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Average

#5591 of 9,533 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

6.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cathedral City

#6 of 9

public schools

California middle schools

#816 of 1,349

In district

#13 of 27

Palm Springs Unified

Equity

7.4 / 10

Strong

About James Workman Middle

James Workman Middle serves 1,027 students in grades 6 through 8 in Cathedral City, California. This regular public school operates with 44 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 23.3:1. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks in the 42nd percentile among California middle schools.

Academically, James Workman Middle has room for growth, with 39% of students performing at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts and 25% reaching proficiency in mathematics. These areas present opportunities for continued focus on student development and academic support. The school draws from a diverse community in the 92234 ZIP code, where the median household income is $63,209 and median home values are $381,800.

About 26% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 17.3%. The surrounding population of nearly 52,000 creates a substantial community base for the school. James Workman Middle is situated in Cathedral City's large suburban setting in Riverside County, providing students with access to the resources and opportunities that come with this growing desert community in the Coachella Valley.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at James Workman Middle is 23.3:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.68 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.4%
Math vs. State Avg-9.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.5 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)19%
vs. Expected+13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
Resources & Environment6.3Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,524

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 26.2%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 41.3%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
49%
2024
Math
24.7%
ELA
39.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.6/10.

How James Workman Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
41th percentile in CA
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

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 8.8/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sunny Sands Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PALM SPRINGS (rated 7.5/10, 3.2 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 7.9
Rancho Mirage High Rancho Mirage 1.3 mi 6.6
Landau Elementary Cathedral City 1.3 mi 6.3
Mt. San Jacinto High Cathedral City 1.4 mi 5.9
Cathedral City High Cathedral City 1.9 mi 8.8
Palm Valley School Rancho Mirage 2.3 mi
Nellie N. Coffman Middle Cathedral City 2.4 mi 6.2
Rio Vista Elementary Cathedral City 2.2 mi 5.4
Agua Caliente Elementary Cathedral City 2.2 mi 6.6
Cathedral City Elementary Cathedral City 2.8 mi 5.3
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 6.4
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PALM SPRINGS Palm Springs 3.2 mi 7.5
Della S. Lindley Elementary Thousand Palms 3.2 mi 4.9
ST THERESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Springs 3.8 mi 6.7
Palm Springs High Palm Springs 4.0 mi 7.0
Desert Learning Academy Palm Springs 4.2 mi 5.8

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding James Workman Middle has a median household income of $67,031. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $420,700, with a median rent of $1,554/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.3%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Alder Middle Fontana, CA 6.0
Aviara Oaks Middle Carlsbad, CA 6.0
Black Mountain Middle San Diego, CA 6.0
Edna Hill Middle Brentwood, CA 6.0
Erle Stanley Gardner Middle Temecula, CA 6.0
Fruitvale Junior High Bakersfield, CA 6.0

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 is ranked #5591 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is James Workman Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

James Workman Middle has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Workman Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Workman Middle has 26.2% math proficiency and 41.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (1,532/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cathedral City). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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