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Elementary Schools in Cathedral City, California

Below Average2024–25 data9 schools · avg 36.6/100

Cathedral City, California has 9 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 36.6/100 — 7.2 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Sunny Sands Elementary at 48/100, where 19.9% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Cathedral City schools average 11.4% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 26.4% (above the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
36.6
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
21.3
26.3 – 47.6
Avg Exceeded %
11.4%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
26.4%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
9
With Scope Scores

How Cathedral City schools compare

Cathedral City's 9 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 36.6 — 7.2 points below the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 26.3 to 47.6, a 21.3-point spread.

The top-ranked school is Sunny Sands Elementary with a Scope Score of 48 and 19.9% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in Cathedral City averages 26.4%, which is below the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Scope Score weights exceeded (40%), met (22%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), suspension (5%), ELPAC (5%), baseline (3%)

School archetypes in Cathedral City

2 Culture First7 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

Schools in Cathedral City ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolExceededScore
1Sunny Sands Elementary
Palm Springs Unified Culture First
19.9%Developing
48/100
2Cathedral City High
Palm Springs Unified Building Momentum
10.9%Developing
47/100
3Rio Vista Elementary
Palm Springs Unified Building Momentum
18.7%Developing
41/100
4Landau Elementary
Palm Springs Unified Building Momentum
15.0%Developing
36/100
5Cathedral City Elementary
Palm Springs Unified Culture First
7.3%Developing
36/100
6Agua Caliente Elementary
Palm Springs Unified Building Momentum
7.8%Developing
34/100
7James Workman Middle
Palm Springs Unified Building Momentum
13.3%Developing
34/100
8Mt. San Jacinto High
Palm Springs Unified Building Momentum
3.1%Needs Support
27/100
9Nellie N. Coffman Middle
Palm Springs Unified Building Momentum
6.8%Needs Support
26/100

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Cathedral City

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Cathedral City good?
Cathedral City's 9 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 36.6/100, which is 7.2 points below the California state average of 43.8. 11.4% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Cathedral City?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Cathedral City is Sunny Sands Elementary with a Scope Score of 48/100 and 19.9% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Cathedral City schools compare to the state average?
Cathedral City elementary schools average a Scope Score of 36.6 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (7.2 points below). The exceeded rate averages 11.4% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 26.4% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 26.3 to 47.6, a 21.3-point spread.
How many schools are in Cathedral City?
Cathedral City has 9 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.

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