Average
#3715 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 39% in state
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
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
517
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palm Desert
#2 of 6
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,393 of 5,817
In district
#4 of 33
Desert Sands Unified
Academic performance
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About James Earl Carter Elementary
James Earl Carter Elementary serves 517 students from kindergarten through fifth grade in Palm Desert, California. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.5:1, providing a structured learning environment for elementary-aged children. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranking in the 83rd percentile statewide at #1612 out of 9566 California elementary schools.
Students show solid achievement in English Language Arts, with 63% scoring proficient or above across grade levels. In mathematics, 51% of students achieve proficiency or higher, indicating steady progress in core academic areas. Located on Hovley Lane East, James Earl Carter Elementary sits within a diverse community where the median household income is $68,750 and 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects a mix of economic backgrounds, with a 15.2% poverty rate and median home values around $424,100. The school operates as a regular public elementary school in Riverside County, serving families throughout the Palm Desert area. Its location in this small city provides students with a community-oriented educational experience in the heart of the Coachella Valley.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at James Earl Carter Elementary is 22.5:1, 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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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 10 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 James Earl Carter Elementary Compares
See how James Earl Carter Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 51.05% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 63.18% (2024).
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. Gerald R. Ford Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Indian Wells), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Rancho Mirage Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Rancho Mirage), with a very similar rating. Additionally, George Washington Charter (rated 6.7/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Earl Carter Elementary has a median household income of $72,252. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $463,500, with a median rent of $1,654/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| ALL SOULS WORLD LANGUAGE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alhambra, CA | 6.8 |
| Allen (Decima M.) Elementary San Bruno, CA | 6.8 |
| Anna Hause Elementary Beaumont, CA | 6.8 |
| Antelope Elementary Red Bluff, CA | 6.8 |
| Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary Manhattan Beach, CA | 6.8 |
| Bay Laurel Elementary Calabasas, CA | 6.8 |
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 is ranked #3715 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is James Earl Carter Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James Earl Carter Elementary has a composite rating of 6.8 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 James Earl Carter Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Earl Carter Elementary has 51.7% math proficiency and 64.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (3,159/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palm Desert). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (760) 862-4370
- 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
- #4 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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