Very Good
#2619 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 28% in state
Gerald R. Ford Elementary
Elementary School · Desert Sands Unified
44-210 Warner Trail, Indian Wells, CA 92210
Enrollment
615
Student-Teacher
24.6:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
615
Student-Teacher
24.6:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
California elementary schools
#1,773 of 5,817
In district
#3 of 33
Desert Sands Unified
Equity
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Gerald R. Ford Elementary
Gerald R. Ford Elementary serves 615 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in the affluent desert community of Indian Wells, California. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 24.6:1, providing a solid educational foundation for young learners in this Riverside County location.
The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating and ranking in the 80th percentile statewide at #1905 out of 9566 California elementary schools. Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 63% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while 56% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and align well with the educational priorities of the surrounding community.
Gerald R. Ford Elementary draws from an exceptionally well-educated neighborhood where 57% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $132,479. The area's low poverty rate of 4.7% and median home values of $941,200 reflect the stability and resources available to support student success.
Located on Warner Trail in this large suburban setting, the school serves one of the Coachella Valley's most prosperous communities, where families prioritize education and student achievement.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Gerald R. Ford Elementary is 24.6:1, 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
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Gerald R. Ford Elementary — Students at Gerald R. Ford Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63.6%
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: 7.2/10.
How Gerald R. Ford Elementary Compares
See how Gerald R. Ford Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 56.46% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 63.57% (2024).
Location
44-210 Warner Trail, Indian Wells, CA 92210
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gerald R. Ford Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PALM DESERT LEARNING TREE CENTER (rated 5.4/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Palm Desert), a more accessible option. Another option is Ronald Reagan Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Palm Desert), a more accessible option. Additionally, Benjamin Franklin Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby La Quinta), a more accessible option. For more schools in Indian Wells, see our Indian Wells schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle La Quinta | 0.6 mi | 3.9 |
| TOT STOP PRESCHOOL Palm Desert | 0.8 mi | — |
| Palm Desert Learning Tree Center Palm Desert | 0.8 mi | — |
| PALM DESERT LEARNING TREE CENTER Palm Desert | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Horizon La Quinta | 0.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Summit High (Continuation) La Quinta | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| James Monroe Elementary Bermuda Dunes | 1.3 mi | 4.6 |
| DESERT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bermuda Dunes | 1.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Ronald Reagan Elementary Palm Desert | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
| La Quinta High La Quinta | 2.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies Indio | 2.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Head2Heart Scholars Palm Desert | 2.5 mi | — |
| John Glenn Middle School of International Studies Indio | 2.2 mi | 5.4 |
| La Quinta Middle La Quinta | 3.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Palm Desert High Palm Desert | 2.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Harry S. Truman Elementary La Quinta | 3.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Benjamin Franklin Elementary La Quinta | 3.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Coachella Valley Arts Institute Palm Desert | 3.0 mi | — |
| LA QUINTA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP La Quinta | 3.5 mi | — |
| Brilliant Microschool Indio | 3.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92210 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$145,313
Median Home Value
$1,002,200
Median Rent
$1,029/mo
Population
4,830
College Educated
59.3%
Homeownership
77.3%
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Median Age
67.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gerald R. Ford Elementary has a median household income of $145,313. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,002,200, with a median rent of $1,029/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Abram Agnew Elementary San Jose, CA | 7.3 |
| Achieve Academy Oakland, CA | 7.3 |
| Aileen Colburn Elementary Atwater, CA | 7.3 |
| Amy Imai Elementary Mountain View, CA | 7.3 |
| Bay View Elementary Santa Cruz, CA | 7.3 |
| Bella Vista Elementary Monterey Park, CA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gerald R. Ford Elementary
What grades does Gerald R. Ford Elementary serve?
Gerald R. Ford Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Gerald R. Ford Elementary?
Gerald R. Ford Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 615 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gerald R. Ford Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Gerald R. Ford Elementary is 24.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gerald R. Ford Elementary rank in CA?
Gerald R. Ford Elementary is ranked #2619 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Gerald R. Ford Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Gerald R. Ford Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Gerald R. Ford Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gerald R. Ford Elementary has 51.6% math proficiency and 57.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Gerald R. Ford Elementary a charter school?
No, Gerald R. Ford Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gerald R. Ford Elementary a Title I school?
No, Gerald R. Ford Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gerald R. Ford Elementary?
63.6% of students at Gerald R. Ford Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Indian Wells). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 615
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 63.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Riverside County
- Phone
- (760) 772-4120
- 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
- #3 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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