Photo: prayitno · CC BY 2.0La Quinta’s public schools score below 58% of California districts on tests and graduation
In La Quinta, 20% of tested students are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving La Quinta, 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.
La Quinta’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 579 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of La Quinta’s, its schools beat 26%, lower than their 42% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
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
Desert Sands Unified spends $19,599 per student and Coachella Valley Unified $24,120, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
La Quinta Christian Fellowship (private) is in town. Horizon, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 La Quinta’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 La Quinta, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in La Quinta · depends on your address
Harry S. Truman Elementary
Grades K–5 · 635 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Benjamin Franklin Elementary
Grades K–5 · 627 students · 22:1 students per teacher
1st grade in La Quinta · depends on your address
Harry S. Truman Elementary
Grades K–5 · 635 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Benjamin Franklin Elementary
Grades K–5 · 627 students · 22:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in La Quinta · depends on your address
Harry S. Truman Elementary
Grades K–5 · 635 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Benjamin Franklin Elementary
Grades K–5 · 627 students · 22:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in La Quinta · depends on your address
Harry S. Truman Elementary
Grades K–5 · 635 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Benjamin Franklin Elementary
Grades K–5 · 627 students · 22:1 students per teacher
4th grade in La Quinta · depends on your address
Harry S. Truman Elementary
Grades K–5 · 635 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Benjamin Franklin Elementary
Grades K–5 · 627 students · 22:1 students per teacher
5th grade in La Quinta · depends on your address
Harry S. Truman Elementary
Grades K–5 · 635 students · 25:1 students per teacher
Benjamin Franklin Elementary
Grades K–5 · 627 students · 22:1 students per teacher
6th grade in La Quinta · depends on your address
La Quinta Middle
Grades 6–8 · 709 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle
Grades 6–8 · 439 students · 21:1 students per teacher
7th grade in La Quinta · depends on your address
La Quinta Middle
Grades 6–8 · 709 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle
Grades 6–8 · 439 students · 21:1 students per teacher
8th grade in La Quinta · depends on your address
La Quinta Middle
Grades 6–8 · 709 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle
Grades 6–8 · 439 students · 21:1 students per teacher
9th grade in La Quinta
La Quinta High
Grades 9–12 · 2,425 students · 25:1 students per teacher
10th grade in La Quinta
La Quinta High
Grades 9–12 · 2,425 students · 25:1 students per teacher
11th grade in La Quinta
La Quinta High
Grades 9–12 · 2,425 students · 25:1 students per teacher
12th grade in La Quinta
La Quinta High
Grades 9–12 · 2,425 students · 25:1 students per teacher
La Quinta runs its own schools through grade 12 (Desert Sands Unified School District). From grade K, students attend the Coachella Valley Unified School District, shared with Coachella. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve La Quinta
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
La Quinta vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share La Quinta’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| La Quinta | C+ | Desert Sands Unified K–12 · Coachella Valley Unified K–12 |
| Indio | B | Desert Sands Unified |
| Indian Wells | B | Desert Sands Unified |
All 2 neighbors share Desert Sands Unified with La Quinta for grades K–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in La Quinta
8 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (John Adams Early Childhood Learning Center).
Questions about La Quinta’s schools
Are La Quinta’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools La Quinta 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 26%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is La Quinta in?
Two districts: Desert Sands Unified School District runs grades K–12, and Coachella Valley Unified School District runs grades K–12, shared with Coachella.
Where do La Quinta kids go to high school?
La Quinta High, with 2,425 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is La Quinta’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 La Quinta spend per student?
$19,599 in Desert Sands Unified School District and $24,120 in Coachella Valley Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in La Quinta?
Yes: La Quinta Christian Fellowship (religious, grades 1–8, 24 students).
Parents talk
What La Quinta families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near La Quinta → 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.