Average
#5616 of 9,539 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
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,389
Student-Teacher
28.3:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#5,616 of 9,539
In Palm Desert
#4 of 6
public schools
In district
#9 of 33
Desert Sands Unified
Equity
8.1 / 10
Excellent
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Palm Desert Charter Middle
Middle School in Palm Desert · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Abraham Lincoln Elementary
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Morning Stars Learning Program
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Palm Desert Charter Middle
Palm Desert Charter Middle is a public middle school in Palm Desert, CA, part of Desert Sands Unified. Palm Desert Charter Middle serves approximately 1,389 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 28.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Palm Desert Charter Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #5,616 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Palm Desert Charter Middle show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.9 · Average
- District avg 4.2
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Palm Desert Charter Middle runs 28.3:1 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.
Palm Desert Charter Middle is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
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 30 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: 5.8/10.
How Palm Desert Charter Middle Compares
See how Palm Desert Charter 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
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 6.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is George Washington Charter (rated 6.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, XAVIER COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores slightly 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Antelope Crossing Middle Antelope, CA | 5.9 |
| Chalone Peaks Middle King City, CA | 5.9 |
| Charles Blackstock Junior High Oxnard, CA | 5.9 |
| James Workman Middle Cathedral City, CA | 5.9 |
| Shadow Hills Engineering and Design Magnet Academy Palmdale, CA | 5.9 |
| Silverado Middle Roseville, CA | 5.9 |
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 ranks #5,616 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Palm Desert Charter Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Palm Desert Charter Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Palm Desert Charter Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Palm Desert Charter Middle has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 22.9%
- Phone
- (760) 862-4320
Resources & Links
District
Desert Sands Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,898
- Schools in District
- 35
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,070
- District Rank
- #9 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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