Average
#6998 of 9,533 schools in CA
Palm Desert Charter Middle
Middle School · Desert Sands Unified
74-200 Rutledge Way, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Enrollment
1,389
Student-Teacher
28.3:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,389
Student-Teacher
28.3:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palm Desert
#4 of 6
public schools
California middle schools
#1,054 of 1,349
In district
#12 of 33
Desert Sands Unified
Equity
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Palm Desert Charter Middle
Palm Desert Charter Middle serves 1,389 students in grades 6-8 in the desert community of Palm Desert, California. As a charter school with 49 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 28.3:1, which is higher than many traditional middle schools but typical for larger charter institutions. Academically, Palm Desert Charter Middle earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks in the 60th percentile among California middle schools at #3850 out of 9566 schools statewide.
The school demonstrates solid performance in English Language Arts, with 54% of students achieving proficiency or above across all grade levels. Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, as 40% of students reach proficiency standards. These results reflect the school's focus on student development in a diverse learning environment.
The school draws from a community where 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income is $68,750. Located on Rutledge Way in this Riverside County desert city, Palm Desert Charter Middle operates in a small city setting that combines suburban residential areas with the unique character of Southern California's Coachella Valley region.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Palm Desert Charter Middle is 28.3:1, 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.
Palm Desert Charter Middle is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Palm Desert Charter Middle — Students at Palm Desert Charter Middle score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.8%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.7/10.
How Palm Desert Charter Middle Compares
See how Palm Desert Charter Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 40.28% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 54.39% (2024).
Location
74-200 Rutledge Way, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palm Desert Charter Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Palm Desert High (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gerald R. Ford Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Indian Wells), which scores notably higher. Additionally, James Earl Carter Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Palm Desert, see our Palm Desert schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92260 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,252
Median Home Value
$463,500
Median Rent
$1,654/mo
Population
30,751
College Educated
38.1%
Homeownership
62.9%
Avg Commute
20.8 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Median Age
58
Community Profile
The community surrounding Palm Desert Charter Middle has a median household income of $72,252. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $463,500, with a median rent of $1,654/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Barbara Worth Junior High Brawley, CA | 5.3 |
| Hesperia Junior High Hesperia, CA | 5.3 |
| Menifee Valley Middle Menifee, CA | 5.3 |
| Silverado Middle Roseville, CA | 5.3 |
| South Junior High Anaheim, CA | 5.3 |
| Woodland Park Middle San Marcos, CA | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palm Desert Charter Middle
What grades does Palm Desert Charter Middle serve?
Palm Desert Charter Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Palm Desert Charter Middle?
Palm Desert Charter Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,389 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palm Desert Charter Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Palm Desert Charter Middle is 28.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palm Desert Charter Middle rank in CA?
Palm Desert Charter Middle is ranked #6998 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Palm Desert Charter Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Palm Desert Charter Middle has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Palm Desert Charter Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palm Desert Charter Middle has 41.5% math proficiency and 56.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palm Desert Charter Middle a charter school?
Yes, Palm Desert Charter Middle is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Palm Desert Charter Middle a Title I school?
No, Palm Desert Charter Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palm Desert Charter Middle?
62.8% of students at Palm Desert Charter 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,389
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 28.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Riverside County
- Phone
- (760) 862-4320
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Desert Sands Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,898
- Schools in District
- 35
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,070
- District Rank
- #12 of 33
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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