Average
#5489 of 9,539 schools in CA
Painted Hills Middle
Middle School · Palm Springs Unified
9250 Sonora Dr., Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
Enrollment
744
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
744
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#5,489 of 9,539
In Desert Hot Springs
#2 of 8
public schools
In district
#14 of 27
Palm Springs Unified
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Excellent
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Painted Hills Middle
Middle School in Desert Hot Springs · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Bella Vista Elementary
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Desert Hot Springs High
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Painted Hills Middle
Painted Hills Middle is a public middle school in Desert Hot Springs, CA, part of Palm Springs Unified. Painted Hills Middle serves approximately 744 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 21.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Painted Hills Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #5,489 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Painted Hills Middle show 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2024) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2024).
- This school 6.0 · Average
- District avg 6.1
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Painted Hills Middle sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Painted Hills Middle runs 21.3:1 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.
57% of students at Painted Hills 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Painted Hills Middle — Students at Painted Hills Middle score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 26 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.3/10.
How Painted Hills Middle Compares
See how Painted Hills Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 notably higher. Additionally, Desert Springs Middle (rated 4.8/10, 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 | 3.7 |
| Desert Hot Springs High Desert Hot Springs | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Cabot Yerxa Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Two Bunch Palms Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Desert Springs Middle Desert Hot Springs | 2.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Bubbling Wells Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 3.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Julius Corsini Elementary Desert Hot Springs | 3.9 mi | 3.0 |
| Morongo Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms | 6.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Vista del Monte Elementary Palm Springs | 8.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Rio Vista Elementary Cathedral City | 9.1 mi | 4.7 |
| 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 | 5.3 |
| Yucca Valley Elementary Twentynine Palms | 10.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Joshua Springs Academy Yucca Valley | 10.0 mi | — |
| Landau Elementary Cathedral City | 10.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Virtual Pre Palm Springs | 10.9 mi | — |
| Agua Caliente Elementary Cathedral City | 10.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Yucca Valley High Twentynine Palms | 10.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Mt. San Jacinto High Cathedral City | 11.1 mi | 7.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 4 Los Angeles, CA | 6.0 |
| Alondra Middle Paramount, CA | 6.0 |
| Atascadero Middle Atascadero, CA | 6.0 |
| Bancroft Middle San Leandro, CA | 6.0 |
| Dale Junior High Anaheim, CA | 6.0 |
| Daniel J. Savage Middle Modesto, CA | 6.0 |
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 ranks #5,489 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Painted Hills Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Painted Hills Middle 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 Painted Hills Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Painted Hills Middle has 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2024) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 56.7%
- Phone
- (760) 251-1551
Resources & Links
District
Palm Springs Unified- District Enrollment
- 20,416
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,811
- District Rank
- #14 of 27
Other Schools in This District
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