Below Average
#8357 of 9,533 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
4.5
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
458
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
4.5
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Edwards
#2 of 3
public schools
California high schools
#1,759 of 1,892
In district
#2 of 5
Muroc Joint Unified
School environment
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Desert Junior-senior High
Desert Junior-Senior High in Edwards, California serves students from seventh through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 458 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student succeed. The teachers work diligently with small class sizes, though academic performance shows room for improvement, with 23% proficiency in math and 44% proficiency in ELA/Reading across all grades.
Despite its challenges, Desert Junior-Senior High is committed to fostering a supportive learning environment where students can grow academically and socially. The school’s rural setting provides a unique backdrop that helps cultivate community bonds among students and staff. Edwards, located in Kern County, offers a tight-knit atmosphere for those seeking a close-knit educational experience.
Desert Junior-Senior High stands as an important pillar of the local community, offering its students a pathway to academic development and personal growth within its rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Desert Junior-senior High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Desert Junior-senior High — Students at Desert Junior-senior High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
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 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: 1.8/10.
How Desert Junior-senior High Compares
See how Desert Junior-senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 18.29% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 36.59% (2024).
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. Rare Earth High (Continuation) (rated 6.6/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Rosamond), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mojave Jr./Sr. High (rated 6.0/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Mojave), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rosamond High Early College Campus (rated 5.9/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Rosamond), which scores notably higher. 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Junior-senior High has a median household income of $66,583. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $149,400, with a median rent of $2,194/month. The local poverty rate of 7.5% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Bret Harte Union High Altaville, CA | 4.5 |
| California City High California City, CA | 4.5 |
| Everest Public High Redwood City, CA | 4.5 |
| R. Rex Parris High Palmdale, CA | 4.5 |
| Aspire Golden State College Preparatory Academy Oakland, CA | 4.4 |
| Aspire Vanguard College Preparatory Academy Oakland, CA | 4.4 |
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 is ranked #8357 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Desert Junior-senior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Junior-senior High has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Junior-senior High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Junior-senior High has 22.6% math proficiency and 44.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,155/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (760) 306-4964
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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