Thermal’s public schools score below 76% of California districts on tests and graduation
13% of students in Thermal’s public schools are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Thermal, 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 95% 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.
Thermal’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 27% of tested students were proficient in reading and 13% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $24,120 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then four middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is down 9% 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 Thermal’s grade
C−: better than 24% of California school districts. Both inputs trail the California average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Thermal, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Thermal
John Kelley Elementary
Grades K–6 · 505 students · 16:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Thermal
John Kelley Elementary
Grades K–6 · 505 students · 16:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Thermal
John Kelley Elementary
Grades K–6 · 505 students · 16:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Thermal
John Kelley Elementary
Grades K–6 · 505 students · 16:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Thermal
John Kelley Elementary
Grades K–6 · 505 students · 16:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Thermal
John Kelley Elementary
Grades K–6 · 505 students · 16:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Thermal
John Kelley Elementary
Grades K–6 · 505 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Thermal · depends on your address
Coachella Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 2,300 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Desert Mirage High
Grades 9–12 · 1,875 students · 22:1 students per teacher
West Shores High
Grades 7–12 · 503 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Salton City
10th grade in Thermal · depends on your address
Coachella Valley High
Grades 9–12 · 2,300 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Desert Mirage High
Grades 9–12 · 1,875 students · 22:1 students per teacher
West Shores High
Grades 7–12 · 503 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Salton City
Thermal’s public schools are run by Coachella Valley Unified School District, which also serves Coachella and La Quinta. 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
Thermal vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the California towns that share Thermal’s borders.
Every school in Thermal
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 (Coachella Valley USD Special Ed PreK).
Questions about Thermal’s schools
Are Thermal’s schools good?
On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Thermal children attend score below 76% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Thermal in?
Coachella Valley Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 15,817 students in 21 schools (2024–25).
Where do Thermal kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Coachella Valley High, Desert Mirage High and West Shores High.
What is Thermal’s graduation rate?
79% of the class of 2023 in Coachella Valley Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.
How much does Thermal spend per student?
$24,120 in Coachella Valley Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Thermal families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Thermal → 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.