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Average

#5413 of 9,539 schools in CA

La Quinta High

High School · Desert Sands Unified

79-255 Blackhawk Way, La Quinta, CA 92253

Enrollment

2,488

Student-Teacher

25.6:1

Score

6.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#5,413 of 9,539

In La Quinta

#2 of 7

public schools

In district

#7 of 33

Desert Sands Unified

Academic performance

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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La Quinta High

6.0/10

High School in La Quinta · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies

4.7/10

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

John Glenn Middle School of International Studies

4.1/10

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

About La Quinta High

La Quinta High is a public high school in La Quinta, CA, part of Desert Sands Unified. La Quinta High serves approximately 2,488 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 25.6:1 student-teacher ratio. La Quinta High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #5,413 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for La Quinta High 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

Sources: Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.

La Quinta High School (LQHS) is a public high school located in Westminster, Orange County, California 2 . It is one of seven high schools within the Garden Grove Unified School District 2 .
Sources (1)
  1. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy
How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

La Quinta High is a large school: 2,488 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

La Quinta High runs 25.6:1 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.

34% of students at La Quinta High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.1Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.35 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.9% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-4.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9 pts
Overall Proficiency44% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+11.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
College Readiness8.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate97%
AP Participation8.5%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment3.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,070
Chronic Absenteeism33.8%

La Quinta High — Students at La Quinta High score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 44.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
31.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 67.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.5% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 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
64%
ELA
63%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
69%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
73%
2013
Math
80%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
39%
ELA
76%
2015
Math
38%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
34%
ELA
74%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
30%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
30%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
31%
ELA
65%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
65%
2024
Math
23.7%
ELA
64.9%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.1/10.

How La Quinta High Compares

See how La Quinta High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
43th percentile in CA
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.6
Sports
22
11 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
97 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered IB Programme
8.5% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·494 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics22sports offered
11 boys'·11 girls'·43 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

79-255 Blackhawk Way, La Quinta, CA 92253

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering La Quinta High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. James Monroe Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Bermuda Dunes), which scores notably higher. Another option is Horizon (rated 6.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Summit High (Continuation) (rated 5.7/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in La Quinta, see our La Quinta schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies Indio 0.5 mi 4.7
John Glenn Middle School of International Studies Indio 0.6 mi 4.1
James Madison Elementary Indio 1.5 mi 3.2
La Quinta Middle La Quinta 1.8 mi 5.5
Brilliant Microschool Indio 1.7 mi
Harry S. Truman Elementary La Quinta 1.9 mi 4.0
Horizon La Quinta 1.8 mi 6.6
Summit High (Continuation) La Quinta 1.8 mi 5.7
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle La Quinta 1.8 mi 3.0
Indio Middle Indio 1.8 mi 3.0
Carrillo Ranch Elementary Indio 2.0 mi 3.7
TOT STOP PRESCHOOL Palm Desert 2.2 mi
James Monroe Elementary Bermuda Dunes 2.3 mi 8.1
Gerald R. Ford Elementary Indian Wells 2.1 mi 5.1
Palm Desert Learning Tree Center Palm Desert 2.3 mi
PALM DESERT LEARNING TREE CENTER Palm Desert 2.3 mi 5.4
LA QUINTA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP La Quinta 2.5 mi
La Quinta Christian Fellowship School La Quinta 2.6 mi
John F. Kennedy Elementary Indio 2.2 mi 3.3
Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary Indio 2.3 mi 2.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92253 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,397

Median Home Value

$612,800

Median Rent

$1,741/mo

Population

38,281

College Educated

38.9%

Homeownership

74.8%

Avg Commute

26.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

52.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Anaheim High Anaheim, CA 6.0
Andrew P. Hill High San Jose, CA 6.0
Centennial High Bakersfield, CA 6.0
Century High Santa Ana, CA 6.0
Ceres High Ceres, CA 6.0
Gilroy High Gilroy, CA 6.0

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
42 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,488
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
97
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Riverside County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.8%
4-Year Graduation
97.0%

District

Desert Sands Unified
District Enrollment
25,898
Schools in District
35
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,070
District Rank
#7 of 33

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