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Below Average

#7584 of 9,539 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

4.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,584 of 9,539

In Desert Hot Springs

#5 of 8

public schools

In district

#23 of 27

Palm Springs Unified

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Desert Springs Middle

4.8/10

Middle School in Desert Hot Springs · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cabot Yerxa Elementary

5.3/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Two Bunch Palms Elementary

5.8/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Desert Springs Middle

Desert Springs Middle is a public middle school in Desert Hot Springs, CA, part of Palm Springs Unified. Desert Springs Middle serves approximately 740 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 22.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Springs Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #7,584 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Desert Springs Middle show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.1
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Desert Springs Middle runs 22.4:1 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.

56% of students at Desert Springs Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency21.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-22 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.3 pts
Overall Proficiency17% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-2.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,811
Chronic Absenteeism56.4%

Desert Springs Middle — Students at Desert Springs Middle score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 22.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 31.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
31%
ELA
31%
2010
Math
28%
ELA
34%
2011
Math
31%
ELA
32%
2012
Math
36%
ELA
34%
2013
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
11%
ELA
21%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2016
Math
13%
ELA
29%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
28%
2018
Math
18%
ELA
33%
2019
Math
18%
ELA
33%
2022
Math
13.7%
ELA
27%
2024
Math
12.4%
ELA
21.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.8/10.

How Desert Springs Middle Compares

See how Desert Springs Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
21th percentile in CA
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
5.8/10
Average
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
56.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 6.0/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, James Workman Middle (rated 5.9/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Cathedral City), which scores notably 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 5.3
Two Bunch Palms Elementary Desert Hot Springs 0.7 mi 5.8
Bubbling Wells Elementary Desert Hot Springs 0.8 mi 4.5
Desert Hot Springs High Desert Hot Springs 1.8 mi 7.1
Julius Corsini Elementary Desert Hot Springs 2.1 mi 3.0
Bella Vista Elementary Desert Hot Springs 2.7 mi 3.7
Painted Hills Middle Desert Hot Springs 2.7 mi 6.0
Rio Vista Elementary Cathedral City 6.5 mi 4.7
Vista del Monte Elementary Palm Springs 6.8 mi 7.3
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 5.3
Landau Elementary Cathedral City 8.1 mi 5.6
Agua Caliente Elementary Cathedral City 8.4 mi 5.0
Virtual Pre Palm Springs 8.4 mi
James Workman Middle Cathedral City 8.3 mi 5.9
Mt. San Jacinto High Cathedral City 8.5 mi 7.0
Sunny Sands Elementary Cathedral City 8.8 mi 6.8
ST THERESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Springs 9.0 mi 6.7
Palm Springs High Palm Springs 9.0 mi 7.2

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Alder Middle Fontana, CA 4.8
Barbara Worth Junior High Brawley, CA 4.8
Buena Park Middle Buena Park, CA 4.8
Chemawa Middle Riverside, CA 4.8
Isbell Middle Santa Paula, CA 4.8
KIPP Los Angeles College Preparatory Los Angeles, CA 4.8

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 ranks #7,584 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Desert Springs Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Desert Springs Middle 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 Springs Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Springs Middle has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
59 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
56.4%

District

Palm Springs Unified
District Enrollment
20,416
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,811
District Rank
#23 of 27

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