Skip to main content

Very Good

#1559 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 16% in state

Sunny Sands Elementary

Elementary School · Palm Springs Unified

69-310 McCallum Way, Cathedral City, CA 92234

Enrollment

684

Student-Teacher

20.7:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cathedral City

#2 of 9

public schools

California elementary schools

#1,095 of 5,817

In district

#2 of 27

Palm Springs Unified

Equity

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Sunny Sands Elementary

Sunny Sands Elementary serves 684 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Cathedral City, California. With 33 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.7:1, providing a manageable classroom environment for elementary learners. The school has earned a solid 7.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks in the 72nd percentile among California elementary schools, placing it at #2682 out of 9,566 schools statewide.

Academically, Sunny Sands shows steady performance with 47% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 40% meeting standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's ongoing efforts to support student achievement across core subjects. The school draws from a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $63,209 and median home values reach $381,800.

About 26% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 17.3% of families experience poverty, creating a varied socioeconomic landscape that brings different perspectives to the classroom. Sunny Sands Elementary operates as a regular public school in Cathedral City's large suburban setting in Riverside County, serving families throughout the 92234 ZIP code area with a population of nearly 52,000 residents.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Sunny Sands Elementary is 20.7:1, 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.9%
Math vs. State Avg-5.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.1 pts
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected+22.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,524

Sunny Sands Elementary — Students at Sunny Sands Elementary score 43% 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 40.5%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 46.7%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 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
43%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
39.9%
ELA
46.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.5/10.

How Sunny Sands Elementary Compares

See how Sunny Sands Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
84th percentile in CA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

69-310 McCallum Way, Cathedral City, CA 92234

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sunny Sands Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PALM SPRINGS (rated 7.5/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Palm Springs), with a comparable rating. Another option is ST THERESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Palm Springs), a more accessible option. Additionally, Agua Caliente Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 2.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cathedral City, see our Cathedral City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
James Workman Middle Cathedral City 0.5 mi 6.0
Rancho Mirage High Rancho Mirage 1.1 mi 6.6
Cathedral City High Cathedral City 1.4 mi 8.8
Mt. San Jacinto High Cathedral City 1.2 mi 5.9
Landau Elementary Cathedral City 1.3 mi 6.3
Nellie N. Coffman Middle Cathedral City 1.9 mi 6.2
Palm Valley School Rancho Mirage 1.9 mi
Cathedral City Elementary Cathedral City 2.3 mi 5.3
PALM VALLEY SCHOOL Rancho Mirage 2.3 mi 7.1
Agua Caliente Elementary Cathedral City 2.1 mi 6.6
Rio Vista Elementary Cathedral City 2.5 mi 5.4
Virtual Pre Palm Springs 2.3 mi
King's Schools of the Desert Palm Springs 2.6 mi
KING'S SCHOOLS OF THE DESERT Palm Springs 2.6 mi 5.6
Cielo Vista Charter Palm Springs 2.8 mi 6.4
Della S. Lindley Elementary Thousand Palms 3.2 mi 4.9
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PALM SPRINGS Palm Springs 3.3 mi 7.5
ST THERESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Springs 3.6 mi 6.7
Palm Springs High Palm Springs 3.9 mi 7.0
Desert Learning Academy Palm Springs 4.0 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92234 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,031

Median Home Value

$420,700

Median Rent

$1,554/mo

Population

52,047

College Educated

25.8%

Homeownership

65.3%

Avg Commute

20 min

Poverty Rate

15.3%

Median Age

40.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sunny Sands Elementary has a median household income of $67,031. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $420,700, with a median rent of $1,554/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.3%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Ayer Elementary Fresno, CA 7.9
Birney Elementary Redondo Beach, CA 7.9
Boulder Creek Elementary Redding, CA 7.9
Captain Leland Norton Elementary San Bernardino, CA 7.9
Carroll Elementary Elk Grove, CA 7.9
Carver (Charles J.) Elementary Cerritos, CA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sunny Sands Elementary

What grades does Sunny Sands Elementary serve?

Sunny Sands Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Sunny Sands Elementary?

Sunny Sands Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 684 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunny Sands Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Sunny Sands Elementary is 20.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sunny Sands Elementary rank in CA?

Sunny Sands Elementary is ranked #1559 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Sunny Sands Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sunny Sands Elementary has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Sunny Sands Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sunny Sands Elementary has 40.5% math proficiency and 46.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sunny Sands Elementary a charter school?

No, Sunny Sands Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sunny Sands Elementary a Title I school?

No, Sunny Sands Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sunny Sands Elementary?

95.0% of students at Sunny Sands Elementary 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
52 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
56 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,532/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
684
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
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
#2 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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.