Average
#3929 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 41% in state
George Washington Charter
Elementary School · Desert Sands Unified
45-768 Portola Ave., Palm Desert, CA 92260
Enrollment
756
Student-Teacher
25.2:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
756
Student-Teacher
25.2:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palm Desert
#3 of 6
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,509 of 5,817
In district
#5 of 33
Desert Sands Unified
Equity
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About George Washington Charter
George Washington Charter serves 756 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Palm Desert, California. This elementary charter school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.2:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranking in the 86th percentile statewide at #1343 out of 9566 California elementary schools.
Students show solid proficiency levels with 70% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and reading, while 66% achieve proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's academic score of 9.0 out of 10. George Washington Charter draws families from a community where the median household income is $68,750 and 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood shows economic diversity, with a poverty rate of 15.2% and median home values around $424,100. Located on Portola Avenue in Palm Desert, the school serves a small city setting within Riverside County's desert communities, where families value both academic excellence and the charter school's educational approach.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at George Washington Charter is 25.2:1, 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.
George Washington Charter is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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George Washington Charter — Students at George Washington Charter score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.1%
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
↓ 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: 6.2/10.
How George Washington Charter Compares
See how George Washington Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 65.61% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 69.76% (2024).
Location
45-768 Portola Ave., Palm Desert, CA 92260
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering George Washington Charter may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gerald R. Ford Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Indian Wells), which scores slightly higher. Another option is James Earl Carter Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Rancho Mirage Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Rancho Mirage), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Palm Desert, see our Palm Desert schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF THE DESERT Palm Desert | 0.8 mi | — |
| Aleph Schoolhouse Palm Desert | 0.9 mi | — |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Palm Desert | 1.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Morning Stars Learning Program Palm Desert | 1.1 mi | — |
| Palm Desert Charter Middle Palm Desert | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Palm Desert | 1.2 mi | 3.3 |
| Palm Desert High Palm Desert | 1.5 mi | 8.0 |
| James Earl Carter Elementary Palm Desert | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Coachella Valley Arts Institute Palm Desert | 2.3 mi | — |
| DESERT ADVENTIST SCHOOL Palm Desert | 2.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Desert Adventist School Palm Desert | 2.9 mi | — |
| Rancho Mirage Elementary Rancho Mirage | 3.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Gerald R. Ford Elementary Indian Wells | 3.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Palm Desert Learning Tree Center Palm Desert | 4.2 mi | — |
| PALM DESERT LEARNING TREE CENTER Palm Desert | 4.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Ronald Reagan Elementary Palm Desert | 4.4 mi | 5.3 |
| TOT STOP PRESCHOOL Palm Desert | 4.2 mi | — |
| Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle La Quinta | 4.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Horizon La Quinta | 4.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Summit High (Continuation) La Quinta | 4.3 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92260 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,252
Median Home Value
$463,500
Median Rent
$1,654/mo
Population
30,751
College Educated
38.1%
Homeownership
62.9%
Avg Commute
20.8 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Median Age
58
Community Profile
The community surrounding George Washington Charter has a median household income of $72,252. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $463,500, with a median rent of $1,654/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| A. E. Arnold Elementary Cypress, CA | 6.7 |
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Sacramento, CA | 6.7 |
| Acacia Elementary Fullerton, CA | 6.7 |
| Ada Clegg Elementary Huntington Beach, CA | 6.7 |
| Agnes L. Smith Elementary Huntington Beach, CA | 6.7 |
| Anthony C. Traina Elementary Tracy, CA | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about George Washington Charter
What grades does George Washington Charter serve?
George Washington Charter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend George Washington Charter?
George Washington Charter has an enrollment of approximately 756 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at George Washington Charter?
The student-teacher ratio at George Washington Charter is 25.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does George Washington Charter rank in CA?
George Washington Charter is ranked #3929 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is George Washington Charter's MySchoolScout rating?
George Washington Charter has a composite rating of 6.7 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 George Washington Charter?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, George Washington Charter has 64.2% math proficiency and 70.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is George Washington Charter a charter school?
Yes, George Washington Charter is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is George Washington Charter a Title I school?
No, George Washington Charter is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for George Washington Charter?
51.1% of students at George Washington 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,159/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palm Desert). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 756
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Riverside County
- Phone
- (760) 862-4350
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Desert Sands Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,898
- Schools in District
- 35
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,070
- District Rank
- #5 of 33
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.
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