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
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
3.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
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
Shortlisting around Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle
Middle School in La Quinta · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Horizon
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Summit High (continuation)
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).
- 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 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: 30%).
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 36 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: 1.9/10.
How Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle Compares
See how Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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%
- Phone
- (760) 238-9710
Resources & Links
District
Desert Sands Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,898
- Schools in District
- 35
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,070
- District Rank
- #31 of 33
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.