For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 5,354 students in Palm Springs, CA (there are 7 private schools, serving 1,026 private students). 84% 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 27% (versus the California public school average of 34%), 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 83% 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 (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cielo Vista Charter
Charter School
(Math: 40% | 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
Gr: K-8 | 824 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #22.
Palm Springs High School
(Math: 25% | 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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,497 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #33.
Katherine Finchy Elementary School
(Math: 37% | 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
Gr: K-5 | 464 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #44.
Raymond Cree Middle School
(Math: 25% | 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
Gr: 6-8 | 721 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #55.
Cahuilla Elementary School
(Math: 26% | 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
Gr: K-5 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #66.
Vista Del Monte Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2744 North Via Miraleste
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 416-8176
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 416-8176
Gr: K-5 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
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
Gr: K-12 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #88.
Brookfield Engineering Science Technology Academy
Charter School
(Math: 7% | 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
Gr: K-12 | 693 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
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?
84% 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 83% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.