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Average

#6379 of 9,533 schools in CA

Palmdale High

High School · Antelope Valley Union High

2137 East Avenue R, Palmdale, CA 93550

Enrollment

2,358

Student-Teacher

22.7:1

Score

5.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Palmdale

#19 of 43

public schools

California high schools

#1,368 of 1,892

In district

#8 of 13

Antelope Valley Union High

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Palmdale High

Palmdale High serves 2,358 students in grades 9-12 in Palmdale, California, operating as a regular public school with 104 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 22.7:1. The school is working to support student achievement, with current academic performance showing room for growth. About 31% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts, while 5% reach proficiency in mathematics across grade levels.

Located in Los Angeles County, the school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 out of 10 and ranks in the 9th percentile among California high schools. With such a large student body, Palmdale High represents a significant educational institution in the region, focusing on serving its diverse community of learners. The school draws from the surrounding 93550 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $61,394 and median home value reaches $345,200.

This community of over 81,000 residents includes families at various economic levels, with about 20% experiencing poverty and 9% holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Palmdale High sits in this large suburban setting, providing comprehensive high school education to students from varied backgrounds in the Antelope Valley region of Los Angeles County.

What Parents Should Know

Palmdale High is a large school with 2,358 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.

While current test scores at Palmdale High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Palmdale High is 22.7:1, 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 Progress8.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.3Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.2%
Math vs. State Avg-22.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.7 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-14.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College Readiness4.8Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation19.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.0Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,701

Palmdale High — Students at Palmdale High score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 5.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 30.1%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
6%
ELA
28%
2024
Math
5.3%
ELA
31.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.

How Palmdale High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
33th percentile in CA
Academic
3.3/10
3.3/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
104 teachers

Location

2137 East Avenue R, Palmdale, CA 93550

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Palmdale High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Barrel Springs Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Palmdale Academy Charter (rated 7.1/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cactus Medical Health and Technology Magnet Academy (rated 6.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Palmdale, see our Palmdale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Space Aeronautics Gateway to Exploration Magnet Academy Palmdale 0.2 mi 5.2
Desert Rose Elementary Palmdale 0.6 mi 4.1
Tamarisk Elementary Palmdale 0.7 mi 6.4
Il Giardino Montessori Palmdale 0.8 mi
St. Mary Elementary Catholic Palmdale 0.8 mi
Cactus Medical Health and Technology Magnet Academy Palmdale 1.2 mi 6.7
Palmdale Aerospace Academy Palmdale 1.2 mi 4.5
Tumbleweed Elementary Palmdale 1.2 mi 5.6
Oak Tree Community Day Palmdale 1.3 mi 6.1
Manzanita Elementary Palmdale 1.3 mi 6.5
Shepherd Christian School Palmdale 1.5 mi
Joshua Hills Elementary Palmdale 1.7 mi 4.2
Palmdale Academy Charter Palmdale 1.6 mi 7.1
Desert Willow Fine Arts Sci and Tech Magnet Acad Palmdale 2.0 mi 5.8
Innovations Academy of Palmdale Palmdale 1.9 mi 4.3
R. Rex Parris High Palmdale 2.0 mi 4.5
Palm Tree Elementary Palmdale 2.0 mi 6.6
Mesquite Elementary Palmdale 2.2 mi 4.2
Barrel Springs Elementary Palmdale 2.5 mi 7.4
Yucca Elementary Palmdale 2.3 mi 3.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93550 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,811

Median Home Value

$378,700

Median Rent

$1,573/mo

Population

79,929

College Educated

10%

Homeownership

52.8%

Avg Commute

42.2 min

Poverty Rate

19.7%

Median Age

31.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Palmdale High has a median household income of $63,811. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $378,700, with a median rent of $1,573/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.7%. The average commute in the area is 42 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Anaheim High Anaheim, CA 5.6
Florin High Sacramento, CA 5.6
Franklin High Elk Grove, CA 5.6
Granite Hills High Apple Valley, CA 5.6
Grant Union High Sacramento, CA 5.6
Hillcrest High Riverside, CA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Palmdale High

What grades does Palmdale High serve?

Palmdale High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Palmdale High?

Palmdale High has an enrollment of approximately 2,358 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Palmdale High?

The student-teacher ratio at Palmdale High is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Palmdale High rank in CA?

Palmdale High is ranked #6379 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Palmdale High's MySchoolScout rating?

Palmdale High has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Palmdale High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palmdale High has 5.5% math proficiency and 30.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Palmdale High a charter school?

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

Is Palmdale High a Title I school?

No, Palmdale High is not currently a Title I school.

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

73.8% of students at Palmdale 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
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,441/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,358
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
104
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Antelope Valley Union High
District Enrollment
21,737
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,984
District Rank
#8 of 13

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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