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Schools in 92260 — Palm Desert, California

92260 has 5 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 50.0 — 6.2 points above the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 34.2 to 62.8, a 28.6-point spread.

Avg Scope Score
50.0
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
28.6
34.2 – 62.8
Avg Exceeded %
25.2%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
22.1%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
5
With Scope Scores

How 92260 schools perform

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

Chronic absenteeism across 92260 averages 22.1%, below the state average of 18.1%.

How 92260 compares to nearby zip codes

Zip CodeCitySchoolsAvg Scorevs 92260
92260Palm Desert5Developing
50.0/100
—
92262Palm Springs4Developing
37.7/100
-12.3
92264Palm Springs3Developing
37.9/100
-12.0
92253La Quinta7Developing
33.6/100
-16.3
92251Imperial6Developing
44.3/100
-5.7
92250Holtville4Developing
49.0/100
-1.0

School archetypes in 92260

1 Strong All-Around1 On the Rise3 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 1 school in 92260 is classified as On the Rise — 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

All schools in 92260

#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 On the Rise
30.9%Developing
48/100
4Palm Desert Charter Middle
Desert Sands Unified Building Momentum
22.5%Developing
44/100
5Abraham Lincoln Elementary
Desert Sands Unified Building Momentum
11.6%Developing
34/100

Schools in 92260 on the map

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 92260

  • 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 5 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 50.0/100, which is 6.2 points above the California state average of 43.8. 25.2% 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 50.0 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (6.2 points above). The exceeded rate averages 25.2% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 22.1% 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 5 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.

Related

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