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 2025 school year, there are 6 public high schools serving 6,795 students in Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 16% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Public High School in Palm Springs Unified School District have a Graduation Rate of 89%, which is more than the California average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Rancho Mirage 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 91% 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
27 Schools
2,817 Schools
# Students
19,797 Students
2,139,525 Students
# Teachers
969 Teachers
100,737 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
20:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Palm Springs Unified School District, which is ranked #1280 of all 1,925 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 89% has decreased from 91% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#1278 out of 1941 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
20%
33%
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
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
3%
11%
% Hispanic
81%
56%
% Black
4%
5%
% White
9%
22%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
5%
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 9% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $20,450 is higher than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has grown by 9% 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
$18,396
Best Palm Springs Unified School District Public High Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Palm Springs High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2401 East Baristo Rd.
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 778-0400
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 778-0400
Grades: 9-12
| 1,508 students
Rank: #22.
Cathedral City High School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
69250 Dinah Shore Dr.
Cathedral City, CA 92234
(760) 770-0100
Cathedral City, CA 92234
(760) 770-0100
Grades: 9-12
| 1,370 students
Rank: #33.
Rancho Mirage High School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
31001 Rattler Rd.
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
(760) 202-6455
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
(760) 202-6455
Grades: 9-12
| 1,464 students
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
Grades: K-12
| 378 students
Rank: #55.
Desert Hot Springs High School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
65850 Pierson Blvd.
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
(760) 288-7000
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
(760) 288-7000
Grades: 9-12
| 1,718 students
Rank: #66.
Mt. San Jacinto High School
Alternative School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
30800 Landau Blvd.
Cathedral City, CA 92234
(760) 770-8563
Cathedral City, CA 92234
(760) 770-8563
Grades: 9-12
| 357 students
Recent Articles
Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.
Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.
