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Average

#5968 of 9,533 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

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Thermal

#6 of 8

public schools

California high schools

#1,285 of 1,892

In district

#17 of 21

Coachella Valley Unified

School environment

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Desert Mirage High

Desert Mirage High serves 1,974 students in grades 9-12 in Thermal, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 19.9:1 across 99 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 35th percentile statewide, holding position #6232 among California's 9566 high schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10. Academically, Desert Mirage High shows significant room for growth, particularly in mathematics where 7% of students perform at proficient levels or above, while English Language Arts sees stronger performance with 42% of students meeting proficiency standards.

The school serves a community facing economic challenges, with the surrounding area showing a median household income of $30,489 and a poverty rate of 21.9%. The student body reflects the broader community demographics, with only 4% of local residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Despite these challenges, the school maintains a substantial enrollment, indicating its important role as an educational anchor for families in the region.

Desert Mirage High is situated in Riverside County's rural landscape near the town of Thermal, where median home values of $128,800 reflect the area's affordable housing market within a community of nearly 16,000 residents.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Desert Mirage 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 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.99 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.3%
Math vs. State Avg-21.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.6 pts
Overall Proficiency24%
Expected (poverty-adj.)19%
vs. Expected+5.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
College Readiness3.7Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation13.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,466

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 12.6%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 42.7%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
16%
ELA
42%
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: 6.1/10.

How Desert Mirage High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
37th percentile in CA
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
99 teachers

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 6.1/10, 4.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Coachella Valley High (rated 5.7/10, 5.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, NOVA Academy - Coachella (rated 4.4/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Santa Ana), a more accessible option. 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 6.4
Las Palmitas Elementary Thermal 0.0 mi 6.6
The Kingdom of Light Homeschool Thermal 4.6 mi
La Familia Continuation High Thermal 4.6 mi 6.1
John Kelley Elementary Thermal 4.8 mi 7.3
Oasis Elementary Thermal 4.7 mi 4.6
Coachella Valley High Thermal 5.4 mi 5.7
Mecca Elementary Mecca 5.0 mi 4.2
Valley View Elementary Coachella 6.6 mi 6.9
Westside Elementary Thermal 6.2 mi 7.8
Saul Martinez Elementary Mecca 5.7 mi 5.9
NOVA Academy - Coachella Santa Ana 6.8 mi 4.4
Peter Pendleton Elementary Coachella 6.9 mi 8.9
Valle del Sol Elementary Coachella 7.1 mi 8.4
Bobby Duke Middle Coachella 7.1 mi 7.5
Palm View Elementary Coachella 7.3 mi 8.1
Coral Mountain Academy Coachella 7.5 mi 5.9
Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High Coachella 7.7 mi 6.5
Imagine Schools Riverside County Coachella 7.9 mi 4.7
Cesar Chavez Elementary Coachella 8.2 mi 6.8

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Desert Mirage High has a median household income of $36,087. It is a community where 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,900, with a median rent of $903/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Central Valley High Ceres, CA 5.8
Channel Islands High Oxnard, CA 5.8
Dinuba High Dinuba, CA 5.8
Gardena Senior High Gardena, CA 5.8
Gilroy High Gilroy, CA 5.8
Grossmont High La Mesa, 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 is ranked #5968 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Desert Mirage High's MySchoolScout rating?

Desert Mirage High has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Mirage High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Mirage High has 12.6% math proficiency and 42.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
County Safety
Average (286/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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