Needs Improvement
#8947 of 9,533 schools in CA
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle
Middle School · Desert Sands Unified
43-495 Palm Royale Dr., La Quinta, CA 92253
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
3.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
3.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Quinta
#6 of 7
public schools
California middle schools
#1,297 of 1,349
In district
#26 of 33
Desert Sands Unified
About Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle is a regular public middle school located in La Quinta, California. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 397 students and employs 18 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 22.1:1. The school’s setting is within a large suburban area that offers a blend of residential neighborhoods and nearby amenities.
While the academic performance at Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle currently ranks lower with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 out of 10, the school focuses on continuous improvement to support student development. On state standardized tests, only 28% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while just 13% meet proficiency standards in math. These scores indicate areas where the school is working hard to enhance academic outcomes.
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle is situated in a suburban community that provides a supportive environment for its students.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle is 22.1:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle — Students at Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 2.4/10.
How Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle Compares
See how Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 11.58% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 27.6% (2024).
Location
43-495 Palm Royale Dr., La Quinta, CA 92253
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. La Quinta Middle (rated 5.7/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is John Glenn Middle School of International Studies (rated 5.4/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Indio), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Desert Ridge Academy (rated 3.8/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Indio), with a very similar rating. For more schools in La Quinta, see our La Quinta schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Horizon La Quinta | 0.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Summit High (Continuation) La Quinta | 0.1 mi | 5.9 |
| TOT STOP PRESCHOOL Palm Desert | 0.4 mi | — |
| Palm Desert Learning Tree Center Palm Desert | 0.5 mi | — |
| PALM DESERT LEARNING TREE CENTER Palm Desert | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Gerald R. Ford Elementary Indian Wells | 0.6 mi | 7.3 |
| James Monroe Elementary Bermuda Dunes | 0.7 mi | 4.6 |
| DESERT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bermuda Dunes | 1.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies Indio | 1.7 mi | 3.8 |
| La Quinta High La Quinta | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Ronald Reagan Elementary Palm Desert | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Head2Heart Scholars Palm Desert | 2.1 mi | — |
| John Glenn Middle School of International Studies Indio | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Desert Ridge Academy Indio | 2.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Brilliant Microschool Indio | 2.5 mi | — |
| Shadow Hills High Indio | 2.9 mi | 6.4 |
| La Quinta Middle La Quinta | 3.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Harry S. Truman Elementary La Quinta | 3.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Carrillo Ranch Elementary Indio | 2.9 mi | 4.6 |
| James Madison Elementary Indio | 3.0 mi | 4.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92253 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$97,397
Median Home Value
$612,800
Median Rent
$1,741/mo
Population
38,281
College Educated
38.9%
Homeownership
74.8%
Avg Commute
26.3 min
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Median Age
52.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle has a median household income of $97,397. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $612,800, with a median rent of $1,741/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Everett Middle San Francisco, CA | 3.9 |
| Mountain Vista Middle Kelseyville, CA | 3.9 |
| Arcade Fundamental Middle Sacramento, CA | 3.8 |
| Baechtel Grove Middle Willits, CA | 4.0 |
| Fairmead Elementary Chowchilla, CA | 4.0 |
| High Tech Middle San Diego, CA | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle
What grades does Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle serve?
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle?
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle has an enrollment of approximately 397 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle rank in CA?
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle is ranked #8947 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle has 13.4% math proficiency and 28.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle a charter school?
No, Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle a Title I school?
No, Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle?
79.6% of students at Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle 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 (2,130/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (La Quinta). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 397
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 79.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Riverside County
- Phone
- (760) 238-9710
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Desert Sands Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,898
- Schools in District
- 35
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,070
- District Rank
- #26 of 33
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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