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
Enrollment
744
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 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 10 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: 7.6/10.
How Painted Hills Middle Compares
See how Painted Hills Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 13% (2019) to 10.35% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 24.51% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (760) 251-1551
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Palm Springs Unified- District Enrollment
- 20,416
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,811
- District Rank
- #9 of 27
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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