Needs Improvement
#9178 of 9,539 schools in CA
James Madison Elementary
Elementary School · Desert Sands Unified
80-845 Avenue 46, Indio, CA 92201
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
23.5:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
23.5:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#9,178 of 9,539
In Indio
#16 of 19
public schools
In district
#29 of 33
Desert Sands Unified
Shortlisting around James Madison Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
James Madison Elementary
Elementary School in Indio · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Indio Middle
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
John F. Kennedy Elementary
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James Madison Elementary
James Madison Elementary is a public elementary school in Indio, CA, part of Desert Sands Unified. James Madison Elementary serves approximately 376 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 23.5:1 student-teacher ratio. James Madison Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #9,178 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for James Madison Elementary show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.5
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
James Madison Elementary runs 23.5:1 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.
47% of students at James Madison 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 Madison Elementary — Students at James Madison Elementary score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 30 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: 2.7/10.
How James Madison Elementary Compares
See how James Madison Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
80-845 Avenue 46, Indio, CA 92201
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Madison Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Richard R. Oliphant Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mountain Vista Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies (rated 4.7/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Indio, see our Indio schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Indio Middle Indio | 0.6 mi | 3.0 |
| John F. Kennedy Elementary Indio | 0.8 mi | 3.3 |
| Indio High Indio | 0.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary Indio | 1.0 mi | 2.7 |
| Brilliant Microschool Indio | 1.2 mi | — |
| Carrillo Ranch Elementary Indio | 1.2 mi | 3.7 |
| John Glenn Middle School of International Studies Indio | 1.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies Indio | 1.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Dr. Reynaldo J. Carreon Jr. Academy Indio | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Herbert Hoover Elementary Indio | 1.5 mi | 2.6 |
| La Quinta High La Quinta | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Mountain Vista Elementary Indio | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Doves Landing School Indio | 2.1 mi | — |
| Al Vasquez Learning Center Indio | 2.1 mi | — |
| Thomas Jefferson Middle Indio | 2.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Andrew Jackson Elementary Indio | 2.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Theodore Roosevelt Elementary Indio | 2.4 mi | 3.8 |
| La Quinta Middle La Quinta | 2.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Richard R. Oliphant Elementary Indio | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Harry S. Truman Elementary La Quinta | 2.7 mi | 4.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,663
Median Home Value
$372,800
Median Rent
$1,349/mo
Population
66,364
College Educated
16.1%
Homeownership
59.5%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Median Age
36.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Santa Rosa, CA | 3.2 |
| Alice Birney Elementary Eureka, CA | 3.2 |
| Alice N. Stroud Elementary Modesto, CA | 3.2 |
| Allendale Elementary Oakland, CA | 3.2 |
| Arlington Heights Elementary Citrus Heights, CA | 3.2 |
| Colonial Acres Elementary Hayward, CA | 3.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Madison Elementary
What grades does James Madison Elementary serve?
James Madison Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend James Madison Elementary?
James Madison Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 376 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Madison Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at James Madison Elementary is 23.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Madison Elementary rank in CA?
James Madison Elementary ranks #9,178 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is James Madison Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James Madison Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Madison Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James Madison Elementary has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is James Madison Elementary a charter school?
No, James Madison Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Madison Elementary a Title I school?
No, James Madison Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Madison Elementary?
91.0% of students at James Madison 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
- 376
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Riverside County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 47.3%
- Phone
- (760) 775-3850
Resources & Links
District
Desert Sands Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,898
- Schools in District
- 35
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,070
- District Rank
- #29 of 33
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.