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Morongo Unified

Below Average2024–25 data14 schools · avg 33.7/100

Morongo Unified has 14 ranked schools across elementary and high levels with an average Scope Score of 33.7/100 — 10.0 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Friendly Hills Elementary at 47/100, where 20.5% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $15,012 per student (above the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 27.3%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
33.7
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
26.9
20.4 – 47.3
Avg Exceeded %
12.2%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
27.3%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
14
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementaryDeveloping
32.6/100
1112.8%25.4%
HighDeveloping
38.0/100
39.7%34.5%

K–12 pipeline

The typical school path in Morongo Unified, top-scoring shown first.

Elementary
32.6
avg score · 11 schools
+8 more elementary schools
High
38.0
avg score · 3 schools
Twentynine Palms High
Developing
46/100
Yucca Valley High
Developing
40/100

District Analysis

Strongest level: Morongo Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 38.0.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -7.6pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.

Consistency: Score range of 26.9 points — showing notable variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 27.3%, 9.2pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 4.4%, below the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Friendly Hills Elementary leads the district at 47 with 20.5% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in Morongo Unified

2 On the Rise12 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 2 schools in Morongo Unified are classified as On the Rise (2) — showing positive growth trajectories that raw proficiency scores alone don't capture. These are schools where students leave with more than they arrived with.

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

Student demographics

Hispanic
38.1%
White
46.1%
Asian
1.0%
Black
7.3%
Other
7.5%
Free/Reduced Lunch
66%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Morongo Unified spends $15,012 per student in current expenditures — $198 above the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$15,012
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
8,005
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 23.9%
$12,112 → $15,012
Spending Efficiency
2.25
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 57%Support 34%Other 9%
NCES F-33 Finance · District-level data — not school-specific

Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020

Teacher compensation

Salary Range
$54,287–$131,471
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
422
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (11)

Morongo Unified has 11 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 32.6 — 11.2 points below the state average of 43.8.

Growth averages -7.6pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Friendly Hills Elementary with a Scope Score of 47 and 20.5% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Friendly Hills Elementary
Morongo Unified Building Momentum
20.5%Developing
47/100
2Morongo Valley Elementary
Morongo Unified Building Momentum
19.9%Developing
42/100
3Twentynine Palms Elementary
Morongo Unified On the Rise
17.2%Developing
41/100
4Condor Elementary
Morongo Unified Building Momentum
17.2%Developing
39/100
5Yucca Valley Elementary
Morongo Unified Building Momentum
8.9%Developing
32/100
6Yucca Mesa Elementary
Morongo Unified Building Momentum
15.2%Developing
32/100
7Landers Elementary
Morongo Unified Building Momentum
15.3%Needs Support
29/100
8Joshua Tree Elementary
Morongo Unified Building Momentum
6.5%Needs Support
28/100
9Onaga Elementary
Morongo Unified Building Momentum
9.1%Needs Support
24/100
10Oasis Elementary
Morongo Unified On the Rise
7.3%Needs Support
22/100
11Palm Vista Elementary
Morongo Unified Building Momentum
4.2%Needs Support
20/100

High Schools (3)

Morongo Unified has 3 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 38.0 — 9.5 points below the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Twentynine Palms High with a Scope Score of 46 and 17.6% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Twentynine Palms High
Morongo Unified Building Momentum
17.6%Developing
46/100
2Yucca Valley High
Morongo Unified Building Momentum
11.4%Developing
40/100
3Black Rock Alternative/Continuation
Morongo Unified Building Momentum
0.0%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.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Morongo Unified

  • 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 resources are distributed across schools within the district

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

Frequently asked questions

Is Morongo Unified a good school district?
Morongo Unified has 14 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 33.7/100, which is 10.0 points below the California state average of 43.8. 12.2% of students exceed the state standard on average. The Scope Score measures academic performance and school climate across six dimensions. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best school in Morongo Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Morongo Unified is Friendly Hills Elementary with a Scope Score of 47/100 and 20.5% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Morongo Unified spend per student?
Morongo Unified spends $15,012 per student in current expenditures. The state average is $14,815. Spending data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data Fiscal Survey (F-33). Higher spending does not automatically mean better outcomes — the Scope Score measures what happens in the classroom regardless of budget.
What is the teacher salary range in Morongo Unified?
Teacher salaries in Morongo Unified range from $54,287–$131,471 based on the district's salary schedule (CDE Form J-90). The California statewide median teacher salary is approximately $98,000.
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-level growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Full methodology and weights.