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Needs Improvement

#9290 of 9,539 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

3.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,290 of 9,539

In La Quinta

#7 of 7

public schools

In district

#31 of 33

Desert Sands Unified

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Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle

3.0/10

Middle School in La Quinta · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Horizon

6.6/10

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

Summit High (continuation)

5.7/10

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

About Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle

Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle is a public middle school in La Quinta, CA, part of Desert Sands Unified. Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle serves approximately 397 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 22.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #9,290 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.2
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle runs 22.1:1 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.

48% of students at Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle 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 Progress1.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.05 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-22.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.3 pts
Overall Proficiency20% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-9.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment3.6Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,070
Chronic Absenteeism48.1%

Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle — Students at Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 28.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 42.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 36 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
54%
ELA
61%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
58%
ELA
65%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
63%
2013
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2014
Math
24%
ELA
46%
2015
Math
28%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
31%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
25%
ELA
49%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
49%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
16.4%
ELA
38.4%
2024
Math
11.4%
ELA
27.6%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle Compares

See how Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.0/10
3th percentile in CA
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.1%

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

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 5.5/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is John Glenn Middle School of International Studies (rated 4.1/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Indio), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Desert Ridge Academy (rated 4.0/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Indio), which scores slightly higher. 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 6.6
Summit High (Continuation) La Quinta 0.1 mi 5.7
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 5.1
James Monroe Elementary Bermuda Dunes 0.7 mi 8.1
DESERT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bermuda Dunes 1.5 mi 3.9
Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies Indio 1.7 mi 4.7
La Quinta High La Quinta 1.8 mi 6.0
Ronald Reagan Elementary Palm Desert 2.0 mi 5.7
Head2Heart Scholars Palm Desert 2.1 mi
John Glenn Middle School of International Studies Indio 1.8 mi 4.1
Desert Ridge Academy Indio 2.8 mi 4.0
Brilliant Microschool Indio 2.5 mi
Shadow Hills High Indio 2.9 mi 5.4
La Quinta Middle La Quinta 3.2 mi 5.5
Harry S. Truman Elementary La Quinta 3.3 mi 4.0
Carrillo Ranch Elementary Indio 2.9 mi 3.7
James Madison Elementary Indio 3.0 mi 3.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Arcade Fundamental Middle Sacramento, CA 3.1
Barstow STEM Academy Barstow, CA 2.9
Sam Brannan Middle Sacramento, CA 3.1
TEACH Academy of Technologies Los Angeles, CA 3.1
KIPP Sol Academy Los Angeles, CA 2.8
Mountain Empire Junior High Pine Valley, CA 2.8

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 ranks #9,290 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.1%

District

Desert Sands Unified
District Enrollment
25,898
Schools in District
35
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,070
District Rank
#31 of 33

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