Excellent
#1314 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 14% in state
Palm Desert High
High School · Desert Sands Unified
43-570 Phyllis Jackson Ln., Palm Desert, CA 92260
Enrollment
2,039
Student-Teacher
26.1:1
Score
8.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,039
Student-Teacher
26.1:1
Score
8.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palm Desert
#1 of 6
public schools
California high schools
#220 of 1,892
In district
#1 of 33
Desert Sands Unified
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Palm Desert High
Palm Desert High serves 2,039 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of Palm Desert, California. This regular public high school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 26.1:1 with 78 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks in the 73rd percentile among California high schools, placing #2,624 out of 9,566 schools statewide.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 72% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents opportunities for growth, with 39% of students demonstrating proficiency. Palm Desert High draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $68,750 and 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood reflects a mix of economic backgrounds, with median home values around $424,100 and a poverty rate of 15.2%. Located on Phyllis Jackson Lane in Riverside County, the school sits within Palm Desert's small city atmosphere, offering students the benefits of a close-knit community setting while providing access to the educational and cultural opportunities that come with the greater Coachella Valley region.
What Parents Should Know
Palm Desert High is a large school with 2,039 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
The student-teacher ratio at Palm Desert High is 26.1:1, 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Palm Desert High — Students at Palm Desert High score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.3/10.
How Palm Desert High Compares
See how Palm Desert High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 34% (2019) to 39.47% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 71.62% (2024).
Location
43-570 Phyllis Jackson Ln., Palm Desert, CA 92260
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palm Desert High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. XAVIER COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 4.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Summit High (Continuation) (rated 5.9/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby La Quinta), a more accessible option. For more schools in Palm Desert, see our Palm Desert schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Palm Desert | 0.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Morning Stars Learning Program Palm Desert | 0.5 mi | — |
| Palm Desert Charter Middle Palm Desert | 0.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Coachella Valley Arts Institute Palm Desert | 0.9 mi | — |
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Palm Desert | 0.9 mi | 3.3 |
| James Earl Carter Elementary Palm Desert | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF THE DESERT Palm Desert | 1.0 mi | — |
| George Washington Charter Palm Desert | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Aleph Schoolhouse Palm Desert | 1.4 mi | — |
| DESERT ADVENTIST SCHOOL Palm Desert | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Desert Adventist School Palm Desert | 1.9 mi | — |
| Gerald R. Ford Elementary Indian Wells | 2.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Ronald Reagan Elementary Palm Desert | 3.0 mi | 5.3 |
| PALM DESERT LEARNING TREE CENTER Palm Desert | 3.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Palm Desert Learning Tree Center Palm Desert | 3.1 mi | — |
| TOT STOP PRESCHOOL Palm Desert | 3.1 mi | — |
| Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle La Quinta | 3.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Horizon La Quinta | 3.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Summit High (Continuation) La Quinta | 3.3 mi | 5.9 |
| XAVIER COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL Palm Desert | 4.1 mi | 6.8 |
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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| Gahr (Richard) High Cerritos, CA | 8.0 |
| Granada High Livermore, CA | 8.0 |
| La Canada High La Canada, CA | 8.0 |
| La Quinta High Westminster, CA | 8.0 |
| Lemoore High Lemoore, CA | 8.0 |
| Lowell High San Francisco, CA | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palm Desert High
What grades does Palm Desert High serve?
Palm Desert High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Palm Desert High?
Palm Desert High has an enrollment of approximately 2,039 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palm Desert High?
The student-teacher ratio at Palm Desert High is 26.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palm Desert High rank in CA?
Palm Desert High is ranked #1314 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Palm Desert High's MySchoolScout rating?
Palm Desert High has a composite rating of 8.0 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palm Desert High has 38.7% math proficiency and 69.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palm Desert High a charter school?
No, Palm Desert High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palm Desert High a Title I school?
No, Palm Desert High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palm Desert High?
59.4% of students at Palm Desert High 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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palm Desert). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,039
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 78
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Riverside County
- Phone
- (760) 862-4300
- 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
- #1 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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