Photo: Visitor7 · CC BY-SA 3.0Coachella’s public schools score below 58% of California districts on tests and graduation
In Coachella, 20% of tested students are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Coachella, 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 96% 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.
Coachella’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 35% of tested students were proficient in reading and 20% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Coachella Valley Unified spends $24,120 per student and Desert Sands Unified $19,599, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
NOVA Academy - Coachella is in town. Every school ↓
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 Coachella’s grade
C+: better than 42% of California school districts, #593 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 Coachella, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Coachella
Bobby Duke Middle
Grades 7–8 · 648 students · 21:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Coachella
Bobby Duke Middle
Grades 7–8 · 648 students · 21:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Coachella
Coachella Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 2,300 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Thermal
10th grade in Coachella
Coachella Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 2,300 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Thermal
11th grade in Coachella
Coachella Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 2,300 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Thermal
12th grade in Coachella
Coachella Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 2,300 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Thermal
Coachella runs its own schools through grade 12 (Coachella Valley Unified School District). From grade K, students attend the Desert Sands Unified School District, shared with Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta and Palm Desert. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Coachella
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
Coachella vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Coachella’s borders.
Every school in Coachella
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 Coachella’s schools
Are Coachella’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Coachella children attend score below 58% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #593 of 847 California towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 43%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Coachella in?
Two districts: Coachella Valley Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Desert Sands Unified School District runs grades K–12, shared with Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta and Palm Desert.
Where do Coachella kids go to high school?
Coachella Valley High in Thermal, with 2,300 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is Coachella’s graduation rate?
94% of the class of 2023 in Desert Sands Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Coachella spend per student?
$24,120 in Coachella Valley Unified School District and $19,599 in Desert Sands Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Coachella families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Coachella → 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.