Average
#5413 of 9,539 schools in CA
La Quinta High
High School · Desert Sands Unified · La Quinta, CA
A Desert Sands Unified high school where students score 11 points above what's typical for similar communities.
79-255 Blackhawk Way, La Quinta, CA 92253
- Math 24% vs CA 32% (2024)
- Reading 65% vs CA 52% (2024)
- 97.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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Students at La Quinta High score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
2024 CAASPP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. CA average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 19 points across the 16-year record (2009–2024) and has held near 44% recently.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 44% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 68% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
73.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where La Quinta High sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 42Car-Dependent
- Bike 36Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High2,130/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (La Quinta), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$97,397
Median home value
$612,800
Median rent
$1,741/mo
College educated
38.9%
Homeownership
74.8%
Poverty rate
9.1%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 92253; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brilliant MicroschoolPrivate · tuition | Not rated | K–12 | 1.7 mi | 130 | Compare → |
| HorizonEnrollment path unverified | 6.6 | K–12 | 1.8 mi | 356 | Compare → |
| Summit High (continuation)Enrollment path unverified | 5.7 | 10–12 | 1.8 mi | 167 | Compare → |
| Indio HighEnrollment path unverified | 4.8 | 9–12 | 2.4 mi | 2,027 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Desert Sands Unified
- Schools in district
- 35
- Rank in district
- #7 of 33
- District spending per student
- $17,070NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 10.6%Census SAIPE · 2024
La Quinta High is listed in Desert Sands Unified; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About La Quinta High
La Quinta High is a public high school in La Quinta, CA, part of Desert Sands Unified, serving approximately 2,488 students in grades 9th-12th with a 25.6:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #5,413 of 9,539 schools in CA. State assessment records show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
What's said publicly about La Quinta High
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.
Sources (1)
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about La Quinta High
What grades does La Quinta High serve?
La Quinta High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend La Quinta High?
La Quinta High has an enrollment of approximately 2,488 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at La Quinta High?
The student-teacher ratio at La Quinta High is 25.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does La Quinta High rank in CA?
La Quinta High ranks #5,413 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is La Quinta High's MySchoolScout rating?
La Quinta High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 La Quinta High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, La Quinta High has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is La Quinta High a charter school?
No, La Quinta High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is La Quinta High a Title I school?
No, La Quinta High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Quinta High?
73.4% of students at La Quinta High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,488
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 97
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Riverside County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.8%
- Phone
- (760) 772-4150
- 4-Year Graduation
- 97.0%
- Area population (ZIP 92253)
- 38,281
- Area average commute
- 26.3 min
- Area median age
- 52.1
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 92253; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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