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Elementary Schools in Palm Springs, California: 5 schools. Average score 8.2 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.

Below Average2024–25 data5 schools · avg 36.7/100

Palm Springs, California has 5 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 36.7/100 — 8.2 points below the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is Cielo Vista Charter at 47/100, where 26.9% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Palm Springs schools average 15.4% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 18.0% (near the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
36.7
State avg: 44.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
16.2
30.8 – 47.0
Avg Exceeded %
15.4%
State avg: 21.3%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
18.0%
State avg: 17.9%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
5
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary5Developing
36.7/100
15.4%-8.2
High1Developing
49.2/100
12.9%+5.5
Middle1Developing
30.7/100
12.3%-12.0

How Palm Springs schools compare

Palm Springs has 5 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 36.7/100 — 8.2 points below the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Cielo Vista Charter with a Scope Score of 47 and 26.9% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in Palm Springs averages 18.0% — near the state average of 17.9%.

How we score · Weighted composite of test performance, growth, and school climate · Full weights on the methodology page

School archetypes in Palm Springs

2 Culture First3 Building Momentum

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

For the data nerds

Every school in Palm Springs

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Palm Springs High
Palm Springs Unified Building Momentum
12.9%Developing
49/100
2Cielo Vista Charter
Palm Springs Unified Culture First
26.9%Developing
47/100
3Katherine Finchy Elementary
Palm Springs Unified Building Momentum
19.4%Developing
40/100
4Cahuilla Elementary
Palm Springs Unified Building Momentum
9.6%Developing
34/100
5Vista del Monte Elementary
Palm Springs Unified Building Momentum
6.3%Developing
32/100
6Desert Learning Academy
Palm Springs Unified Culture First
14.8%Developing
31/100
7Raymond Cree Middle
Palm Springs Unified Building Momentum
12.3%Developing
31/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 7 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools

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

Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Palm Springs good?
Palm Springs's 5 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 36.7/100, which is 8.2 points below the state average. 15.4% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.3%). The Scope Score weights 6 dimensions for elementary schools: exceeded standard (38%), grade 3-to-5 growth (27%), met or exceeded (proficient) (20%), chronic absenteeism (5%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC English Learner 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 Cielo Vista Charter with a Scope Score of 47/100 and 26.9% 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 36.7/100 — 8.2 points below the state average of 44.8. The exceeded rate averages 15.4% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 18.0% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in Palm Springs?
Palm Springs 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 seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline 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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