Skip to main content

Average

#4440 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 47% in state

Painted Hills Middle

Middle School · Palm Springs Unified

9250 Sonora Dr., Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240

Enrollment

744

Student-Teacher

21.3:1

Score

6.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Desert Hot Springs

#2 of 8

public schools

California middle schools

#636 of 1,349

In district

#9 of 27

Palm Springs Unified

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Painted Hills Middle

Painted Hills Middle serves grades 6 through 8 in Desert Hot Springs, located in Riverside County on the fringe of an urban area. The school enrolls 744 students with a student-teacher ratio of 21.3 to 1, supported by 35 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Painted Hills is working to strengthen student performance.

Currently, 25% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grades, while 11% meet proficiency standards in math. The school has room for significant academic growth, ranking in the 21st percentile among California schools and earning a MySchoolScout academic score of 2.2 out of 10. For families considering Painted Hills, it's important to understand these performance metrics and think about what academic support and resources would be most helpful for your student.

Parents may want to discuss specific intervention programs, tutoring options, or enrichment activities available at the school. The school's location in a town on the fringe of an urban area offers a distinct community setting for middle grade students.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Painted Hills Middle 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 Painted Hills Middle is 21.3:1, 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.32 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.4Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5%
Math vs. State Avg-24 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.4 pts
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected-2.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,524

Painted Hills Middle — Students at Painted Hills Middle score 17% 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

96.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 10.9%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 24.6%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 10 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
13%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
10.3%
ELA
24.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.6/10.

How Painted Hills Middle Compares

See how Painted Hills Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in CA
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

Location

9250 Sonora Dr., Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Painted Hills Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Raymond Cree Middle (rated 7.5/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Palm Springs), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Desert Springs Middle (rated 5.1/10, 2.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Desert Hot Springs, see our Desert Hot Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Bella Vista Elementary Desert Hot Springs 0.2 mi 5.9
Desert Hot Springs High Desert Hot Springs 1.2 mi 7.1
Cabot Yerxa Elementary Desert Hot Springs 2.2 mi 4.2
Two Bunch Palms Elementary Desert Hot Springs 2.5 mi 5.9
Desert Springs Middle Desert Hot Springs 2.7 mi 5.1
Bubbling Wells Elementary Desert Hot Springs 3.5 mi 5.2
Julius Corsini Elementary Desert Hot Springs 3.9 mi 4.0
Morongo Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms 6.3 mi 5.1
Vista del Monte Elementary Palm Springs 8.8 mi 4.3
Rio Vista Elementary Cathedral City 9.1 mi 5.4
Raymond Cree Middle Palm Springs 9.5 mi 7.5
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PALM SPRINGS Palm Springs 9.7 mi 7.5
Katherine Finchy Elementary Palm Springs 10.0 mi 5.6
Yucca Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms 10.0 mi 5.4
Joshua Springs Academy Yucca Valley 10.0 mi
Landau Elementary Cathedral City 10.8 mi 6.3
Virtual Pre Palm Springs 10.9 mi
Agua Caliente Elementary Cathedral City 10.9 mi 6.6
Yucca Valley High Twentynine Palms 10.5 mi 6.0
Mt. San Jacinto High Cathedral City 11.1 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92240 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,284

Median Home Value

$294,200

Median Rent

$1,367/mo

Population

40,918

College Educated

15.3%

Homeownership

55.7%

Avg Commute

29.1 min

Poverty Rate

18.9%

Median Age

35.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Painted Hills Middle has a median household income of $51,284. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $294,200, with a median rent of $1,367/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Alamitos Intermediate Garden Grove, CA 6.5
Andrew N. Christensen Middle Livermore, CA 6.5
Animo James B. Taylor Charter Middle Los Angeles, CA 6.5
Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High Coachella, CA 6.5
Crystal Middle Suisun City, CA 6.5
Excelsior Elementary Roseville, CA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Painted Hills Middle

What grades does Painted Hills Middle serve?

Painted Hills Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Painted Hills Middle?

Painted Hills Middle has an enrollment of approximately 744 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Painted Hills Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Painted Hills Middle is 21.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Painted Hills Middle rank in CA?

Painted Hills Middle is ranked #4440 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Painted Hills Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Painted Hills Middle has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Painted Hills Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Painted Hills Middle has 10.9% math proficiency and 24.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Painted Hills Middle a charter school?

No, Painted Hills Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Painted Hills Middle a Title I school?

No, Painted Hills Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Painted Hills Middle?

96.5% of students at Painted Hills 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

City Safety
High (1,698/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Desert Hot Springs). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
744
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Riverside County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.