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Palo Verde Unified

Below Average2024–25 data5 schools · avg 23.6/100

Palo Verde Unified has 5 ranked schools across elementary and high levels with an average Scope Score of 23.6/100 — 20.1 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Palo Verde High at 36/100, where 4.3% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $14,210 per student (below the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 36.6%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
23.6
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
18.5
17.9 – 36.5
Avg Exceeded %
4.0%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
36.6%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
5
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementaryNeeds Support
20.5/100
35.3%26.5%
HighNeeds Support
28.4/100
22.1%51.7%

K–12 pipeline

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

Elementary
20.5
avg score · 3 schools
Margaret White Elementary
Needs Support
23/100
Ruth Brown Elementary
Needs Support
21/100
Felix J. Appleby Elementary
Needs Support
18/100
High
28.4
avg score · 2 schools
Palo Verde High
Developing
36/100
Twin Palms Continuation
Needs Support
20/100

District Analysis

Strongest level: Palo Verde Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 28.4.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -11.5pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.

Consistency: Score range of 18.5 points — moderately consistent between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 36.6%, 18.5pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 5.3%, below the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Palo Verde High leads the district at 36 with 4.3% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

Student demographics

Hispanic
74.1%
White
12.5%
Asian
0.2%
Black
9.4%
Other
3.9%
Free/Reduced Lunch
83%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Palo Verde Unified spends $14,210 per student in current expenditures — $605 below the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$14,210
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
2,821
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 19.7%
$11,876 → $14,210
Spending Efficiency
1.66
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 57%Support 38%Other 5%
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
$63,061–$127,355
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
133
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (3)

Palo Verde Unified has 3 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 20.5 — 23.3 points below the state average of 43.8.

Growth averages -11.5pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Margaret White Elementary with a Scope Score of 23 and 4.3% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Margaret White Elementary
Palo Verde Unified Building Momentum
4.3%Needs Support
23/100
2Ruth Brown Elementary
Palo Verde Unified Building Momentum
5.7%Needs Support
21/100
3Felix J. Appleby Elementary
Palo Verde Unified Building Momentum
5.8%Needs Support
18/100

High Schools (2)

Palo Verde Unified has 2 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 28.4 — 19.1 points below the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Palo Verde High with a Scope Score of 36 and 4.3% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Palo Verde High
Palo Verde Unified Building Momentum
4.3%Developing
36/100
2Twin Palms Continuation
Palo Verde Unified Building Momentum
0.0%Needs Support
20/100

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 Palo Verde 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 Palo Verde Unified a good school district?
Palo Verde Unified has 5 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 23.6/100, which is 20.1 points below the California state average of 43.8. 4.0% 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 Palo Verde Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Palo Verde Unified is Palo Verde High with a Scope Score of 36/100 and 4.3% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Palo Verde Unified spend per student?
Palo Verde Unified spends $14,210 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 Palo Verde Unified?
Teacher salaries in Palo Verde Unified range from $63,061–$127,355 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.