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Desert Sands Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating: 5 out of 10. GreatSchools Ratings are based on test results. 10 is best.
This district's rating is based on its schools' test results; 10 is best. Learn more >

Learn About This District's:

47-950 Dune Palms Rd.
La Quinta, CA 92253
Riverside County
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PH: (760) 777-4200
FAX: (760) 771-8505

  • Grades K-12 & ungraded
  • 28,517 students
  • 33 schools

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 CST Results

 
Scale: % at or above proficient

Grade 2

English Language Arts
 47% (2007)
 44% (2006)
 35% (2005)
 31% (2004)
The state average for English Language Arts was 48% in 2007.

Math
 59% (2007)
 52% (2006)
 50% (2005)
 46% (2004)
The state average for Math was 59% in 2007.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007

Grade 3

English Language Arts
 37% (2007)
 33% (2006)
 28% (2005)
 25% (2004)
The state average for English Language Arts was 37% in 2007.

Math
 60% (2007)
 57% (2006)
 52% (2005)
 46% (2004)
The state average for Math was 58% in 2007.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007

Grade 4

English Language Arts
 49% (2007)
 47% (2006)
 44% (2005)
 32% (2004)
The state average for English Language Arts was 51% in 2007.

Math
 55% (2007)
 52% (2006)
 45% (2005)
 41% (2004)
The state average for Math was 56% in 2007.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007

Grade 5

Science
 39% (2007)
 30% (2006)
The state average for Science was 37% in 2007.

English Language Arts
 44% (2007)
 41% (2006)
 39% (2005)
 37% (2004)
The state average for English Language Arts was 44% in 2007.

Math
 51% (2007)
 45% (2006)
 42% (2005)
 31% (2004)
The state average for Math was 49% in 2007.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007

Grade 6

English Language Arts
 36% (2007)
 34% (2006)
 33% (2005)
 32% (2004)
The state average for English Language Arts was 42% in 2007.

Math
 33% (2007)
 34% (2006)
 32% (2005)
 27% (2004)
The state average for Math was 42% in 2007.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007

Grade 7

English Language Arts
 45% (2007)
 39% (2006)
 38% (2005)
 32% (2004)
The state average for English Language Arts was 46% in 2007.

Math
 34% (2007)
 37% (2006)
 33% (2005)
 26% (2004)
The state average for Math was 39% in 2007.

Algebra I
 65% (2007)
The state average for Algebra I was 77% in 2007.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007

Grade 8

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)
 18% (2007)
 19% (2006)
 16% (2005)
 19% (2004)
The state average for General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards) was 23% in 2007.

Science
 40% (2007)
 31% (2006)
The state average for Science was 42% in 2007.

English Language Arts
 40% (2007)
 39% (2006)
 34% (2005)
 26% (2004)
The state average for English Language Arts was 41% in 2007.

History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative
 29% (2007)
The state average for History - Social Science Grade 8 Cumulative was 35% in 2007.

Algebra I
 42% (2007)
 33% (2006)
 24% (2005)
 37% (2004)
The state average for Algebra I was 38% in 2007.

Geometry
 75% (2007)
 67% (2006)
The state average for Geometry was 83% in 2007.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007

Grade 9

Algebra II
 68% (2007)
 46% (2006)
 47% (2005)
 43% (2004)
The state average for Algebra II was 65% in 2007.

General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)
 1% (2007)
 3% (2006)
 13% (2005)
 8% (2004)
The state average for General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards) was 13% in 2007.

Biology/Life Sciences
 53% (2007)
 50% (2006)
The state average for Biology/Life Sciences was 47% in 2007.

English Language Arts
 49% (2007)
 43% (2006)
 41% (2005)
 38% (2004)
The state average for English Language Arts was 47% in 2007.

Earth Science
 22% (2007)
 16% (2006)
The state average for Earth Science was 27% in 2007.

World History
 67% (2007)
The state average for World History was 29% in 2007.

Integrated/Coordinated Science 1
Data not available for this district (2007)
The state average for Integrated/Coordinated Science 1 was 11% in 2007.

Algebra I
 10% (2007)
 13% (2006)
 9% (2005)
 8% (2004)
The state average for Algebra I was 17% in 2007.

Geometry
 35% (2007)
 32% (2006)
 44% (2005)
 36% (2004)
The state average for Geometry was 44% in 2007.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007

Grade 10

Algebra II
 27% (2007)
 28% (2006)
 30% (2005)
 32% (2004)
The state average for Algebra II was 35% in 2007.

High School (Summative) Mathematics (Grade 9-11)
 59% (2007)
The state average for High School (Summative) Mathematics (Grade 9-11) was 65% in 2007.

Science
 33% (2007)
 33% (2006)
The state average for Science was 35% in 2007.

Biology/Life Sciences
 23% (2007)
 23% (2006)
The state average for Biology/Life Sciences was 30% in 2007.

English Language Arts
 38% (2007)
 35% (2006)
 34% (2005)
 34% (2004)
The state average for English Language Arts was 37% in 2007.

Chemistry
 40% (2007)
 31% (2006)
The state average for Chemistry was 39% in 2007.

Earth Science
 23% (2007)
 10% (2006)
The state average for Earth Science was 20% in 2007.

World History
 25% (2007)
The state average for World History was 29% in 2007.

Algebra I
 4% (2007)
 5% (2006)
 3% (2005)
 2% (2004)
The state average for Algebra I was 8% in 2007.

