Average
#5224 of 9,539 schools in CA
James Earl Carter Elementary
Elementary School · Desert Sands Unified
74-251 Hovley Ln. East, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Enrollment
517
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
517
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#5,224 of 9,539
In Palm Desert
#3 of 6
public schools
In district
#6 of 33
Desert Sands Unified
Academic performance
8.9 / 10
Excellent
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James Earl Carter Elementary
Elementary School in Palm Desert · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Palm Desert Charter Middle
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Abraham Lincoln Elementary
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James Earl Carter Elementary
James Earl Carter Elementary is a public elementary school in Palm Desert, CA, part of Desert Sands Unified. James Earl Carter Elementary serves approximately 517 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 22.5:1 student-teacher ratio. James Earl Carter Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #5,224 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for James Earl Carter Elementary show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.1 · Average
- District avg 4.5
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
James Earl Carter Elementary runs 22.5:1 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.
31% of students at James Earl Carter Elementary 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
James Earl Carter Elementary — Students at James Earl Carter Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.3%
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: 4.6/10.
How James Earl Carter Elementary Compares
See how James Earl Carter Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
74-251 Hovley Ln. East, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Earl Carter Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. George Washington Charter (rated 6.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Rancho Mirage Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Rancho Mirage), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ronald Reagan Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 3.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Palm Desert, see our Palm Desert schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.0 miNeighborhood 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 |
|---|---|
| ADVENTURE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Roseville, CA | 6.1 |
| Angier Elementary San Diego, CA | 6.1 |
| Bay View Elementary Santa Cruz, CA | 6.1 |
| Betty Plasencia Elementary Los Angeles, CA | 6.1 |
| Bishop Elementary Sunnyvale, CA | 6.1 |
| CHEDER MENACHEM Los Angeles, CA | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Earl Carter Elementary
What grades does James Earl Carter Elementary serve?
James Earl Carter Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend James Earl Carter Elementary?
James Earl Carter Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 517 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Earl Carter Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at James Earl Carter Elementary is 22.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Earl Carter Elementary rank in CA?
James Earl Carter Elementary ranks #5,224 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is James Earl Carter Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James Earl Carter Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 James Earl Carter Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James Earl Carter Elementary has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is James Earl Carter Elementary a charter school?
No, James Earl Carter Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Earl Carter Elementary a Title I school?
No, James Earl Carter Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Earl Carter Elementary?
56.3% of students at James Earl Carter 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 517
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Riverside County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.1%
- Phone
- (760) 862-4370
Resources & Links
District
Desert Sands Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,898
- Schools in District
- 35
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,070
- District Rank
- #6 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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