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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

Charter

Enrollment

1,389

Student-Teacher

28.3:1

Score

5.3

Grades

6th – 8th

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 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.4%
Math vs. State Avg+5.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.5 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio28.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,696

Palm Desert Charter Middle — Students at Palm Desert Charter Middle score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.5%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 56.5%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
46%
ELA
65%
2024
Math
40.3%
ELA
54.4%

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.

Overall Score
5.3/10
27th percentile in CA
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
4.7/10
Below average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
28:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Abraham Lincoln Elementary Palm Desert 0.2 mi 3.3
Morning Stars Learning Program Palm Desert 0.2 mi
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Palm Desert 0.4 mi 5.3
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF THE DESERT Palm Desert 0.5 mi
James Earl Carter Elementary Palm Desert 0.8 mi 6.8
Palm Desert High Palm Desert 0.7 mi 8.0
Aleph Schoolhouse Palm Desert 0.8 mi
Coachella Valley Arts Institute Palm Desert 1.1 mi
George Washington Charter Palm Desert 1.2 mi 6.7
DESERT ADVENTIST SCHOOL Palm Desert 1.7 mi 5.4
Desert Adventist School Palm Desert 1.7 mi
Rancho Mirage Elementary Rancho Mirage 3.0 mi 6.8
Gerald R. Ford Elementary Indian Wells 3.4 mi 7.3
Ronald Reagan Elementary Palm Desert 3.6 mi 5.3
XAVIER COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL Palm Desert 4.2 mi 6.8
Xavier College Preparatory High School Palm Desert 4.2 mi
PALM DESERT LEARNING TREE CENTER Palm Desert 3.8 mi 5.4
Palm Desert Learning Tree Center Palm Desert 3.8 mi
TOT STOP PRESCHOOL Palm Desert 3.8 mi
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle La Quinta 3.9 mi 3.9

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,159/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Desert Sands Unified
District Enrollment
25,898
Schools in District
35
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,070
District Rank
#12 of 33

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

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