Skip to main content

Average

#5702 of 9,539 schools in CA

James Workman Middle

Middle School · Palm Springs Unified

69-300 30th Ave., Cathedral City, CA 92234

Enrollment

1,027

Student-Teacher

23.3:1

Score

5.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#5,702 of 9,539

In Cathedral City

#5 of 9

public schools

In district

#15 of 27

Palm Springs Unified

Equity

7.4 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around James Workman Middle?

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 Workman Middle

5.9/10

Middle School in Cathedral City · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sunny Sands Elementary

6.8/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Rancho Mirage High

6.9/10

1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About James Workman Middle

James Workman Middle is a public middle school in Cathedral City, CA, part of Palm Springs Unified. James Workman Middle serves approximately 1,027 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 23.3:1 student-teacher ratio. James Workman Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #5,702 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for James Workman Middle show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.1
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

James Workman Middle runs 23.3:1 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.

30% of students at James Workman Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.92 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-9.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.5 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)19% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
Resources & Environment6.4Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,811
Chronic Absenteeism30.2%

James Workman Middle — Students at James Workman Middle score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 48.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
56%
ELA
55%
2010
Math
51%
ELA
55%
2011
Math
50%
ELA
56%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
53%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
29%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
29%
ELA
51%
2017
Math
29%
ELA
45%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
49%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
49%
2022
Math
22.6%
ELA
37.5%
2024
Math
24.7%
ELA
39.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.4/10.

How James Workman Middle Compares

See how James Workman Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
40th percentile in CA
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
4.4/10
Below Average
Environment
6.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

69-300 30th Ave., Cathedral City, CA 92234

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James Workman Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cathedral City High (rated 8.2/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PALM SPRINGS (rated 7.5/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Palm Springs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Palm Springs High (rated 7.2/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Palm Springs), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cathedral City, see our Cathedral City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Sunny Sands Elementary Cathedral City 0.5 mi 6.8
Rancho Mirage High Rancho Mirage 1.3 mi 6.9
Landau Elementary Cathedral City 1.3 mi 5.6
Mt. San Jacinto High Cathedral City 1.4 mi 7.0
Cathedral City High Cathedral City 1.9 mi 8.2
Palm Valley School Rancho Mirage 2.3 mi
Nellie N. Coffman Middle Cathedral City 2.4 mi 6.3
Rio Vista Elementary Cathedral City 2.2 mi 4.7
Agua Caliente Elementary Cathedral City 2.2 mi 5.0
Cathedral City Elementary Cathedral City 2.8 mi 5.4
PALM VALLEY SCHOOL Rancho Mirage 2.8 mi 7.1
Virtual Pre Palm Springs 2.4 mi
King's Schools of the Desert Palm Springs 3.0 mi
KING'S SCHOOLS OF THE DESERT Palm Springs 3.1 mi 5.6
Cielo Vista Charter Palm Springs 3.0 mi 6.2
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PALM SPRINGS Palm Springs 3.2 mi 7.5
Della S. Lindley Elementary Thousand Palms 3.2 mi 6.6
ST THERESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Springs 3.8 mi 6.7
Palm Springs High Palm Springs 4.0 mi 7.2
Desert Learning Academy Palm Springs 4.2 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92234 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,031

Median Home Value

$420,700

Median Rent

$1,554/mo

Population

52,047

College Educated

25.8%

Homeownership

65.3%

Avg Commute

20 min

Poverty Rate

15.3%

Median Age

40.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Antelope Crossing Middle Antelope, CA 5.9
Bobby Duke Middle Coachella, CA 5.9
Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High Coachella, CA 5.9
Cesar Chavez Middle Oceanside, CA 5.9
Chalone Peaks Middle King City, CA 5.9
Charles Blackstock Junior High Oxnard, CA 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James Workman Middle

What grades does James Workman Middle serve?

James Workman Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend James Workman Middle?

James Workman Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,027 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James Workman Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at James Workman Middle is 23.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James Workman Middle rank in CA?

James Workman Middle ranks #5,702 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is James Workman Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

James Workman Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Workman Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James Workman Middle has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is James Workman Middle a charter school?

No, James Workman Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is James Workman Middle a Title I school?

No, James Workman Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Workman Middle?

98.1% of students at James Workman Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
43 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,027
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Riverside County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.2%

District

Palm Springs Unified
District Enrollment
20,416
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,811
District Rank
#15 of 27

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 rate

Related reading

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.