Skip to main content

Average

#3880 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 41% in state

George Washington Charter

Elementary School · Desert Sands Unified

45-768 Portola Ave., Palm Desert, CA 92260

Charter

Enrollment

756

Student-Teacher

25.2:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#3,880 of 9,539

In Palm Desert

#2 of 6

public schools

In district

#4 of 33

Desert Sands Unified

Equity

9.6 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around George Washington Charter?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

George Washington Charter

6.8/10

Elementary School in Palm Desert · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Montessori School of the Desert

Nearby

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

Aleph Schoolhouse

Nearby

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

About George Washington Charter

George Washington Charter is a public elementary school in Palm Desert, CA, part of Desert Sands Unified. George Washington Charter serves approximately 756 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 25.2:1 student-teacher ratio. George Washington Charter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #3,880 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for George Washington Charter show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.3 pts above district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 4.5
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

George Washington Charter runs 25.2:1 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.

George Washington 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+19.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27 pts
Overall Proficiency68% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+22.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,070
Chronic Absenteeism18%

George Washington Charter — Students at George Washington Charter score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 69.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 73.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 34 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
89%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
89%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
86%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
56%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
66%
ELA
74%
2016
Math
64%
ELA
70%
2017
Math
68%
ELA
76%
2018
Math
71%
ELA
76%
2019
Math
71%
ELA
76%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
66%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
66%
2022
Math
61.7%
ELA
70.2%
2024
Math
65.6%
ELA
69.8%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How George Washington Charter Compares

See how George Washington Charter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
59th percentile in CA
Academic
9.5/10
Excellent
Growth
5.8/10
Average
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.0%

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

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. Rancho Mirage Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Rancho Mirage), with a comparable rating. Another option is James Earl Carter Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 2.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Ronald Reagan Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 4.4 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 5.9
Abraham Lincoln Elementary Palm Desert 1.2 mi 3.2
Palm Desert High Palm Desert 1.5 mi 6.9
James Earl Carter Elementary Palm Desert 2.1 mi 6.1
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 6.3
Gerald R. Ford Elementary Indian Wells 3.6 mi 5.1
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 5.7
TOT STOP PRESCHOOL Palm Desert 4.2 mi
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle La Quinta 4.2 mi 3.0
Horizon La Quinta 4.3 mi 6.6
Summit High (Continuation) La Quinta 4.3 mi 5.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Abby Reinke Elementary Temecula, CA 6.8
Adelante Dual Language Academy San Jose, CA 6.8
Arthur Hapgood Elementary Lompoc, CA 6.8
Barranca Elementary Covina, CA 6.8
Birney Elementary Long Beach, CA 6.8
Bridgeport Elementary Valencia, CA 6.8

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 ranks #3,880 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is George Washington Charter's MySchoolScout rating?

George Washington Charter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 George Washington Charter?

Based on loaded state assessment records, George Washington Charter has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
75 Very Walkable
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.0%

District

Desert Sands Unified
District Enrollment
25,898
Schools in District
35
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,070
District Rank
#4 of 33

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 rate

Related reading

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.