Item: Desert Sands Unified School District
Rating: 5
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Desert Sands Unified School District

47-950 Dune Palms Rd.
La Quinta, CA 92253-4000

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (760) 777-4200

Top Rankings

Desert Sands Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:

Overview

This School District

This State (CA)

# Schools

35 Schools

3,496 Schools

# Students

25,897 Students

1,854,189 Students

# Teachers

1,090 Teachers

87,800 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

24:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Desert Sands Unified School District	California
Kind	8	44
1	13	34
2	18	36
3	8	36
4	11	37
5	15	40
6	1,908	141
7	2,049	214
8	1,978	215
9	30	29
10	59	25
11	59	25
12	72	27

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District Rank

Desert Sands Unified School District, which is ranked #1079 of all 1,908 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 94% has increased from 90% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (CA)

#1043 out of 1932 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Desert Sands Unified School District
2023	#1043
2022	#1068
2021	#451
2019	#901
2018	#487
2017	#428
2016	#441
2015	#492
2014	#226
2013	#346
2012	#349

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26%

34%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Desert Sands Unified School District	California
2023	26%	34%
2022	25%	33%
2021	31%	34%
2019	35%	40%
2018	34%	39%
2017	35%	38%
2016	33%	37%
2015	29%	34%
2014	68%	63%
2013	64%	59%
2012	64%	59%

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40%

47%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Desert Sands Unified School District	California
2022	40%	47%
2021	56%	49%
2019	49%	51%
2018	34%	50%
2017	49%	48%
2016	49%	48%
2015	45%	44%
2014	63%	58%
2013	60%	57%
2012	61%	58%
2011	58%	56%

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24%

29%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Desert Sands Unified School District	California
2022	24%	29%
2021	26%	28%

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94%

87%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Desert Sands Unified School District	California
2023	94%	87%
2022	94%	87%
2021	93%	84%
2020	91%	85%
2019	90%	84%
2018	90%	84%
2017	89%	83%
2016	91%	83%
2015	89%	89%
2014	88%	88%
2013	86%	87%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.40

0.64

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Desert Sands Unified School District	California
2023	0.40	0.64
2022	0.41	0.63
2021	0.41	0.62
2020	0.42	0.63
2019	0.42	0.63
2018	0.42	0.64
2017	0.42	0.64
2016	0.42	0.64
2015	0.46	0.64
2014	0.44	0.65
2013	0.45	0.65
2012	0.46	0.65
2011	0.46	0.67
2010	0.48	0.67
2009	0.50	0.71
2008	0.48	0.65
2007	0.49	0.67
2006	0.50	0.66
2005	0.50	0.67
2004	0.50	0.67
2003	0.50	0.67
2002	0.50	0.67
2001	0.50	0.67
2000	0.51	0.67
1999	0.51	0.67
1998	0.52	0.67
1997	0.52	0.67
1996	0.53	0.67
1995	0.53	0.67
1994	0.53	0.67
1993	0.54	0.67
1992	0.55	0.67
1991	0.54	0.67

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% American Indian

n/a

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2007)
Year	Desert Sands Unified School District	California
2007	1%	2%
2006	2%	1%
2005	2%	2%
2004	2%	2%
1998	1%	1%
1997	1%	1%
1996	1%	1%
1995	1%	1%
1994	1%	1%
1993	1%	1%
1992	2%	1%
1991	1%	1%
1990	1%	1%
1989	1%	1%
1988	2%	1%

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% Asian

11%

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Unified School District	California
2023	4%	12%
2022	3%	12%
2021	4%	12%
2020	4%	12%
2019	4%	12%
2018	4%	11%
2017	4%	11%
2016	3%	11%
2015	5%	11%
2014	3%	11%
2013	3%	11%
2012	4%	11%
2011	4%	11%
2010	3%	11%
2009	3%	11%
2008	3%	12%
2007	3%	12%
2006	3%	12%
2005	3%	12%
2004	2%	12%
2003	3%	11%
2002	2%	11%
2001	3%	11%
2000	3%	11%
1999	3%	11%
1998	2%	11%
1997	2%	11%
1996	2%	11%
1995	2%	11%
1994	2%	11%
1993	2%	11%
1992	1%	11%
1991	1%	11%

