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Elementary Schools in La Quinta, California: 3 schools. Average score 9.4 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.

Below Average2024–25 data3 schools · avg 35.4/100

La Quinta, California has 3 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 35.4/100 — 9.4 points below the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is Benjamin Franklin Elementary at 43/100, where 11.1% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. La Quinta schools average 11.7% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 29.7% (above the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
35.4
State avg: 44.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
14.0
29.0 – 42.9
Avg Exceeded %
11.7%
State avg: 21.3%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
29.7%
State avg: 17.9%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
3
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary3Developing
35.4/100
11.7%-9.4
High2Developing
39.1/100
10.9%-4.6
Middle2Needs Support
28.2/100
8.0%-14.4

How La Quinta schools compare

La Quinta has 3 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 35.4/100 — 9.4 points below the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Benjamin Franklin Elementary with a Scope Score of 43 and 11.1% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in La Quinta averages 29.7% — above the state average of 17.9%.

How we score · Weighted composite of test performance, growth, and school climate · Full weights on the methodology page

For the data nerds

Every school in La Quinta

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1La Quinta High
Desert Sands Unified Building Momentum
19.1%Developing
47/100
2Benjamin Franklin Elementary
Desert Sands Unified Building Momentum
11.1%Developing
43/100
3Harry S. Truman Elementary
Desert Sands Unified Building Momentum
15.8%Developing
34/100
4Summit High (Continuation)
Desert Sands Unified Building Momentum
2.8%Developing
31/100
5La Quinta Middle
Desert Sands Unified Building Momentum
10.5%Needs Support
29/100
6Horizon
Desert Sands Unified Building Momentum
8.3%Needs Support
29/100
7Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle
Desert Sands Unified Building Momentum
5.4%Needs Support
27/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 7 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools

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.

Private Schools in La Quinta

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

La Quinta Christian Fellowship
Presbyterian · Grades Pre-K-8 · 24 students
6:1Private
What Scope Scores can't tell you about La Quinta

Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in La Quinta good?
La Quinta's 3 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 35.4/100, which is 9.4 points below the state average. 11.7% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.3%). The Scope Score weights 6 dimensions for elementary schools: exceeded standard (38%), grade 3-to-5 growth (27%), met or exceeded (proficient) (20%), chronic absenteeism (5%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC English Learner proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in La Quinta?
The highest-scoring elementary school in La Quinta is Benjamin Franklin Elementary with a Scope Score of 43/100 and 11.1% 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 La Quinta schools compare to the state average?
La Quinta elementary schools average a Scope Score of 35.4/100 — 9.4 points below the state average of 44.8. The exceeded rate averages 11.7% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 29.7% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in La Quinta?
La Quinta has 3 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 seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline 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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