Needs Improvement
#9060 of 9,533 schools in CA
Horizon
School · Desert Sands Unified
43-330 Palm Royale Dr., La Quinta, CA 92253
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Quinta
#7 of 7
public schools
California schools
#449 of 475
In district
#27 of 33
Desert Sands Unified
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Horizon
Horizon is an alternative school located in La Quinta, California, in a large suburban setting. The school serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 356 students with a student-teacher ratio of 20.9:1. Horizon has 17 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing educational support.
Horizon's MySchoolScout rating is 3.5 out of 10, ranking it #7782 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it around the 19th percentile statewide. The school’s academic score stands at 3.7/10, reflecting areas with room for improvement. In ELA and reading proficiency, 41% of students are rated proficient or above, while in math, only 18% meet this benchmark.
Horizon is situated in a suburban area that offers a diverse community with numerous amenities and activities for families. The school focuses on providing a supportive environment tailored to the needs of its alternative education program.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Horizon is 20.9:1, 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
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Horizon — Students at Horizon score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 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: 2.4/10.
How Horizon Compares
See how Horizon performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 17.07% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 34.94% (2024).
Location
43-330 Palm Royale Dr., La Quinta, CA 92253
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Horizon may also want to explore other schools in the area. La Quinta High (rated 7.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gerald R. Ford Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Indian Wells), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Shadow Hills High (rated 6.4/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Indio), which scores notably higher. For more schools in La Quinta, see our La Quinta schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Summit High (Continuation) La Quinta | 0.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle La Quinta | 0.1 mi | 3.9 |
| TOT STOP PRESCHOOL Palm Desert | 0.4 mi | — |
| Palm Desert Learning Tree Center Palm Desert | 0.5 mi | — |
| PALM DESERT LEARNING TREE CENTER Palm Desert | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| James Monroe Elementary Bermuda Dunes | 0.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Gerald R. Ford Elementary Indian Wells | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| DESERT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bermuda Dunes | 1.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies Indio | 1.7 mi | 3.8 |
| La Quinta High La Quinta | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| John Glenn Middle School of International Studies Indio | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Head2Heart Scholars Palm Desert | 2.0 mi | — |
| Ronald Reagan Elementary Palm Desert | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Desert Ridge Academy Indio | 2.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Brilliant Microschool Indio | 2.4 mi | — |
| Shadow Hills High Indio | 2.8 mi | 6.4 |
| La Quinta Middle La Quinta | 3.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Carrillo Ranch Elementary Indio | 2.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Harry S. Truman Elementary La Quinta | 3.3 mi | 4.2 |
| James Madison Elementary Indio | 3.0 mi | 4.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92253 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$97,397
Median Home Value
$612,800
Median Rent
$1,741/mo
Population
38,281
College Educated
38.9%
Homeownership
74.8%
Avg Commute
26.3 min
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Median Age
52.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Horizon has a median household income of $97,397. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $612,800, with a median rent of $1,741/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| America's Finest Charter San Diego, CA | 3.8 |
| American River Charter Georgetown, CA | 3.8 |
| Brookfield Engineering Science Technology Academy Palm Springs, CA | 3.9 |
| ST THOMAS MORE SCHOOL San Jose, CA | 3.9 |
| OUSD EDGE Virtual Academy Orange, CA | 4.0 |
| Las Flores Home Education Independent Study Academy Bellflower, CA | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Horizon
What grades does Horizon serve?
Horizon serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Horizon?
Horizon has an enrollment of approximately 356 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Horizon?
The student-teacher ratio at Horizon is 20.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Horizon rank in CA?
Horizon is ranked #9060 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Horizon's MySchoolScout rating?
Horizon has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Horizon?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Horizon has 17.6% math proficiency and 41.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Horizon a charter school?
No, Horizon is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Horizon a Title I school?
No, Horizon is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Horizon?
83.1% of students at Horizon 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 (2,130/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (La Quinta). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 356
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.1%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Riverside County
- Phone
- (760) 238-9720
- 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
- #27 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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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