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% Hispanic

76%

55%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Unified School District	California
2023	76%	55%
2022	75%	56%
2021	74%	56%
2020	73%	55%
2019	73%	55%
2018	74%	54%
2017	74%	54%
2016	74%	54%
2015	65%	54%
2014	72%	53%
2013	71%	53%
2012	70%	52%
2011	69%	51%
2010	68%	50%
2009	66%	49%
2008	67%	50%
2007	65%	49%
2006	64%	48%
2005	63%	47%
2004	63%	46%
2003	64%	45%
2002	64%	44%
2001	63%	43%
2000	62%	42%
1999	61%	41%
1998	60%	40%
1997	59%	40%
1996	58%	39%
1995	58%	38%
1994	57%	37%
1993	56%	36%
1992	55%	35%
1991	56%	34%

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% Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Unified School District	California
2023	1%	5%
2022	2%	5%
2021	2%	5%
2020	2%	5%
2019	2%	5%
2018	1%	6%
2017	1%	6%
2016	2%	6%
2015	3%	6%
2014	2%	6%
2013	2%	6%
2012	2%	6%
2011	2%	7%
2010	2%	7%
2009	2%	7%
2008	2%	8%
2007	3%	8%
2006	3%	8%
2005	3%	8%
2004	3%	8%
2003	2%	8%
2002	2%	8%
2001	2%	8%
2000	2%	9%
1999	2%	9%
1998	3%	9%
1997	2%	9%
1996	2%	9%
1995	2%	9%
1994	2%	9%
1993	3%	9%
1992	2%	9%
1991	3%	9%

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% White

15%

22%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Unified School District	California
2023	15%	21%
2022	16%	21%
2021	16%	22%
2020	18%	23%
2019	18%	23%
2018	19%	24%
2017	19%	24%
2016	20%	24%
2015	23%	24%
2014	22%	25%
2013	23%	25%
2012	23%	26%
2011	24%	27%
2010	26%	27%
2009	26%	28%
2008	28%	29%
2007	28%	29%
2006	28%	31%
2005	29%	31%
2004	30%	32%
2003	31%	34%
2002	32%	35%
2001	32%	36%
2000	33%	37%
1999	34%	38%
1998	34%	39%
1997	36%	39%
1996	37%	40%
1995	37%	41%
1994	38%	42%
1993	38%	43%
1992	40%	44%
1991	39%	45%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2009-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Unified School District	California
2023	4%	6%
2022	4%	5%
2021	4%	5%
2020	3%	4%
2019	3%	4%
2018	2%	4%
2017	2%	4%
2016	1%	4%
2015	4%	3%
2014	1%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2012	1%	3%
2011	1%	2%
2010	1%	3%
2009	3%	3%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $18,465 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has grown by 17% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $16,703 is less than the state median of $18,395. The school district spending/student has grown by 9% over four school years.

This School District

This State (CA)

Total Revenue

$478 MM

$116,387 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Desert Sands Unified School District	California
2023	$478 MM	$8 MM
2022	$438 MM	$7 MM
2021	$478 MM	$8 MM
2020	$438 MM	$7 MM
2019	$454 MM	$7 MM
2018	$421 MM	$29 MM
2017	$418 MM	$26 MM
2016	$409 MM	$24 MM
2015	$288 MM	$17 MM
2014	$319 MM	$21 MM
2012	$311 MM	$19 MM
2011	$366 MM	$19 MM
2010	$288 MM	$17 MM
2009	$313 MM	$19 MM
2008	$335 MM	$19 MM
2007	$308 MM	$19 MM
2006	$297 MM	$17 MM
2005	$262 MM	$16 MM
2004	$294 MM	$16 MM
2003	$231 MM	$16 MM
2002	$201 MM	$15 MM
2001	$205 MM	$15 MM
2000	$164 MM	$13 MM
1999	$152 MM	$12 MM
1998	$138 MM	$11 MM
1997	$119 MM	$10 MM
1996	$111 MM	$9 MM
1995	$99 MM	$8 MM

