850 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cielo Vista Charter?

The student-teacher ratio at Cielo Vista Charter is 22.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cielo Vista Charter rank in CA?

Cielo Vista Charter is ranked #4678 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Cielo Vista Charter's MySchoolScout rating?

Cielo Vista Charter has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Cielo Vista Charter?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cielo Vista Charter has 40.5% math proficiency and 58.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cielo Vista Charter a charter school?

Yes, Cielo Vista Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Cielo Vista Charter a Title I school?

No, Cielo Vista Charter is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cielo Vista Charter?

92.1% of students at Cielo Vista Charter 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 (3,837/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
850
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Riverside County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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