Below Average
#7511 of 9,539 schools in CA
Desert Sands Charter
High School · Desert Sands Charter District · Lancaster, CA
A charter high school in Lancaster, CA where students score 10 points below what's typical for similar communities.
177 Holston Dr., Lancaster, CA 93535
- Math 4% vs CA 32% (2024)
- Reading 32% vs CA 52% (2024)
- 17.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Desert Sands Charter score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
2024 CAASPP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. CA average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency has held near 18% across the 7-year record (2018–2024).
Show all 5 years by subject
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 5% (multi-year average, 2018-2024) · reading/ELA 39% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
83.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Desert Sands Charter sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Los Angeles map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 56Somewhat Walkable
- Bike 54Bikeable
- City Safety: High2,788/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Lancaster), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$65,989
Median home value
$336,200
Median rent
$1,650/mo
College educated
14.2%
Homeownership
65%
Poverty rate
15.6%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 93535; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calvary Chapel Christian SchoolPrivate · tuition | Not rated | K–11 | 0.3 mi | 27 | Compare → |
| Empower GenerationsCharter · enrollment unverified | 3.0 | 9–12 | 1.0 mi | 84 | Compare → |
| Soar High (students on Academic Rise)Enrollment path unverified | 7.5 | 9–12 | 1.4 mi | 646 | Compare → |
| Seton, Inc.Private · tuition | Not rated | K–12 | 1.5 mi | 999 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Desert Sands Charter District
- Schools in district
- 1
- Rank in district
- #1 of 1
- District spending per student
- $43,030NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- The source release did not match this district identifier.
Desert Sands Charter is listed in Desert Sands Charter District; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Desert Sands Charter
Desert Sands Charter is a public high school in Lancaster, CA, part of Desert Sands Charter District, serving approximately 690 students in grades 8th-12th with a 19.2:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #7,511 of 9,539 schools in CA. State assessment records show 5% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 8th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 690
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- 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%
- Area population (ZIP 93535)
- 80,478
- Area average commute
- 33.5 min
- Area median age
- 31.9
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 93535; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2018-2024; directory SY 2023–24
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.