Average
#3671 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 39% 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
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,039
Student-Teacher
26.1:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#3,671 of 9,539
In Palm Desert
#1 of 6
public schools
In district
#3 of 33
Desert Sands Unified
Equity
8.9 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Palm Desert High?
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Palm Desert High
High School in Palm Desert · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Sacred Heart School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Morning Stars Learning Program
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Palm Desert High
Palm Desert High is a public high school in Palm Desert, CA, part of Desert Sands Unified. Palm Desert High serves approximately 2,039 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 26.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Palm Desert High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #3,671 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Palm Desert High show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.9 · Average
- District avg 6.0
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Palm Desert High is a large school: 2,039 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.
Palm Desert High runs 26.1:1 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.
32% of students at Palm Desert High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View 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 30 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: 6.2/10.
How Palm Desert High Compares
See how Palm Desert High 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
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), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Summit High (Continuation) (rated 5.7/10, 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 | 5.9 |
| Coachella Valley Arts Institute Palm Desert | 0.9 mi | — |
| Abraham Lincoln Elementary Palm Desert | 0.9 mi | 3.2 |
| James Earl Carter Elementary Palm Desert | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF THE DESERT Palm Desert | 1.0 mi | — |
| George Washington Charter Palm Desert | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| 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 | 5.1 |
| Ronald Reagan Elementary Palm Desert | 3.0 mi | 5.7 |
| 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 | 3.0 |
| Horizon La Quinta | 3.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Summit High (Continuation) La Quinta | 3.3 mi | 5.7 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bloomington High Bloomington, CA | 6.9 |
| Brea Olinda High Brea, CA | 6.9 |
| Central Union High El Centro, CA | 6.9 |
| Diamond Ranch High Pomona, CA | 6.9 |
| Don Antonio Lugo High Chino, CA | 6.9 |
| Fullerton Union High Fullerton, CA | 6.9 |
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 ranks #3,671 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Palm Desert High's MySchoolScout rating?
Palm Desert High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Palm Desert High has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.2%
- Phone
- (760) 862-4300
- 4-Year Graduation
- 97.0%
Resources & Links
District
Desert Sands Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,898
- Schools in District
- 35
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,070
- District Rank
- #3 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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