Needs Improvement
#9105 of 9,533 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
3.7
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
3.7
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Acton
#5 of 5
public schools
California middle schools
#1,316 of 1,349
In district
#3 of 3
Acton-Agua Dulce Unified
School environment
7.0 / 10
Strong
About High Desert
High Desert is a middle school located in the rural outskirts of Acton, California. Serving students from fifth to eighth grade, High Desert has an enrollment of 287 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.1:1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at High Desert currently ranks in the 11th percentile statewide, reflecting areas where growth is needed, particularly in math proficiency, which stands at 18%.
Reading proficiency also shows room for improvement at 35%, but the school community remains focused on student development and support. High Desert's setting offers a peaceful rural environment near the town of Acton. The area provides students with a close-knit community atmosphere that fosters connections between families, teachers, and local residents.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at High Desert is 22.1:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, High Desert may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
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 12 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: 1.2/10.
How High Desert Compares
See how High Desert performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 13.68% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 29.47% (2024).
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. Vasquez High (rated 8.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cottonwood Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Palmdale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Palmdale Learning Plaza (rated 7.2/10, 6.8 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 | 5.7 |
| iLEAD Hybrid Acton | 0.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Meadowlark Elementary Acton | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Vasquez High Acton | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Anaverde Hills Palmdale | 5.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Ocotillo Elementary Palmdale | 6.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Highland High Palmdale | 7.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Cottonwood Elementary Palmdale | 7.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Palmdale Learning Plaza Palmdale | 6.8 mi | 7.2 |
| David G. Millen Law and Government Magnet Academy Palmdale | 7.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Palm Tree Elementary Palmdale | 6.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Dos Caminos Dual Immersion Palmdale | 7.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Palmdale Discovery Center Palmdale | 7.5 mi | 5.2 |
| PALMDALE UNITED METHODIST PRESCHOOL-KINDERGARTEN Palmdale | 7.5 mi | — |
| Summerwind Elementary Palmdale | 7.6 mi | 2.7 |
| Yucca Elementary Palmdale | 7.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Shepherd Christian School Palmdale | 7.0 mi | — |
| Tumbleweed Elementary Palmdale | 7.3 mi | 5.6 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding High Desert has a median household income of $118,462. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $713,000, with a median rent of $1,755/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 49 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Briggs Elementary Santa Paula, CA | 3.7 |
| Oak Creek Intermediate Oakhurst, CA | 3.7 |
| Arcade Fundamental Middle Sacramento, CA | 3.8 |
| High Tech Middle San Diego, CA | 3.8 |
| Vista Heritage Global Academy Santa Ana, CA | 3.8 |
| ACE Esperanza Middle San Jose, CA | 3.6 |
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 is ranked #9105 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is High Desert's MySchoolScout rating?
High Desert has a composite rating of 3.7 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 High Desert?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, High Desert has 18.3% math proficiency and 34.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (245/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (661) 269-0310
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Acton-Agua Dulce Unified- District Enrollment
- 1,021
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,555
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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