Very Good
#414 of 1,790 private schools in CA
Top 23% of private schools
Palm Valley School
School
35525 DA VALL DR, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on CA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
241
Student-Teacher
9.2:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
241
Student-Teacher
9.2:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
California schools
#92 of 366
About Palm Valley School
Palm Valley School serves 241 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in Rancho Mirage, offering a comprehensive educational experience with an exceptional 9.2:1 student-teacher ratio. With 26 full-time equivalent teachers, this regular public school provides notably small class sizes that allow for individualized attention and strong teacher-student relationships. The school has earned impressive recognition, receiving a 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #125 out of 1,790 schools statewide, placing it in the 93rd percentile among California schools.
This outstanding performance reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence across all grade levels, from early childhood through high school. Palm Valley School's student body benefits from being part of an affluent and educated community. The surrounding ZIP code has a median household income of $105,557 and a median home value of $690,100, with 46% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 11.0%, contributing to a stable learning environment. Located in the large suburban community of Rancho Mirage in Riverside County, Palm Valley School serves families in this desert resort city known for its well-established neighborhoods and family-friendly atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, Palm Valley School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Palm Valley School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $32,633
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $29,156
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 0.89x — At Risk
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 95%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $13.6M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 241 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Palm Valley School compares to the 2 public schools in Rancho Mirage, CA
Student Demographics
All Schools in Rancho Mirage
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Palm Valley School (this school) | 7.1 |
| Rancho Mirage High | 6.6 |
| Rancho Mirage Elementary | 6.8 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in CA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in CA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
35525 DA VALL DR, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palm Valley School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Cathedral City High (rated 8.8/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Cathedral City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sunny Sands Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Cathedral City), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rancho Mirage Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 3.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Rancho Mirage, see our Rancho Mirage schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Palm Valley School Rancho Mirage | 0.5 mi | — |
| Nellie N. Coffman Middle Cathedral City | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Cathedral City Elementary Cathedral City | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Cathedral City High Cathedral City | 1.0 mi | 8.8 |
| Rancho Mirage High Rancho Mirage | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Sunny Sands Elementary Cathedral City | 2.3 mi | 7.9 |
| KING'S SCHOOLS OF THE DESERT Palm Springs | 2.2 mi | 5.6 |
| King's Schools of the Desert Palm Springs | 2.2 mi | — |
| James Workman Middle Cathedral City | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Mt. San Jacinto High Cathedral City | 2.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Landau Elementary Cathedral City | 3.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Della S. Lindley Elementary Thousand Palms | 3.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Rancho Mirage Elementary Rancho Mirage | 3.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Agua Caliente Elementary Cathedral City | 3.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Virtual Pre Palm Springs | 3.7 mi | — |
| Cielo Vista Charter Palm Springs | 3.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Rio Vista Elementary Cathedral City | 4.8 mi | 5.4 |
| ST THERESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Springs | 4.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Desert Adventist School Palm Desert | 4.7 mi | — |
| DESERT ADVENTIST SCHOOL Palm Desert | 4.7 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92270 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$109,943
Median Home Value
$747,800
Median Rent
$1,575/mo
Population
17,375
College Educated
46.5%
Homeownership
82.1%
Avg Commute
25.7 min
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Median Age
65
Community Profile
The community surrounding Palm Valley School has a median household income of $109,943. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $747,800, with a median rent of $1,575/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Davis School for Independent Study Davis, CA | 7.1 |
| ORANGE CRESCENT SCHOOL Garden Grove, CA | 7.1 |
| STERNE SCHOOL San Francisco, CA | 7.1 |
| Wilson Alternative Santa Clara, CA | 7.1 |
| Yuba County Career Preparatory Charter Marysville, CA | 7.1 |
| APOSTLES LUTHERAN SCHOOL San Jose, CA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palm Valley School
What grades does Palm Valley School serve?
Palm Valley School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Palm Valley School?
Palm Valley School has an enrollment of approximately 241 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palm Valley School?
The student-teacher ratio at Palm Valley School is 9.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Palm Valley School rank in CA?
Palm Valley School is ranked #414 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.
What is Palm Valley School's MySchoolScout rating?
Palm Valley School has a composite rating of 7.1 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.
Is Palm Valley School a private school?
Yes, Palm Valley School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Palm Valley School a religious school?
No, Palm Valley School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rancho Mirage). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 241
- Gender Split
- 80% M / 20% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 175 days
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- RIVERSIDE
- Phone
- (760) 328-0861
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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