Average
#3970 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 42% 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
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
684
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#3,970 of 9,539
In Cathedral City
#3 of 9
public schools
In district
#9 of 27
Palm Springs Unified
Equity
8.7 / 10
Excellent
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Sunny Sands Elementary
Elementary School in Cathedral City · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
James Workman Middle
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Rancho Mirage High
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Sunny Sands Elementary
Sunny Sands Elementary is a public elementary school in Cathedral City, CA, part of Palm Springs Unified. Sunny Sands Elementary serves approximately 684 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 20.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Sunny Sands Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #3,970 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Sunny Sands Elementary show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.8 · Average
- District avg 5.4
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Sunny Sands Elementary runs 20.7:1 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.
31% of students at Sunny Sands Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Sunny Sands Elementary — Students at Sunny Sands Elementary score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.3/10.
How Sunny Sands Elementary Compares
See how Sunny Sands Elementary 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
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), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ST THERESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Palm Springs), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Della S. Lindley Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Thousand Palms), with a very similar rating. 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 | 5.9 |
| Rancho Mirage High Rancho Mirage | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Cathedral City High Cathedral City | 1.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Mt. San Jacinto High Cathedral City | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Landau Elementary Cathedral City | 1.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Nellie N. Coffman Middle Cathedral City | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Palm Valley School Rancho Mirage | 1.9 mi | — |
| Cathedral City Elementary Cathedral City | 2.3 mi | 5.4 |
| PALM VALLEY SCHOOL Rancho Mirage | 2.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Agua Caliente Elementary Cathedral City | 2.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Rio Vista Elementary Cathedral City | 2.5 mi | 4.7 |
| 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 | 6.2 |
| Della S. Lindley Elementary Thousand Palms | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| 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 | 7.2 |
| Desert Learning Academy Palm Springs | 4.0 mi | 7.1 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Abby Reinke Elementary Temecula, CA | 6.8 |
| Adelante Dual Language Academy San Jose, CA | 6.8 |
| Arthur Hapgood Elementary Lompoc, CA | 6.8 |
| Barranca Elementary Covina, CA | 6.8 |
| Bijou Community South Lake Tahoe, CA | 6.8 |
| Birney Elementary Long Beach, CA | 6.8 |
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 ranks #3,970 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Sunny Sands Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunny Sands Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Sunny Sands Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Sunny Sands Elementary has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.6%
- Phone
- (760) 770-8635
Resources & Links
District
Palm Springs Unified- District Enrollment
- 20,416
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,811
- District Rank
- #9 of 27
Other Schools in This District
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