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Spending

$433 MM

$107,188 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Desert Sands Unified School District	California
2023	$433 MM	$7 MM
2022	$428 MM	$7 MM
2021	$433 MM	$7 MM
2020	$428 MM	$7 MM
2019	$410 MM	$7 MM
2018	$432 MM	$29 MM
2017	$404 MM	$24 MM
2016	$387 MM	$23 MM
2015	$337 MM	$18 MM
2014	$342 MM	$21 MM
2012	$323 MM	$19 MM
2011	$308 MM	$19 MM
2010	$337 MM	$18 MM
2009	$353 MM	$18 MM
2008	$367 MM	$19 MM
2007	$325 MM	$18 MM
2006	$306 MM	$17 MM
2005	$285 MM	$16 MM
2004	$264 MM	$17 MM
2003	$227 MM	$15 MM
2002	$199 MM	$16 MM
2001	$190 MM	$14 MM
2000	$151 MM	$13 MM
1999	$130 MM	$11 MM
1998	$129 MM	$11 MM
1997	$108 MM	$10 MM
1996	$119 MM	$8 MM
1995	$105 MM	$8 MM

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Revenue / Student

$18,465

$19,974

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Desert Sands Unified School District	California
2023	$18,127	$15,607
2022	$15,672	$14,213
2021	$17,723	$15,669
2020	$15,672	$14,213
2019	$15,854	$14,063
2018	$14,660	$16,033
2017	$14,425	$16,692
2016	$14,233	$15,604
2015	$9,936	$10,238
2014	$10,953	$11,786
2012	$10,654	$11,929
2011	$12,563	$11,681
2010	$9,826	$10,238
2009	$10,806	$11,099
2008	$11,648	$11,762
2007	$10,892	$11,879
2006	$10,786	$10,859
2005	$9,700	$10,445
2004	$11,259	$10,566
2003	$9,166	$10,456
2002	$8,190	$9,803
2001	$8,713	$10,568
2000	$7,192	$8,943
1999	$6,894	$8,203
1998	$6,553	$7,395
1997	$5,833	$6,922
1995	$5,314	$5,953
1992	$5,762	$5,430

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Spending / Student

$16,703

$18,395

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Desert Sands Unified School District	California
2023	$16,398	$13,914
2022	$15,290	$13,602
2021	$16,033	$13,970
2020	$15,290	$13,602
2019	$14,340	$13,522
2018	$15,042	$16,124
2017	$13,946	$15,588
2016	$13,470	$14,779
2015	$11,608	$10,739
2014	$11,741	$11,804
2012	$11,078	$12,155
2011	$10,588	$11,509
2010	$11,480	$10,739
2009	$12,177	$10,975
2008	$12,768	$11,678
2007	$11,491	$11,317
2006	$11,114	$10,926
2005	$10,542	$10,789
2004	$10,112	$11,073
2003	$9,011	$10,210
2002	$8,083	$10,600
2001	$8,096	$10,007
2000	$6,632	$9,131
1999	$5,877	$7,911
1998	$6,107	$7,592
1997	$5,301	$6,759
1995	$5,612	$6,033
1992	$5,912	$5,588

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Best Desert Sands Unified School District Public Middle Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Palm Desert Charter Middle School

Charter School

(Math: 38% | Reading: 60%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

74-200 Rutledge Way
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 862-4320

Gr: 6-8 | 1,389 student Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 66%

Rank: #22.

John Glenn Middle School Of International Studies

(Math: 33% | Reading: 43%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

79-655 Miles Ave.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 200-3700

Gr: 6-8 | 1,065 student Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 82%

Rank: #33.

La Quinta Middle School

(Math: 23% | Reading: 37%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

78-900 Avenue 50
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 777-4220

Gr: 6-8 | 688 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 85%

Rank: #44.

Horizon

Alternative School

(Math: 23% | Reading: 32%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

43-330 Palm Royale Dr.
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 238-9720

Gr: K-12 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 84%

Rank: #55.

Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School

(Math: 17% | Reading: 38%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

43-495 Palm Royale Dr.
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 238-9710

Gr: 6-8 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 84%

Rank: #66.

Desert Ridge Academy

(Math: 14% | Reading: 29%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

79-767 Avenue 39
Indio, CA 92203
(760) 393-5500

Gr: 6-8 | 1,018 student Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 92%

Rank: #77.

Indio Middle School

(Math: 9% | Reading: 21%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

81-195 Miles Ave.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3800

Gr: 6-8 | 780 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 97%

Rank: #88.

Thomas Jefferson Middle School

(Math: 6% | Reading: 20%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

83-089 Highway 111
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 863-3660

Gr: 6-8 | 535 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 97%

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 35 schools
Grades: K-12
Enrollment: 25,897 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1
Minority Enrollment: 85%
: 94% (Top 10% in CA)
: Bottom 50%
: 26% (Btm 50%)
: 40% (Btm 50%)
: 24% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education