Geometry
 8% (2007)
 6% (2006)
 12% (2005)
 10% (2004)
The state average for Geometry was 13% in 2007.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007

Grade 11

Algebra II
 5% (2007)
 3% (2006)
 7% (2005)
 6% (2004)
The state average for Algebra II was 12% in 2007.

High School (Summative) Mathematics (Grade 9-11)
 34% (2007)
The state average for High School (Summative) Mathematics (Grade 9-11) was 44% in 2007.

Biology/Life Sciences
 33% (2007)
 27% (2006)
The state average for Biology/Life Sciences was 36% in 2007.

U.S. History
 34% (2007)
The state average for U.S. History was 35% in 2007.

English Language Arts
 34% (2007)
 33% (2006)
 35% (2005)
 30% (2004)
The state average for English Language Arts was 37% in 2007.

Physics
 49% (2007)
 40% (2006)
The state average for Physics was 42% in 2007.

Chemistry
 25% (2007)
 17% (2006)
The state average for Chemistry was 26% in 2007.

Earth Science
 31% (2007)
 28% (2006)
The state average for Earth Science was 24% in 2007.

World History
 3% (2007)
The state average for World History was 10% in 2007.

Algebra I
 2% (2007)
 2% (2006)
 1% (2005)
 2% (2004)
The state average for Algebra I was 5% in 2007.

Geometry
 5% (2007)
 3% (2006)
 4% (2005)
 5% (2004)
The state average for Geometry was 6% in 2007.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007

About the tests

  • In 2006-2007 California used the California Standards Tests (CSTs) to test students in English language arts and math in grades 2 through 11; science in grades 5, 8 and 10; and history-social science in grades 8 and 11. Middle and high school students also took subject-specific CSTs in math and science, depending on the course in which they were enrolled.
  • The CSTs are standards-based tests, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of California.
  • The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the tests.

Testing in California: An Overview

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 CAHSEE Results

 
Scale: % passing

Grade 10

English Language Arts
 78% (2007)
 75% (2006)
 73% (2005)
 73% (2004)
The state average for English Language Arts was 77% in 2007.

Math
 78% (2007)
 78% (2006)
 73% (2005)
 78% (2004)
The state average for Math was 76% in 2007.

Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007

About the Tests

  • In 2006-2007 California used the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) to test high school students' skills in English language arts and mathematics.
  • The results for grade 10 students taking the test for the first time are displayed on GreatSchools profiles.
  • The CAHSEE is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined by the state of California.
  • Students must pass all parts of the CAHSEE in order to graduate from high school. If they do not pass it the first time, students have multiple opportunities to retake the test.
  • The goal is for all students to pass both sections of the test.

Testing in California: An Overview

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 CAHSEE Results By Subgroup

 
The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.

Scale: % passing

Grade 10
English Language ArtsThis District
All Students78%
Females81%
Males75%
African American58%
Asian85%
Filipino94%
Hispanic or Latino69%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)92%
Declined to state95%
Economically disadvantaged65%
Non-economically disadvantaged86%
Economic Status Unknown83%
Students with disability28%
English learner33%
Migrant education50%

MathThis District
All Students78%
Females79%
Males77%
African American62%
Asian92%
Filipino76%
Hispanic or Latino70%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White (not Hispanic)90%
Declined to state88%
Economically disadvantaged68%
Non-economically disadvantaged85%
Economic Status Unknown83%
Students with disability32%
English learner40%
Migrant education83%
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007

About the Tests

  • In 2006-2007 California used the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) to test high school students' skills in English language arts and mathematics.
  • The results for grade 10 students taking the test for the first time are displayed on GreatSchools profiles.
  • The CAHSEE is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined by the state of California.
  • The different student groups are identified by the California Department of Education; if there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.
  • Students must pass all parts of the CAHSEE in order to graduate from high school. If they do not pass it the first time, students have multiple opportunities to retake the test.
  • The goal is for all students to pass both sections of the test.

Testing in California: An Overview

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 Teachers

 
Teacher Credentials
Information about this data
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
Full credential98%95%
Emergency credential3%5%
Teacher Experience and Credentials: Issues to Consider >
Teacher Experience
Information about this data
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
Average years teaching1313
Average years teaching in district1110
First-year teachers3%6%
Teacher Experience and Credentials: Issues to Consider >
Average Class Size
Information about this data
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
Kindergarten2920
Grade 11919
Grade 21919
Grade 31920
Grade 42923
Grade 52929
Grade 63029
Grade 73029
Grade 83029
Grade 93127
Grade 103130
Grade 112928
Grade 122425
How Important is Class Size? >
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 Students

 
Student Ethnicity
Information about this data
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
EthnicityThis DistrictState Average
Hispanic or Latino64%48%
White, not Hispanic27%29%
Multiple or No Response5%3%
African American, not Hispanic2%8%
Asian1%8%
Filipino<1%3%
American Indian or Alaska Native<1%<1%
Pacific Islander<1%<1%
How Important is Cultural Diversity at Your School? >
Student Subgroups
Information about this data
Source: CA Dept. of Education, 2006-2007
 This DistrictState Average
English language learners25%25%
The Achievement Gap: Is Your School Helping All Students? >
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 Spending Per Pupil

 
Spending Per Pupil
Information about this data
 This DistrictState Average
Total per pupil expenditures$7,627$10,805
Breakdown By Expenditure  
Instructional63%61%
Student and staff support10%7%
Administration11%15%
Other expenditures16%18%
Source: NCES, 2005-2006
School Finance: Issues to Consider >
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