For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 5,279 students in Palm Springs, CA (there are , serving 859 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Palm Springs, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Palm Springs, CA are Cielo Vista Charter, Palm Springs High School and Katherine Finchy Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Palm Springs, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Palm Springs have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Palm Springs, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Cielo Vista Charter
Charter School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
650 South Paseo Dorotea
Palm Springs, CA 92264
(760) 416-8250
Palm Springs, CA 92264
(760) 416-8250
Grades: K-8
| 850 students
Rank: #22.
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: #33.
Katherine Finchy Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
777 East Tachevah Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 416-8190
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 416-8190
Grades: K-5
| 476 students
Rank: #44.
Vista Del Monte Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2744 North Via Miraleste
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 416-8176
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 416-8176
Grades: K-5
| 471 students
Rank: #55.
Raymond Cree Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1011 Vista Chino
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 416-8283
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 416-8283
Grades: 6-8
| 710 students
Rank: #66.
Cahuilla Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
833 East Mesquite Ave.
Palm Springs, CA 92264
(760) 416-8161
Palm Springs, CA 92264
(760) 416-8161
Grades: K-5
| 413 students
Rank: #77.
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: #88.
Brookfield Engineering Science Technology Academy
Charter School
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 8%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1704 Cape Horn
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(833) 619-2378
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(833) 619-2378
Grades: K-12
| 469 students
Rank: n/an/a
150 District Center Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92264
(760) 883-2700
Palm Springs, CA 92264
(760) 883-2700
Grades: n/a
| 4 students
Palm Springs, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Ramon Academy (Closed 2017)
Alternative School
2248 E. Ramon Rd
Palm Springs, CA 92264
(760) 778-0487
Palm Springs, CA 92264
(760) 778-0487
Grades: 7-10
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Palm Springs, CA?
The top ranked public schools in Palm Springs, CA include Cielo Vista Charter, Palm Springs High School and Katherine Finchy Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Palm Springs?
9 public schools are located in Palm Springs.
What percentage of students in Palm Springs go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Palm Springs are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Palm Springs?
Palm Springs public schools minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Palm Springs are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Palm Springs include: Katherine Finchy Elementary School vs. Cielo Vista Charter, Cielo Vista Charter vs. Katherine Finchy Elementary School
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.