Below Average
#7643 of 9,539 schools in CA
High Desert
Middle School · Acton-Agua Dulce Unified
3620 Antelope Woods Rd., Acton, CA 93510
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
4.7
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
4.7
Grades
5th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7,643 of 9,539
In Acton
#4 of 5
public schools
In district
#2 of 3
Acton-Agua Dulce Unified
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High Desert
Middle School in Acton · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ilead Online
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ilead Hybrid
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About High Desert
High Desert is a public middle school in Acton, CA, part of Acton-Agua Dulce Unified. High Desert serves approximately 287 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 22.1:1 student-teacher ratio. High Desert has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #7,643 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for High Desert show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.7 · Below Average
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
High Desert runs 22.1:1 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.
High Desert sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
53% of students at High Desert 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
High Desert — Students at High Desert score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 32 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: 5.8/10.
How High Desert Compares
See how High Desert performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
3620 Antelope Woods Rd., Acton, CA 93510
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering High Desert may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Palmdale Discovery Center (rated 7.9/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Palmdale), which scores notably higher. Another option is iLEAD Hybrid (rated 6.8/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cottonwood Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Palmdale), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Acton, see our Acton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| iLEAD Online Acton | 0.1 mi | 6.7 |
| iLEAD Hybrid Acton | 0.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Meadowlark Elementary Acton | 1.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Vasquez High Acton | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Anaverde Hills Palmdale | 5.2 mi | 3.6 |
| Ocotillo Elementary Palmdale | 6.9 mi | 3.7 |
| Highland High Palmdale | 7.1 mi | 3.9 |
| Cottonwood Elementary Palmdale | 7.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Palmdale Learning Plaza Palmdale | 6.8 mi | 5.6 |
| David G. Millen Law and Government Magnet Academy Palmdale | 7.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Palm Tree Elementary Palmdale | 6.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Dos Caminos Dual Immersion Palmdale | 7.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Palmdale Discovery Center Palmdale | 7.5 mi | 7.9 |
| PALMDALE UNITED METHODIST PRESCHOOL-KINDERGARTEN Palmdale | 7.5 mi | — |
| Summerwind Elementary Palmdale | 7.6 mi | 3.1 |
| Yucca Elementary Palmdale | 7.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Shepherd Christian School Palmdale | 7.0 mi | — |
| Tumbleweed Elementary Palmdale | 7.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Stewart Family Homestead Palmdale | 8.3 mi | — |
| St. Mary Elementary Catholic Palmdale | 7.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93510 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$118,462
Median Home Value
$713,000
Median Rent
$1,755/mo
Population
7,562
College Educated
29.9%
Homeownership
92.6%
Avg Commute
48.5 min
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Median Age
44.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Carquinez Middle Crockett, CA | 4.7 |
| Denair Middle Denair, CA | 4.7 |
| KIPP Scholar Academy Los Angeles, CA | 4.7 |
| Mountain Vista Middle Kelseyville, CA | 4.7 |
| Pajaro Middle Watsonville, CA | 4.7 |
| Piner-Olivet Charter Santa Rosa, CA | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about High Desert
What grades does High Desert serve?
High Desert serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend High Desert?
High Desert has an enrollment of approximately 287 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at High Desert?
The student-teacher ratio at High Desert is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does High Desert rank in CA?
High Desert ranks #7,643 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is High Desert's MySchoolScout rating?
High Desert has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 High Desert?
Based on loaded state assessment records, High Desert has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is High Desert a charter school?
No, High Desert is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is High Desert a Title I school?
No, High Desert is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for High Desert?
77.0% of students at High Desert qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 287
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 52.6%
- Phone
- (661) 269-0310
Resources & Links
District
Acton-Agua Dulce Unified- District Enrollment
- 1,021
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,555
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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