Cathedral City’s public schools score below 57% of California districts on tests and graduation
20% of students in Cathedral City’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Cathedral City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.
From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Cathedral City’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 36% of tested students were proficient in reading and 20% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $22,793 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Cathedral City’s grade
C+: better than 43% of California school districts, #574 of 847 California towns. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Cathedral City, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Cathedral City · depends on your address
James Workman Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,020 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Nellie N. Coffman Middle
Grades 6–8 · 914 students · 20:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Cathedral City · depends on your address
James Workman Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,020 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Nellie N. Coffman Middle
Grades 6–8 · 914 students · 20:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Cathedral City · depends on your address
James Workman Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,020 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Nellie N. Coffman Middle
Grades 6–8 · 914 students · 20:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Cathedral City
Cathedral City High
Grades 9–12 · 1,334 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Cathedral City
Cathedral City High
Grades 9–12 · 1,334 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Cathedral City
Cathedral City High
Grades 9–12 · 1,334 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Cathedral City
Cathedral City High
Grades 9–12 · 1,334 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Cathedral City’s public schools are run by Palm Springs Unified School District, which also serves Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Cathedral City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Cathedral City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Cathedral City | C+ | Palm Springs Unified |
| Rancho Mirage | C+ | Palm Springs Unified |
| Palm Springs | C+ | Palm Springs Unified |
| Desert Hot Springs | C+ | Palm Springs Unified |
All 3 neighbors share Palm Springs Unified with Cathedral City, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Cathedral City
9 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Cathedral City’s schools
Are Cathedral City’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Cathedral City children attend score below 57% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #574 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 40%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Cathedral City in?
Palm Springs Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 20,007 students in 27 schools (2024–25).
Where do Cathedral City kids go to high school?
Cathedral City High, with 1,334 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Cathedral City’s graduation rate?
89% of the class of 2023 in Palm Springs Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Cathedral City spend per student?
$22,793 in Palm Springs Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Cathedral City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Cathedral City → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.