Top Rankings
Palm Springs Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public middle schools serving 5,377 students in Palm Springs Unified School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in California.
Public Middle Schools in Palm Springs Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 92% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
27 Schools
3,496 Schools
# Students
19,797 Students
1,854,189 Students
# Teachers
969 Teachers
87,800 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
20:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Palm Springs Unified School District, which is ranked #1296 of all 1,908 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 89% has decreased from 92% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#1221 out of 1932 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
18%
29%
Graduation Rate
89%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.33
0.64
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
3%
11%
% Hispanic
81%
55%
% Black
4%
5%
% White
9%
22%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $23,748 is higher than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has grown by 31% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $20,450 is higher than the state median of $18,395. The school district spending/student has grown by 18% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$470 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$405 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$23,748
$19,974
Spending / Student
$20,450
$18,395
Best Palm Springs Unified School District Public Middle Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cielo Vista Charter
Charter School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
650 South Paseo Dorotea
Palm Springs, CA 92264
(760) 416-8250
Palm Springs, CA 92264
(760) 416-8250
Gr: K-8 | 850 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #22.
Raymond Cree Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1011 Vista Chino
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 416-8283
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 416-8283
Gr: 6-8 | 710 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #33.
James Workman Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
69-300 30th Ave.
Cathedral City, CA 92234
(760) 770-8540
Cathedral City, CA 92234
(760) 770-8540
Gr: 6-8 | 1,027 student Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #44.
Desert Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2248 East Ramon Rd.
Palm Springs, CA 92264
(760) 778-0487
Palm Springs, CA 92264
(760) 778-0487
Gr: K-12 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #55.
Nellie N. Coffman Middle School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
34-603 Plumley Rd.
Cathedral City, CA 92234
(760) 770-8617
Cathedral City, CA 92234
(760) 770-8617
Gr: 6-8 | 928 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #66.
Desert Springs Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
66-755 Two Bunch Palms Trail
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
(760) 251-7200
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
(760) 251-7200
Gr: 6-8 | 740 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #77.
Painted Hills Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
9250 Sonora Dr.
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
(760) 251-1551
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
(760) 251-1551
Gr: 6-8 | 744 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Recent Articles
Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Explore the latest 2026 data, trends, costs, and parent planning tips in the ongoing debate over year-round schooling vs the traditional calendar.
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
Explore how No Child Left Behind evolved into ESSA, what it means for 2025‑26 schooling, and what parents need to know about testing, admissions planning, and funding.
Understanding 51±¬ÁÏ Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Discover what public school fees are required versus optional, with 2026 updates for parents, students, and educators on budgeting and planning.
