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Elementary Schools in Palm Desert, California

Near Average2024–25 data6 schools · avg 48.2/100

Palm Desert, California has 6 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 48.2/100 — 4.5 points above the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Palm Desert High at 63/100, where 23.1% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Palm Desert schools average 24.3% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 21.2% (above the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
48.2
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
28.6
34.2 – 62.8
Avg Exceeded %
24.3%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
21.2%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
6
With Scope Scores

How Palm Desert schools compare

Palm Desert's 6 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 48.2 — 4.5 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 34.2 to 62.8, a 28.6-point spread.

The top-ranked school is Palm Desert High with a Scope Score of 63 and 23.1% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in Palm Desert averages 21.2%, 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 Palm Desert

1 Strong All-Around5 Building Momentum

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

Schools in Palm Desert ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolExceededScore
1Palm Desert High
Desert Sands Unified Building Momentum
23.1%Solid
63/100
2George Washington Charter
Desert Sands Unified Strong All-Around
37.9%Solid
60/100
3James Earl Carter Elementary
Desert Sands Unified Building Momentum
30.9%Developing
48/100
4Palm Desert Charter Middle
Desert Sands Unified Building Momentum
22.5%Developing
44/100
5Ronald Reagan Elementary
Desert Sands Unified Building Momentum
19.9%Developing
40/100
6Abraham Lincoln Elementary
Desert Sands Unified Building Momentum
11.6%Developing
34/100

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.

Private Schools in Palm Desert

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.

Xavier College Preparatory High School
Roman Catholic · Grades 9-12 · 559 students
10:1Private
Sacred Heart School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 546 students
16:1Private
Palm Desert Learning Tree Center
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-5 · 130 students
17:1Private
Desert Adventist School
Pentecostal · Grades Pre-K-8 · 31 students
15:1Private
Montessori School of the Desert
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-4 · 12 students
8:1Private

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Palm Desert

  • 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 Palm Desert good?
Palm Desert's 6 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 48.2/100, which is 4.5 points above the California state average of 43.8. 24.3% 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 Palm Desert?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Palm Desert is Palm Desert High with a Scope Score of 63/100 and 23.1% 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 Palm Desert schools compare to the state average?
Palm Desert elementary schools average a Scope Score of 48.2 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (4.5 points above). The exceeded rate averages 24.3% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 21.2% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 34.2 to 62.8, a 28.6-point spread.
How many schools are in Palm Desert?
Palm Desert has 6 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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