Below Average
#7511 of 9,539 schools in CA
Desert Sands Charter
High School · Desert Sands Charter District
177 Holston Dr., Lancaster, CA 93535
Enrollment
690
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
4.8
Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
690
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
4.8
Grades
8th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7,511 of 9,539
In Lancaster
#15 of 47
public schools
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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Desert Sands Charter
High School in Lancaster · grades 8th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Calvary Chapel Christian School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Lancaster Alternative and Virtual Academies
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Desert Sands Charter
Desert Sands Charter is a public high school in Lancaster, CA, part of Desert Sands Charter District. Desert Sands Charter serves approximately 690 students, and covers grades 8th-12th, and has a 19.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Sands Charter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #7,511 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Desert Sands Charter show 5% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).
- This school 4.8 · Below Average
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Desert Sands Charter sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Desert Sands Charter is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
76% of students at Desert Sands Charter 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 metricsView breakdown
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Desert Sands Charter — Students at Desert Sands Charter score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.5%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.0/10.
How Desert Sands Charter Compares
See how Desert Sands Charter 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
177 Holston Dr., Lancaster, CA 93535
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Sands Charter may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SOAR High (Students On Academic Rise) (rated 7.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Empower Generations (rated 3.0/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CALVARY CHAPEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lancaster | 0.3 mi | — |
| Lancaster Alternative and Virtual Academies Lancaster | 0.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Sunnydale Elementary Lancaster | 0.6 mi | 3.7 |
| John and Jacquelyn Miller Elementary Lancaster | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Amargosa Creek Middle Lancaster | 0.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Empower Generations Lancaster | 1.0 mi | 3.0 |
| Monte Vista Elementary Lancaster | 1.2 mi | 2.9 |
| LANCASTER-MONTESSORI PRE SCHOOL INC. Lancaster | 1.1 mi | — |
| Sierra Elementary Lancaster | 1.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Grace Lutheran Elementary Lancaster | 1.2 mi | — |
| RISE Lancaster | 1.1 mi | — |
| The Leadership Academy Lancaster | 1.1 mi | 3.0 |
| GRACE LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lancaster | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Antelope Valley Adventist School Lancaster | 1.5 mi | — |
| ANTELOPE VALLEY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Lancaster | 1.5 mi | 3.3 |
| ANTELOPE VALLEY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Lancaster | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| SOAR High (Students On Academic Rise) Lancaster | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Desert View Elementary Lancaster | 1.8 mi | 3.4 |
| Seton, Inc. Lancaster | 1.5 mi | — |
| Life Source International Charter Lancaster | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93535 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,989
Median Home Value
$336,200
Median Rent
$1,650/mo
Population
80,478
College Educated
14.2%
Homeownership
65%
Avg Commute
33.5 min
Poverty Rate
15.6%
Median Age
31.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CRISTO REY SAN JOSE JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL San Jose, CA | 4.8 |
| Inglewood High Inglewood, CA | 4.8 |
| John F. Kennedy High Richmond, CA | 4.8 |
| Ortega High Lake Elsinore, CA | 4.8 |
| SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL Anaheim, CA | 4.8 |
| Summit Public School K2 El Cerrito, CA | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Sands Charter
What grades does Desert Sands Charter serve?
Desert Sands Charter serves students in grades 8th through 12th.
How many students attend Desert Sands Charter?
Desert Sands Charter has an enrollment of approximately 690 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Sands Charter?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Sands Charter is 19.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Sands Charter rank in CA?
Desert Sands Charter ranks #7,511 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Desert Sands Charter's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Sands Charter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Sands Charter?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Sands Charter has 5% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).
Is Desert Sands Charter a charter school?
Yes, Desert Sands Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Desert Sands Charter a Title I school?
No, Desert Sands Charter is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Sands Charter?
83.5% of students at Desert Sands Charter qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 8th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 690
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 76.2%
- Phone
- (661) 942-3357
- 4-Year Graduation
- 17.0%
Resources & Links
District
Desert Sands Charter District- District Enrollment
- 690
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $43,030
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
How we rate schools
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