Average
#5303 of 9,539 schools in CA
Desert Junior-senior High
High School · Muroc Joint Unified
1575 Payne Ave., Edwards, CA 93523
Enrollment
458
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.1
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
458
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.1
Grades
7th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#5,303 of 9,539
In Edwards
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#2 of 5
Muroc Joint Unified
School environment
9.1 / 10
Excellent
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Desert Junior-senior High
High School in Edwards · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Irving L. Branch Elementary
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
William A. Bailey Elementary
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Desert Junior-senior High
Desert Junior-senior High is a public high school in Edwards, CA, part of Muroc Joint Unified. Desert Junior-senior High serves approximately 458 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Junior-senior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #5,303 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Desert Junior-senior High show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.1 · Average
- District avg 5.3
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Desert Junior-senior High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
31% of students at Desert Junior-senior High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Desert Junior-senior High — Students at Desert Junior-senior High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
12.4%
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: 4.6/10.
How Desert Junior-senior High Compares
See how Desert Junior-senior High 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
1575 Payne Ave., Edwards, CA 93523
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Junior-senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Rosamond High Early College Campus (rated 6.1/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Rosamond), with a very similar rating. Another option is California City High (rated 5.8/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby California City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mojave Jr./Sr. High (rated 5.8/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Mojave), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Edwards, see our Edwards schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93523 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,583
Median Home Value
$149,400
Median Rent
$2,194/mo
Population
3,681
College Educated
32.4%
Homeownership
24%
Avg Commute
17.9 min
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Median Age
26
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alameda Community Learning Center Alameda, CA | 6.1 |
| Amador High Sutter Creek, CA | 6.1 |
| Ceiba College Preparatory Academy Watsonville, CA | 6.1 |
| Denair High Denair, CA | 6.1 |
| Gustine High Gustine, CA | 6.1 |
| Kern Workforce 2000 Academy Bakersfield, CA | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Junior-senior High
What grades does Desert Junior-senior High serve?
Desert Junior-senior High serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Desert Junior-senior High?
Desert Junior-senior High has an enrollment of approximately 458 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Junior-senior High?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Junior-senior High is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Junior-senior High rank in CA?
Desert Junior-senior High ranks #5,303 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Desert Junior-senior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Junior-senior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 Desert Junior-senior High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Junior-senior High has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Desert Junior-senior High a charter school?
No, Desert Junior-senior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Junior-senior High a Title I school?
No, Desert Junior-senior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Junior-senior High?
12.4% of students at Desert Junior-senior 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 458
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 12.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Kern County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.4%
- Phone
- (760) 306-4964
- 4-Year Graduation
- 95%+
Resources & Links
District
Muroc Joint Unified- District Enrollment
- 1,802
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,701
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
How we rate schools
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