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Elementary Schools in Palm Springs, California

Below Average2024–25 data7 schools · avg 37.8/100

Palm Springs, California has 7 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 37.8/100 — 6.0 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Palm Springs High at 55/100, where 12.9% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Palm Springs schools average 14.6% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 20.7% (above the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
37.8
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
26.9
27.6 – 54.5
Avg Exceeded %
14.6%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
20.7%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
7
With Scope Scores

How Palm Springs schools compare

Palm Springs's 7 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 37.8 — 6.0 points below the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 27.6 to 54.5, a 26.9-point spread.

The top-ranked school is Palm Springs High with a Scope Score of 55 and 12.9% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in Palm Springs averages 20.7%, 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 Springs

2 Culture First5 Building Momentum

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

Schools in Palm Springs ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolExceededScore
1Palm Springs High
Palm Springs Unified Building Momentum
12.9%Solid
55/100
2Cielo Vista Charter
Palm Springs Unified Culture First
26.9%Solid
50/100
3Katherine Finchy Elementary
Palm Springs Unified Building Momentum
19.4%Developing
38/100
4Desert Learning Academy
Palm Springs Unified Culture First
14.8%Developing
33/100
5Raymond Cree Middle
Palm Springs Unified Building Momentum
12.3%Developing
30/100
6Cahuilla Elementary
Palm Springs Unified Building Momentum
9.6%Developing
30/100
7Vista del Monte Elementary
Palm Springs Unified Building Momentum
6.3%Needs Support
28/100

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 Springs

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.

King'S Schools of the Desert
Brethren · Grades Pre-K-8 · 209 students
17:1Private
St. Theresa Elementary School
Roman Catholic · Grades Pre-K-8 · 161 students
14:1Private
Montessori School of Palm Springs
Nonsectarian · Grades Pre-K-5 · 55 students
4:1Private

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Palm Springs

  • 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 Springs good?
Palm Springs's 7 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 37.8/100, which is 6.0 points below the California state average of 43.8. 14.6% 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 Springs?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Palm Springs is Palm Springs High with a Scope Score of 55/100 and 12.9% 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 Palm Springs schools compare to the state average?
Palm Springs elementary schools average a Scope Score of 37.8 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (6.0 points below). The exceeded rate averages 14.6% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 20.7% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 27.6 to 54.5, a 26.9-point spread.
How many schools are in Palm Springs?
Palm Springs has 7 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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