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Below Average

#8312 of 9,539 schools in CA

Thomas Jefferson Middle

Middle School · Desert Sands Unified

83-089 Highway 111, Indio, CA 92201

Enrollment

535

Student-Teacher

23.3:1

Score

4.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,312 of 9,539

In Indio

#10 of 19

public schools

In district

#20 of 33

Desert Sands Unified

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Thomas Jefferson Middle

4.2/10

Middle School in Indio · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Theodore Roosevelt Elementary

3.8/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Doves Landing School

Nearby

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Thomas Jefferson Middle

Thomas Jefferson Middle is a public middle school in Indio, CA, part of Desert Sands Unified. Thomas Jefferson Middle serves approximately 535 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 23.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas Jefferson Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #8,312 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Thomas Jefferson Middle show 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.2
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Thomas Jefferson Middle runs 23.3:1 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.

36% of students at Thomas Jefferson Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency21.8% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-29.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.1 pts
Overall Proficiency14% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)23% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-9.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,070
Chronic Absenteeism35.5%

Thomas Jefferson Middle — Students at Thomas Jefferson Middle score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 13.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 27.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
34%
ELA
36%
2010
Math
25%
ELA
38%
2011
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
45%
2014
Math
6%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
8%
ELA
26%
2016
Math
7%
ELA
26%
2017
Math
9%
ELA
24%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
4%
ELA
20.5%
2024
Math
5.4%
ELA
21.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.9/10.

How Thomas Jefferson Middle Compares

See how Thomas Jefferson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
13th percentile in CA
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

83-089 Highway 111, Indio, CA 92201

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thomas Jefferson Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Amistad High (Continuation) (rated 7.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cesar Chavez Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Coachella), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Richard R. Oliphant Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Indio, see our Indio schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Theodore Roosevelt Elementary Indio 0.4 mi 3.8
Doves Landing School Indio 0.5 mi
Al Vasquez Learning Center Indio 0.5 mi
Desert Sands A.T.L.A.S. Indio 0.8 mi
Amistad High (Continuation) Indio 0.8 mi 7.4
Martin Van Buren Elementary Indio 1.2 mi 4.4
Andrew Jackson Elementary Indio 1.4 mi 4.3
Dr. Reynaldo J. Carreon Jr. Academy Indio 1.2 mi 4.3
Herbert Hoover Elementary Indio 1.3 mi 2.6
Indio High Indio 1.4 mi 4.8
John F. Kennedy Elementary Indio 1.6 mi 3.3
Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary Indio 1.7 mi 2.7
Richard R. Oliphant Elementary Indio 2.3 mi 6.0
Indio Middle Indio 2.0 mi 3.0
Imagine Schools Riverside County Coachella 2.5 mi 4.7
Cesar Chavez Elementary Coachella 2.4 mi 7.0
James Madison Elementary Indio 2.2 mi 3.2
Mountain Vista Elementary Indio 2.6 mi 5.3
Carrillo Ranch Elementary Indio 2.5 mi 3.7
Coral Mountain Academy Coachella 2.8 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,663

Median Home Value

$372,800

Median Rent

$1,349/mo

Population

66,364

College Educated

16.1%

Homeownership

59.5%

Avg Commute

22.5 min

Poverty Rate

13.2%

Median Age

36.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 12 Los Angeles, CA 4.2
Aspire Benjamin Holt Middle Oakland, CA 4.2
Beardsley Junior High Bakersfield, CA 4.2
Columbia Middle Adelanto, CA 4.2
Crystal Middle Suisun City, CA 4.2
Gustine Middle Gustine, CA 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thomas Jefferson Middle

What grades does Thomas Jefferson Middle serve?

Thomas Jefferson Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Thomas Jefferson Middle?

Thomas Jefferson Middle has an enrollment of approximately 535 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Jefferson Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Jefferson Middle is 23.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thomas Jefferson Middle rank in CA?

Thomas Jefferson Middle ranks #8,312 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Thomas Jefferson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas Jefferson Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Thomas Jefferson Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas Jefferson Middle has 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Thomas Jefferson Middle a charter school?

No, Thomas Jefferson Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Thomas Jefferson Middle a Title I school?

No, Thomas Jefferson Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas Jefferson Middle?

91.6% of students at Thomas Jefferson Middle 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
72 Very Walkable
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
535
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
91.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Riverside County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.5%

District

Desert Sands Unified
District Enrollment
25,898
Schools in District
35
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,070
District Rank
#20 of 33

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