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Average

#4930 of 9,539 schools in CA

Nellie N. Coffman Middle

Middle School · Palm Springs Unified

34-603 Plumley Rd., Cathedral City, CA 92234

Enrollment

928

Student-Teacher

20.6:1

Score

6.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,930 of 9,539

In Cathedral City

#4 of 9

public schools

In district

#11 of 27

Palm Springs Unified

School environment

7.3 / 10

Very Good

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Nellie N. Coffman Middle

6.3/10

Middle School in Cathedral City · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cathedral City Elementary

5.4/10

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

Cathedral City High

8.2/10

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

About Nellie N. Coffman Middle

Nellie N. Coffman Middle is a public middle school in Cathedral City, CA, part of Palm Springs Unified. Nellie N.

Coffman Middle serves approximately 928 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Nellie N. Coffman Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #4,930 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Nellie N. Coffman Middle show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.3 · Average
  • District avg 6.1
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Nellie N. Coffman Middle runs 20.6:1 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.

39% of students at Nellie N. Coffman Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.28 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency28.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-19 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.5 pts
Overall Proficiency22% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,811
Chronic Absenteeism39%

Nellie N. Coffman Middle — Students at Nellie N. Coffman Middle score 22% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 23.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 33.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (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
41%
ELA
40%
2010
Math
37%
ELA
39%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
40%
ELA
39%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
30%
2015
Math
19%
ELA
34%
2016
Math
19%
ELA
36%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
33%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
33%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
32.3%
2024
Math
15.4%
ELA
28.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.6/10.

How Nellie N. Coffman Middle Compares

See how Nellie N. Coffman Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
48th percentile in CA
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
7.3/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.0%

Programs & Offerings

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

34-603 Plumley Rd., Cathedral City, CA 92234

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nellie N. Coffman Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cathedral City High (rated 8.2/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PALM SPRINGS (rated 7.5/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Palm Springs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Palm Springs High (rated 7.2/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Palm Springs), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cathedral City, see our Cathedral City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Cathedral City Elementary Cathedral City 0.4 mi 5.4
Cathedral City High Cathedral City 0.5 mi 8.2
PALM VALLEY SCHOOL Rancho Mirage 0.6 mi 7.1
Palm Valley School Rancho Mirage 0.6 mi
Sunny Sands Elementary Cathedral City 1.9 mi 6.8
Rancho Mirage High Rancho Mirage 2.0 mi 6.9
KING'S SCHOOLS OF THE DESERT Palm Springs 1.7 mi 5.6
King's Schools of the Desert Palm Springs 1.7 mi
James Workman Middle Cathedral City 2.4 mi 5.9
Mt. San Jacinto High Cathedral City 2.4 mi 7.0
Landau Elementary Cathedral City 2.7 mi 5.6
Agua Caliente Elementary Cathedral City 3.0 mi 5.0
Virtual Pre Palm Springs 3.2 mi
Cielo Vista Charter Palm Springs 3.1 mi 6.2
Della S. Lindley Elementary Thousand Palms 3.5 mi 6.6
Rancho Mirage Elementary Rancho Mirage 4.2 mi 6.3
Rio Vista Elementary Cathedral City 4.3 mi 4.7
ST THERESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Springs 4.0 mi 6.7
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PALM SPRINGS Palm Springs 4.5 mi 7.5
Palm Springs High Palm Springs 4.3 mi 7.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bidwell Junior High Chico, CA 6.3
Cactus Medical Health and Technology Magnet Academy Palmdale, CA 6.3
Cesar Chavez Middle Union City, CA 6.3
Dr. Manuel M. Lopez Academy of Arts & Sciences Oxnard, CA 6.3
Fred L. Thompson Junior High Bakersfield, CA 6.3
Hillside Middle Simi Valley, CA 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nellie N. Coffman Middle

What grades does Nellie N. Coffman Middle serve?

Nellie N. Coffman Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Nellie N. Coffman Middle?

Nellie N. Coffman Middle has an enrollment of approximately 928 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nellie N. Coffman Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Nellie N. Coffman Middle is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nellie N. Coffman Middle rank in CA?

Nellie N. Coffman Middle ranks #4,930 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Nellie N. Coffman Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Nellie N. Coffman Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Nellie N. Coffman Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Nellie N. Coffman Middle has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Nellie N. Coffman Middle a charter school?

No, Nellie N. Coffman Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Nellie N. Coffman Middle a Title I school?

No, Nellie N. Coffman Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nellie N. Coffman Middle?

97.1% of students at Nellie N. Coffman 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
42 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
928
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Free/Reduced Lunch
97.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Riverside County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.0%

District

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

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