Needs Improvement
#9508 of 9,533 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
2.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
584
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
2.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Apple Valley
#15 of 15
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,797 of 5,817
In district
#14 of 14
Apple Valley Unified
About Desert Knolls Elementary
Desert Knolls Elementary is an elementary school located in the suburbs of Apple Valley, California. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, Desert Knolls has a student body of 584 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 22.5:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its MySchoolScout rating of 1.8 out of 10 and state ranking at the bottom percentile, Desert Knolls Elementary focuses on supporting each student's development and growth.
The school aims to help students achieve proficiency in reading and math, currently standing at 17% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 15% proficient or above in Math across all grades. Nestled in a large suburban area, Desert Knolls Elementary is part of the vibrant community of Apple Valley, where it works closely with families to support its students' educational journey.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Knolls Elementary is 22.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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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 12 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: 1.8/10.
How Desert Knolls Elementary Compares
See how Desert Knolls Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 23% (2019) to 13.13% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 11.78% (2024).
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 8.7/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Victorville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Green Tree East Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Victorville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Puesta del Sol Elementary (rated 5.5/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Victorville), 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 | 5.2 |
| 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 | 6.0 |
| Sixth Street Prep Victorville | 1.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Irwin Academy of Performing Arts Victorville | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Rio Vista School of Applied Learning Apple Valley | 2.3 mi | 3.4 |
| Victor Valley High Victorville | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Victor Valley Virtual Academy Victorville | 2.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Goodwill High Victorville | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Goodwill Independent Study Victorville | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Del Rey Elementary Victorville | 2.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Mojave River Academy - Route 66 Oro Grande | 2.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Lakeview Leadership Academy Victorville | 3.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Puesta del Sol Elementary Victorville | 3.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Endeavour School of Exploration Victorville | 3.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Sitting Bull Academy Apple Valley | 3.5 mi | 3.1 |
| Phoenix Academy Apple Valley | 3.1 mi | 4.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Knolls Elementary has a median household income of $74,715. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $396,900, with a median rent of $1,379/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute in the area is 41 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aspire Monarch Academy Oakland, CA | 2.4 |
| Christopher Elementary San Jose, CA | 2.4 |
| Stockton Collegiate International Elementary Stockton, CA | 2.4 |
| CHAMLIAN ARMENIAN SCHOOL Glendale, CA | 2.3 |
| Highland Elementary Vallejo, CA | 2.3 |
| Louisiana Schnell Elementary Placerville, CA | 2.5 |
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 is ranked #9508 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Desert Knolls Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Knolls Elementary has a composite rating of 2.4 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 Knolls Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Knolls Elementary has 14.7% math proficiency and 16.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,137/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Apple Valley). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (760) 242-3441
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Apple Valley Unified- District Enrollment
- 13,756
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,735
- District Rank
- #14 of 14
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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