Below Average
#8552 of 9,539 schools in CA
Desert Ridge Academy
Middle School · Desert Sands Unified
79-767 Avenue 39, Indio, CA 92203
Enrollment
1,018
Student-Teacher
23.1:1
Score
4.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,018
Student-Teacher
23.1:1
Score
4.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#8,552 of 9,539
In Indio
#12 of 19
public schools
In district
#24 of 33
Desert Sands Unified
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Desert Ridge Academy
Middle School in Indio · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Shadow Hills High
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Head2heart Scholars
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Desert Ridge Academy
Desert Ridge Academy is a public middle school in Indio, CA, part of Desert Sands Unified. Desert Ridge Academy serves approximately 1,018 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 23.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Ridge Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #8,552 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Desert Ridge Academy show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.0 · Below Average
- District avg 4.2
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Desert Ridge Academy runs 23.1:1 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.
Desert Ridge Academy 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.
34% of students at Desert Ridge Academy 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 Ridge Academy — Students at Desert Ridge Academy score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 36 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: 3.8/10.
How Desert Ridge Academy Compares
See how Desert Ridge Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
79-767 Avenue 39, Indio, CA 92203
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Ridge Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. John Glenn Middle School of International Studies (rated 4.1/10, 3.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle (rated 3.0/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby La Quinta), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Indio Middle (rated 3.0/10, 3.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Indio, see our Indio schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Shadow Hills High Indio | 0.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Head2Heart Scholars Palm Desert | 1.5 mi | — |
| DESERT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bermuda Dunes | 1.6 mi | 3.9 |
| James Monroe Elementary Bermuda Dunes | 2.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Brilliant Microschool Indio | 2.5 mi | — |
| Carrillo Ranch Elementary Indio | 2.6 mi | 3.7 |
| TOT STOP PRESCHOOL Palm Desert | 2.6 mi | — |
| Horizon La Quinta | 2.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Summit High (Continuation) La Quinta | 2.6 mi | 5.7 |
| PALM DESERT LEARNING TREE CENTER Palm Desert | 2.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Palm Desert Learning Tree Center Palm Desert | 2.6 mi | — |
| Ronald Reagan Elementary Palm Desert | 2.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle La Quinta | 2.8 mi | 3.0 |
| John Glenn Middle School of International Studies Indio | 3.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies Indio | 3.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Indio Middle Indio | 3.3 mi | 3.0 |
| Richard R. Oliphant Elementary Indio | 3.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary Indio | 3.3 mi | 2.7 |
| La Quinta High La Quinta | 3.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Gerald R. Ford Elementary Indian Wells | 3.3 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92203 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$97,969
Median Home Value
$496,600
Median Rent
$1,990/mo
Population
33,381
College Educated
34%
Homeownership
80.3%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Median Age
41.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Amargosa Creek Middle Lancaster, CA | 4.0 |
| Gray Avenue Middle Yuba City, CA | 4.0 |
| Herbert Slater Middle Santa Rosa, CA | 4.0 |
| Hogan Middle Vallejo, CA | 4.0 |
| Pinon Mesa Middle Phelan, CA | 4.0 |
| Sinaloa Middle Simi Valley, CA | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Ridge Academy
What grades does Desert Ridge Academy serve?
Desert Ridge Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Desert Ridge Academy?
Desert Ridge Academy has an enrollment of approximately 1,018 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Ridge Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Ridge Academy is 23.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Ridge Academy rank in CA?
Desert Ridge Academy ranks #8,552 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Desert Ridge Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Ridge Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Ridge Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Ridge Academy has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Desert Ridge Academy a charter school?
No, Desert Ridge Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Ridge Academy a Title I school?
No, Desert Ridge Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Ridge Academy?
81.4% of students at Desert Ridge Academy 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,018
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Riverside County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.5%
- Phone
- (760) 393-5500
Resources & Links
District
Desert Sands Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,898
- Schools in District
- 35
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,070
- District Rank
- #24 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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