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Very Good

#3362 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 35% in state

Palm Springs High

High School · Palm Springs Unified

2401 East Baristo Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92262

Enrollment

1,508

Student-Teacher

21.5:1

Score

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Palm Springs

#2 of 8

public schools

California high schools

#631 of 1,892

In district

#5 of 27

Palm Springs Unified

Equity

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Palm Springs High

Palm Springs High serves 1,508 students in grades 9-12 in Palm Springs, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 21.5:1 across 70 full-time equivalent teachers. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks in the 58th percentile among California high schools, placing it at #4047 out of 9566 schools statewide. Academically, Palm Springs High shows solid performance in English Language Arts, with 52% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.

Mathematics presents an area with significant room for growth, as 21% of students demonstrate proficiency or above. The school's academic score of 5.7 out of 10 reflects these mixed results, indicating ongoing efforts to strengthen student achievement across all subject areas. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $63,710 and 41% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

With a median home value of $540,600, the area reflects the broader Palm Springs housing market. The neighborhood maintains a poverty rate of 16.5% among its 25,856 residents. Palm Springs High is situated in a large suburban setting in Riverside County, serving families in this well-known desert resort community known for its warm climate and distinctive mid-century architecture.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Palm Springs High is 21.5:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.4%
Math vs. State Avg-7.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.5 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected+16.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
College Readiness8.5Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation24.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,524

Palm Springs High — Students at Palm Springs High score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 26.1%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 54.2%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 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
33%
ELA
61%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
51%
2024
Math
20.7%
ELA
52.4%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Palm Springs High Compares

See how Palm Springs High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
65th percentile in CA
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
7.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
70 teachers

Location

2401 East Baristo Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92262

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Palm Springs High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cathedral City High (rated 8.8/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Cathedral City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mt. San Jacinto High (rated 5.9/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Cathedral City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Palm Springs, see our Palm Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Desert Learning Academy Palm Springs 0.1 mi 5.8
ST THERESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Springs 0.3 mi 6.7
Desert Chapel Christian Palm Springs 0.5 mi
Cahuilla Elementary Palm Springs 1.2 mi 5.5
Cielo Vista Charter Palm Springs 1.2 mi 6.4
Katherine Finchy Elementary Palm Springs 1.6 mi 5.6
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PALM SPRINGS Palm Springs 1.8 mi 7.5
Virtual Pre Palm Springs 1.6 mi
Raymond Cree Middle Palm Springs 2.0 mi 7.5
Agua Caliente Elementary Cathedral City 1.9 mi 6.6
Vista del Monte Elementary Palm Springs 2.8 mi 4.3
Mt. San Jacinto High Cathedral City 2.7 mi 5.9
King's Schools of the Desert Palm Springs 2.8 mi
KING'S SCHOOLS OF THE DESERT Palm Springs 2.9 mi 5.6
Landau Elementary Cathedral City 2.8 mi 6.3
Rio Vista Elementary Cathedral City 3.3 mi 5.4
Sunny Sands Elementary Cathedral City 3.9 mi 7.9
James Workman Middle Cathedral City 4.0 mi 6.0
Cathedral City High Cathedral City 4.2 mi 8.8
Cathedral City Elementary Cathedral City 4.3 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92262 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,514

Median Home Value

$600,600

Median Rent

$1,420/mo

Population

26,064

College Educated

41.7%

Homeownership

63%

Avg Commute

22.9 min

Poverty Rate

15.9%

Median Age

54.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Palm Springs High has a median household income of $70,514. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $600,600, with a median rent of $1,420/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.9%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Andrew P. Hill High San Jose, CA 7.0
Antelope Valley High Lancaster, CA 7.0
Arroyo High San Lorenzo, CA 7.0
Atascadero High Atascadero, CA 7.0
El Monte High El Monte, CA 7.0
Elk Grove High Elk Grove, CA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Palm Springs High

What grades does Palm Springs High serve?

Palm Springs High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Palm Springs High?

Palm Springs High has an enrollment of approximately 1,508 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Palm Springs High?

The student-teacher ratio at Palm Springs High is 21.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Palm Springs High rank in CA?

Palm Springs High is ranked #3362 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Palm Springs High's MySchoolScout rating?

Palm Springs High has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Springs High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palm Springs High has 26.1% math proficiency and 54.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Palm Springs High a charter school?

No, Palm Springs High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Palm Springs High a Title I school?

No, Palm Springs High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palm Springs High?

95.0% of students at Palm Springs 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
47 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
52 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,837/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,508
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
70
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Riverside County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Palm Springs Unified
District Enrollment
20,416
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,811
District Rank
#5 of 27

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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