Very Good
#2033 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 21% in state
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
7.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,488
Student-Teacher
25.6:1
Score
7.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Quinta
#1 of 7
public schools
California high schools
#353 of 1,892
In district
#2 of 33
Desert Sands Unified
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About La Quinta High
La Quinta High serves 2,488 students in grades 9-12 in the affluent desert community of La Quinta, California. With 97 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.6:1, which is fairly typical for a large public high school. Academically, La Quinta High earns a 6.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 58th percentile among California high schools at #3997 out of 9566 schools statewide.
The school shows solid performance in English Language Arts, with 65% of students scoring proficient or above across grade levels. However, mathematics presents an area with significant room for growth, as only 24% of students achieve proficiency or above in math assessments. The school draws from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $92,744 and 38% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of 9.5%, with median home values around $560,500, reflecting the area's desirability. Located on Blackhawk Way in Riverside County, La Quinta High sits in the heart of the Coachella Valley's large suburban landscape, surrounded by the natural beauty of the California desert and the Santa Rosa Mountains.
What's said publicly about La Quinta High
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
La Quinta High is a large school with 2,488 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
The student-teacher ratio at La Quinta High is 25.6:1, 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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La Quinta High — Students at La Quinta High score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.3/10.
How La Quinta High Compares
See how La Quinta High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 23.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 64.94% (2024).
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. Gerald R. Ford Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Indian Wells), with a very similar rating. Another option is Summit High (Continuation) (rated 5.9/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, La Quinta Middle (rated 5.7/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 3.8 |
| John Glenn Middle School of International Studies Indio | 0.6 mi | 5.4 |
| James Madison Elementary Indio | 1.5 mi | 4.3 |
| La Quinta Middle La Quinta | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Brilliant Microschool Indio | 1.7 mi | — |
| Harry S. Truman Elementary La Quinta | 1.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Horizon La Quinta | 1.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Summit High (Continuation) La Quinta | 1.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle La Quinta | 1.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Indio Middle Indio | 1.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Carrillo Ranch Elementary Indio | 2.0 mi | 4.6 |
| TOT STOP PRESCHOOL Palm Desert | 2.2 mi | — |
| James Monroe Elementary Bermuda Dunes | 2.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Gerald R. Ford Elementary Indian Wells | 2.1 mi | 7.3 |
| 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 | 3.1 |
| Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary Indio | 2.3 mi | 2.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding La Quinta High has a median household income of $97,397. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $612,800, with a median rent of $1,741/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Brea Olinda High Brea, CA | 7.6 |
| Buchanan High Clovis, CA | 7.6 |
| Cypress High Cypress, CA | 7.6 |
| Del Norte High San Diego, CA | 7.6 |
| Eastlake High Chula Vista, CA | 7.6 |
| Foothill High Tustin, CA | 7.6 |
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 is ranked #2033 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is La Quinta High's MySchoolScout rating?
La Quinta High has a composite rating of 7.6 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 La Quinta High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Quinta High has 27.1% math proficiency and 63.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (760) 772-4150
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Desert Sands Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,898
- Schools in District
- 35
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,070
- District Rank
- #2 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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.
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