Top Rankings
Desert Sands Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 10%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 8 public high schools serving 9,034 students in Desert Sands Unified School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in California.
Public High Schools in Desert Sands Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Public High School in Desert Sands Unified School District have a Graduation Rate of 94%, which is more than the California average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Palm Desert High School, with 96% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 84% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
35 Schools
2,817 Schools
# Students
25,897 Students
2,139,525 Students
# Teachers
1,090 Teachers
100,737 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1
24:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Desert Sands Unified School District, which is ranked #1080 of all 1,910 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 94% has increased from 90% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#1043 out of 1932 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
26%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
24%
29%
Graduation Rate
94%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.40
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
3%
11%
% Hispanic
76%
56%
% Black
2%
5%
% White
15%
22%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $18,465 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,703 is less than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$478 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$433 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$18,465
$19,974
Spending / Student
$16,703
$18,396
Best Desert Sands Unified School District Public High Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Palm Desert High School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
74-910 Aztec Rd.
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 862-4300
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 862-4300
Gr: 9-12 | 2,039 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #22.
La Quinta High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
79-255 Blackhawk Way
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 772-4150
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 772-4150
Gr: 9-12 | 2,488 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #33.
Horizon
Alternative School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
43-330 Palm Royale Dr.
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 238-9720
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 238-9720
Gr: K-12 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #44.
Shadow Hills High School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
39-225 Jefferson St.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 393-5400
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 393-5400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,702 student Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #55.
Indio High School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
81-750 Avenue 46
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3550
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3550
Gr: 9-12 | 2,027 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #66.
Summit High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
43-330 Palm Royale Dr.
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 238-9760
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 238-9760
Gr: 10-12 | 167 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #77.
Amistad High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
83-501 Dillon Ave.
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3570
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3570
Gr: 9-12 | 196 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Desert Sands A.t.l.a.s.
Special Education School
83-391 Dillon Ave
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3810
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 775-3810
Gr: 12 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Recent Articles
School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.
Best School Match 2025: Public vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.
51爆料 Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.
