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Average

#5816 of 9,539 schools in CA

Desert Mirage High

High School · Coachella Valley Unified

86150 Avenue 66, Thermal, CA 92274

Enrollment

1,974

Student-Teacher

19.9:1

Score

5.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#5,816 of 9,539

In Thermal

#1 of 8

public schools

In district

#10 of 21

Coachella Valley Unified

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Very Good

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Desert Mirage High

5.8/10

High School in Thermal · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Toro Canyon Middle

5.4/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Las Palmitas Elementary

5.1/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Desert Mirage High

Desert Mirage High is a public high school in Thermal, CA, part of Coachella Valley Unified. Desert Mirage High serves approximately 1,974 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Mirage High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #5,816 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Desert Mirage High show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • District avg 5.5
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Desert Mirage 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.

54% of students at Desert Mirage 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 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-21.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.6 pts
Overall Proficiency24% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)19% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College Readiness4.4Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate74%
AP Participation13.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,412
Chronic Absenteeism53.8%

Desert Mirage High — Students at Desert Mirage High score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 23.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 40.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
37%
ELA
39%
2010
Math
39%
ELA
38%
2011
Math
43%
ELA
34%
2012
Math
55%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
49%
ELA
34%
2014
Math
8%
ELA
39%
2015
Math
8%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
13%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
16%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
16%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
21%
ELA
44%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
44%
2024
Math
6.7%
ELA
42.3%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Desert Mirage High Compares

See how Desert Mirage High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
39th percentile in CA
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
7.2/10
Very Good
Environment
6.3/10
Average
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.6
Sports
20
10 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
99 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
53.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
13.8% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics20sports offered
10 boys'·10 girls'·27 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

86150 Avenue 66, Thermal, CA 92274

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Desert Mirage High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. La Familia Continuation High (rated 5.7/10, 4.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Coachella Valley High (rated 5.3/10, 5.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, NOVA Academy - Coachella (rated 5.3/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Santa Ana), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Thermal, see our Thermal schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Toro Canyon Middle Thermal 0.0 mi 5.4
Las Palmitas Elementary Thermal 0.0 mi 5.1
The Kingdom of Light Homeschool Thermal 4.6 mi
La Familia Continuation High Thermal 4.6 mi 5.7
John Kelley Elementary Thermal 4.8 mi 4.8
Oasis Elementary Thermal 4.7 mi 3.8
Coachella Valley High Thermal 5.4 mi 5.3
Mecca Elementary Mecca 5.0 mi 3.9
Valley View Elementary Coachella 6.6 mi 6.6
Westside Elementary Thermal 6.2 mi 5.5
Saul Martinez Elementary Mecca 5.7 mi 5.9
NOVA Academy - Coachella Santa Ana 6.8 mi 5.3
Peter Pendleton Elementary Coachella 6.9 mi 8.3
Valle del Sol Elementary Coachella 7.1 mi 8.0
Bobby Duke Middle Coachella 7.1 mi 5.9
Palm View Elementary Coachella 7.3 mi 6.7
Coral Mountain Academy Coachella 7.5 mi 6.0
Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High Coachella 7.7 mi 5.9
Imagine Schools Riverside County Coachella 7.9 mi 4.7
Cesar Chavez Elementary Coachella 8.2 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92274 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$36,087

Median Home Value

$139,900

Median Rent

$903/mo

Population

17,909

College Educated

5.3%

Homeownership

75.1%

Avg Commute

27.8 min

Poverty Rate

22.8%

Median Age

35.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Alain Leroy Locke College Preparatory Academy Los Angeles, CA 5.8
Buhach Colony High Atwater, CA 5.8
Burbank High Burbank, CA 5.8
Coalinga High Coalinga, CA 5.8
El Dorado High Placerville, CA 5.8
Fred C. Beyer High Modesto, CA 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Desert Mirage High

What grades does Desert Mirage High serve?

Desert Mirage High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Desert Mirage High?

Desert Mirage High has an enrollment of approximately 1,974 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Mirage High?

The student-teacher ratio at Desert Mirage High is 19.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Desert Mirage High rank in CA?

Desert Mirage High ranks #5,816 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Desert Mirage High's MySchoolScout rating?

Desert Mirage High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Mirage High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Mirage High has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Desert Mirage High a charter school?

No, Desert Mirage High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Desert Mirage High a Title I school?

No, Desert Mirage High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Mirage High?

97.5% of students at Desert Mirage 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,974
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
99
Free/Reduced Lunch
97.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Riverside County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
53.8%
4-Year Graduation
74.0%

District

Coachella Valley Unified
District Enrollment
16,046
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,412
District Rank
#10 of 21

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