Needs Improvement
#9482 of 9,539 schools in CA
Desert Knolls Elementary
Elementary School · Apple Valley Unified
18213 Symeron Dr., Apple Valley, CA 92307
Enrollment
584
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
2.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
584
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
2.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#9,482 of 9,539
In Apple Valley
#14 of 15
public schools
In district
#13 of 14
Apple Valley Unified
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Desert Knolls Elementary
Elementary School in Apple Valley · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Academy for Academic Excellence
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Victor Valley Sda School
1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Desert Knolls Elementary
Desert Knolls Elementary is a public elementary school in Apple Valley, CA, part of Apple Valley Unified. Desert Knolls Elementary serves approximately 584 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 22.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Knolls Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.3 out of 10 and ranks #9,482 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Desert Knolls Elementary show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 2.3 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 2.9
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Desert Knolls Elementary runs 22.5:1 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.
40% of students at Desert Knolls Elementary 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
Desert Knolls Elementary — Students at Desert Knolls Elementary score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.1/10.
How Desert Knolls Elementary Compares
See how Desert Knolls Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
18213 Symeron Dr., Apple Valley, CA 92307
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Knolls Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sixth Street Prep (rated 8.6/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Victorville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Endeavour School of Exploration (rated 5.4/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Victorville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sitting Bull Academy (rated 3.9/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Apple Valley, see our Apple Valley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Academy for Academic Excellence Apple Valley | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| VICTOR VALLEY SDA SCHOOL Victorville | 1.7 mi | — |
| Victor Valley SDA School Victorville | 1.7 mi | — |
| APPLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Apple Valley | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| APPLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Apple Valley | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Green Tree East Elementary Victorville | 1.9 mi | 3.3 |
| Sixth Street Prep Victorville | 1.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Irwin Academy of Performing Arts Victorville | 1.8 mi | 3.4 |
| Rio Vista School of Applied Learning Apple Valley | 2.3 mi | 2.8 |
| Victor Valley High Victorville | 2.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Victor Valley Virtual Academy Victorville | 2.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Goodwill High Victorville | 2.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Goodwill Independent Study Victorville | 2.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Del Rey Elementary Victorville | 2.4 mi | 2.4 |
| Mojave River Academy - Route 66 Oro Grande | 2.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Lakeview Leadership Academy Victorville | 3.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Puesta del Sol Elementary Victorville | 3.0 mi | 2.7 |
| Endeavour School of Exploration Victorville | 3.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Sitting Bull Academy Apple Valley | 3.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Phoenix Academy Apple Valley | 3.1 mi | 2.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92307 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,715
Median Home Value
$396,900
Median Rent
$1,379/mo
Population
40,666
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
70.2%
Avg Commute
41.1 min
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Median Age
35
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| American Lakes Sacramento, CA | 2.3 |
| Bannon Creek Sacramento, CA | 2.3 |
| Bridges @ Melrose Academy Elementary Oakland, CA | 2.3 |
| CHAMLIAN ARMENIAN SCHOOL Glendale, CA | 2.3 |
| Coleman F. Brown Elementary Modesto, CA | 2.3 |
| Edgemont Elementary Moreno Valley, CA | 2.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Knolls Elementary
What grades does Desert Knolls Elementary serve?
Desert Knolls Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Desert Knolls Elementary?
Desert Knolls Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 584 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Knolls Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Knolls Elementary is 22.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Knolls Elementary rank in CA?
Desert Knolls Elementary ranks #9,482 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Desert Knolls Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Knolls Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.3 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 Knolls Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Knolls Elementary has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Desert Knolls Elementary a charter school?
No, Desert Knolls Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Knolls Elementary a Title I school?
No, Desert Knolls Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Knolls Elementary?
76.9% of students at Desert Knolls Elementary 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
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 584
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Bernardino County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 40.2%
- Phone
- (760) 242-3441
Resources & Links
District
Apple Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 13,756
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,735
- District Rank
- #13 of 14
Other Schools in This District
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