Very Good
#3150 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 33% in state
Desert Hot Springs High
High School · Palm Springs Unified
65850 Pierson Blvd., Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
Enrollment
1,718
Student-Teacher
19.7:1
Score
7.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,718
Student-Teacher
19.7:1
Score
7.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Desert Hot Springs
#1 of 8
public schools
California high schools
#581 of 1,892
In district
#4 of 27
Palm Springs Unified
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Desert Hot Springs High
Desert Hot Springs High serves 1,718 students in grades 9-12 as a public high school in Desert Hot Springs, California. With 87 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.7:1, providing reasonable class sizes for secondary education. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #3,609 among California's 9,566 schools, placing it in the 62nd percentile statewide.
Academic performance shows mixed results, with 55% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts across grade levels, while mathematics presents opportunities for growth with 19% proficiency rates. Desert Hot Springs High serves a diverse community where the median household income is $48,469 and 19.8% of families live below the poverty line. The surrounding neighborhood has a median home value of $272,600, and approximately 14% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting the working-class character of this Riverside County community.
The school is situated on Pierson Boulevard in Desert Hot Springs, a town positioned on the fringe of Southern California's urban sprawl. This location provides students with both small-town community connections and access to broader regional opportunities in the Coachella Valley.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Desert Hot Springs High — Students at Desert Hot Springs High score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How Desert Hot Springs High Compares
See how Desert Hot Springs High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 14% (2019) to 18.77% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 54.75% (2024).
Location
65850 Pierson Blvd., Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Hot Springs High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Palm Springs High (rated 7.0/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Palm Springs), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mt. San Jacinto High (rated 5.9/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Cathedral City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Desert Hot Springs, see our Desert Hot Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Painted Hills Middle Desert Hot Springs | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Bella Vista Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Two Bunch Palms Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Cabot Yerxa Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 1.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Desert Springs Middle Desert Hot Springs | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Bubbling Wells Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 2.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Julius Corsini Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 3.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Morongo Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms | 7.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Vista del Monte Elementary Palm Springs | 7.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Rio Vista Elementary Cathedral City | 8.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Raymond Cree Middle Palm Springs | 8.4 mi | 7.5 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PALM SPRINGS Palm Springs | 8.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Katherine Finchy Elementary Palm Springs | 8.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Landau Elementary Cathedral City | 9.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Virtual Pre Palm Springs | 9.8 mi | — |
| Agua Caliente Elementary Cathedral City | 9.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Mt. San Jacinto High Cathedral City | 10.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Palm Springs High Palm Springs | 10.1 mi | 7.0 |
| ST THERESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Springs | 10.2 mi | 6.7 |
| James Workman Middle Cathedral City | 9.9 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92240 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,284
Median Home Value
$294,200
Median Rent
$1,367/mo
Population
40,918
College Educated
15.3%
Homeownership
55.7%
Avg Commute
29.1 min
Poverty Rate
18.9%
Median Age
35.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Hot Springs High has a median household income of $51,284. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $294,200, with a median rent of $1,367/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Adolfo Camarillo High Camarillo, CA | 7.1 |
| Castle Park Senior High Chula Vista, CA | 7.1 |
| Charter Oak High Covina, CA | 7.1 |
| Diamond Ranch High Pomona, CA | 7.1 |
| Don Antonio Lugo High Chino, CA | 7.1 |
| Eisenhower High Rialto, CA | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Hot Springs High
What grades does Desert Hot Springs High serve?
Desert Hot Springs High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Desert Hot Springs High?
Desert Hot Springs High has an enrollment of approximately 1,718 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Hot Springs High?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Hot Springs High is 19.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Hot Springs High rank in CA?
Desert Hot Springs High is ranked #3150 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Desert Hot Springs High's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Hot Springs High has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Desert Hot Springs High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Hot Springs High has 19.6% math proficiency and 49.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Hot Springs High a charter school?
No, Desert Hot Springs High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Hot Springs High a Title I school?
No, Desert Hot Springs High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Hot Springs High?
96.9% of students at Desert Hot Springs High 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
- Walk Score
- 16 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 33 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 40 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,698/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Desert Hot Springs). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,718
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 87
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Riverside County
- Phone
- (760) 288-7000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Palm Springs Unified- District Enrollment
- 20,416
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,811
- District Rank
- #4 of 27
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.
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