Average
#7449 of 9,533 schools in CA
Desert Springs Middle
Middle School · Palm Springs Unified
66-755 Two Bunch Palms Trail, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
Enrollment
740
Student-Teacher
22.4:1
Score
5.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
740
Student-Teacher
22.4:1
Score
5.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Desert Hot Springs
#6 of 8
public schools
California middle schools
#1,117 of 1,349
In district
#23 of 27
Palm Springs Unified
About Desert Springs Middle
Desert Springs Middle serves grades 6 through 8 in Desert Hot Springs, located in Riverside County on the fringe of an urban area. The school enrolls 740 students with a student-teacher ratio of 22.4 to 1, supported by 33 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Desert Springs Middle is working to strengthen student performance.
In English Language Arts and Reading, 24% of students scored proficient or above across the grade levels, while in math, 14% of students achieved proficiency or above. The school's academic score of 2.2 out of 10 reflects these challenges, placing it in the lower range of California schools. With room for academic growth, the school is focused on developing its students' foundational skills in core subjects.
As a regular public school, Desert Springs Middle provides an accessible educational option for families in the Desert Hot Springs area. The school's setting in a town on the fringe of an urban area brings its own character to the learning environment.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Springs Middle is 22.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Desert Springs Middle — Students at Desert Springs Middle score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.6/10.
How Desert Springs Middle Compares
See how Desert Springs Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 18% (2019) to 12.41% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 21.56% (2024).
Location
66-755 Two Bunch Palms Trail, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Springs Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Raymond Cree Middle (rated 7.5/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Palm Springs), which scores notably higher. Another option is Painted Hills Middle (rated 6.5/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, James Workman Middle (rated 6.0/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Cathedral City), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Desert Hot Springs, see our Desert Hot Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cabot Yerxa Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 0.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Two Bunch Palms Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Bubbling Wells Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Desert Hot Springs High Desert Hot Springs | 1.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Julius Corsini Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 2.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Bella Vista Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 2.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Painted Hills Middle Desert Hot Springs | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Rio Vista Elementary Cathedral City | 6.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Vista del Monte Elementary Palm Springs | 6.8 mi | 4.3 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PALM SPRINGS Palm Springs | 7.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Raymond Cree Middle Palm Springs | 7.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Katherine Finchy Elementary Palm Springs | 7.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Landau Elementary Cathedral City | 8.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Agua Caliente Elementary Cathedral City | 8.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Virtual Pre Palm Springs | 8.4 mi | — |
| James Workman Middle Cathedral City | 8.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Mt. San Jacinto High Cathedral City | 8.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Sunny Sands Elementary Cathedral City | 8.8 mi | 7.9 |
| ST THERESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Springs | 9.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Palm Springs High Palm Springs | 9.0 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92240 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,284
Median Home Value
$294,200
Median Rent
$1,367/mo
Population
40,918
College Educated
15.3%
Homeownership
55.7%
Avg Commute
29.1 min
Poverty Rate
18.9%
Median Age
35.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Springs Middle has a median household income of $51,284. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $294,200, with a median rent of $1,367/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Animo Jefferson Charter Middle Los Angeles, CA | 5.1 |
| Bud Carson Middle Hawthorne, CA | 5.1 |
| Buena Park Middle Buena Park, CA | 5.1 |
| Daniel Lewis Middle Paso Robles, CA | 5.1 |
| Foothill Middle Walnut Creek, CA | 5.1 |
| Glen Edwards Middle Lincoln, CA | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Springs Middle
What grades does Desert Springs Middle serve?
Desert Springs Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Desert Springs Middle?
Desert Springs Middle has an enrollment of approximately 740 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Springs Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Springs Middle is 22.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Springs Middle rank in CA?
Desert Springs Middle is ranked #7449 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Desert Springs Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Springs Middle has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Springs Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Springs Middle has 13.5% math proficiency and 23.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Springs Middle a charter school?
No, Desert Springs Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Springs Middle a Title I school?
No, Desert Springs Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Springs Middle?
96.9% of students at Desert Springs Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,698/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Desert Hot Springs). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 740
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Riverside County
- Phone
- (760) 251-7200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Palm Springs Unified- District Enrollment
- 20,416
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,811
- District Rank
- #23 of 27
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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