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Average

#4121 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 43% in state

Las Palmitas Elementary

Elementary School · Coachella Valley Unified

86150 Avenue 66, Thermal, CA 92274

Enrollment

582

Student-Teacher

21.6:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Thermal

#3 of 8

public schools

California elementary schools

#2,613 of 5,817

In district

#11 of 21

Coachella Valley Unified

Academic growth

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Las Palmitas Elementary

Las Palmitas Elementary is a regular public school located in Thermal, California, serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 582 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21.6:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention to its learners. The campus hosts 27 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their pupils.

Las Palmitas Elementary's academic performance shows room for improvement, with an ELA proficiency rate of 20% and a math proficiency rate of 12%. These figures indicate that the school is focusing on student development in various areas. Despite these challenges, the community around Las Palmitas Elementary remains supportive and dedicated to helping students succeed.

The school is situated in a rural area near Thermal, offering a close-knit environment where students can feel connected to their peers and teachers. This setting allows for a strong sense of community and support among families and educators alike.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Las Palmitas Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Las Palmitas Elementary is 21.6:1, 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.

Located in a rural area, Las Palmitas Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.1%
Math vs. State Avg-32.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.7 pts
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected-3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,466

Las Palmitas Elementary — Students at Las Palmitas Elementary score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 12.4%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 19.8%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 14 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
15%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
15%
2024
Math
12.9%
ELA
20.4%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Las Palmitas Elementary Compares

See how Las Palmitas Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
57th percentile in CA
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

86150 Avenue 66, Thermal, CA 92274

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Las Palmitas Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Peter Pendleton Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Coachella), which scores notably higher. Another option is Valle del Sol Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Coachella), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Palm View Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Coachella), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Thermal, see our Thermal schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Toro Canyon Middle Thermal 0.0 mi 6.4
Desert Mirage High Thermal 0.0 mi 5.8
The Kingdom of Light Homeschool Thermal 4.6 mi
La Familia Continuation High Thermal 4.6 mi 6.1
John Kelley Elementary Thermal 4.8 mi 7.3
Oasis Elementary Thermal 4.7 mi 4.6
Coachella Valley High Thermal 5.4 mi 5.7
Mecca Elementary Mecca 5.0 mi 4.2
Valley View Elementary Coachella 6.6 mi 6.9
Westside Elementary Thermal 6.2 mi 7.8
Saul Martinez Elementary Mecca 5.7 mi 5.9
NOVA Academy - Coachella Santa Ana 6.8 mi 4.4
Peter Pendleton Elementary Coachella 6.9 mi 8.9
Valle del Sol Elementary Coachella 7.1 mi 8.4
Bobby Duke Middle Coachella 7.1 mi 7.5
Palm View Elementary Coachella 7.3 mi 8.1
Coral Mountain Academy Coachella 7.5 mi 5.9
Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High Coachella 7.7 mi 6.5
Imagine Schools Riverside County Coachella 7.9 mi 4.7
Cesar Chavez Elementary Coachella 8.2 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92274 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$36,087

Median Home Value

$139,900

Median Rent

$903/mo

Population

17,909

College Educated

5.3%

Homeownership

75.1%

Avg Commute

27.8 min

Poverty Rate

22.8%

Median Age

35.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Las Palmitas Elementary has a median household income of $36,087. It is a community where 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,900, with a median rent of $903/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Addams Elementary Fresno, CA 6.6
Agua Caliente Elementary Cathedral City, CA 6.6
BRIDGES Charter Thousand Oaks, CA 6.6
Blue Oak Elementary Cameron Park, CA 6.6
Blue Oaks Elementary Roseville, CA 6.6
Bowman Charter Auburn, CA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Las Palmitas Elementary

What grades does Las Palmitas Elementary serve?

Las Palmitas Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Las Palmitas Elementary?

Las Palmitas Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 582 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Las Palmitas Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Las Palmitas Elementary is 21.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Las Palmitas Elementary rank in CA?

Las Palmitas Elementary is ranked #4121 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Las Palmitas Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Las Palmitas Elementary has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Las Palmitas Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Las Palmitas Elementary has 12.4% math proficiency and 19.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Las Palmitas Elementary a charter school?

No, Las Palmitas Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Las Palmitas Elementary a Title I school?

No, Las Palmitas Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Las Palmitas Elementary?

96.2% of students at Las Palmitas Elementary 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

County Safety
Average (286/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
582
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Riverside County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Coachella Valley Unified
District Enrollment
16,046
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,412
District Rank
#11 of 21

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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