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Carrillo Ranch Elementary

Q: Is Carrillo Ranch Elementary a good school?

Carrillo Ranch Elementary ranks 3474 th of 5857 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

3474^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 5,857 California Elementary Schools

Better than 41% of California elementary schools

Summary

Carrillo Ranch Elementary is a public K-5 school serving 459 students in the Desert Sands Unified School District in Indio, showing a clear and positive trend of improvement in recent years.

The school has made significant strides, climbing from a 1-star to a 2-star rating since 2021, a notable upward trajectory compared to some neighboring schools like John F. Kennedy Elementary or James Madison Elementary that remain in the lowest percentiles. A key area of success is managing chronic absenteeism, which has been cut by more than half to 21.9%, a better rate than nearby schools such as Theodore Roosevelt Elementary (37%). The school also achieves these improving results while spending less per student than several other local schools with lower performance.

While overall test scores are still catching up to state averages, the school shows relative strength in science and in serving economically disadvantaged students. Challenges include a drop in math scores in 5th grade and supporting English Language Learners. Within the diverse Desert Sands Unified district, which has top performers like James Monroe Elementary and many struggling schools, Carrillo Ranch stands out as a mid-tier school demonstrating that consistent progress is possible.

459

Students ?

22.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$21,142

Per pupil spending ?

89.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

43-775 Madison St.
Indio, CA 92201-8626

(760) 238-9700

District: Desert Sands Unified

Students who attend Carrillo Ranch Elementary usually attend:

High:

La Quinta High

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

91.3%

White:

3.3%

Asian:

2.4%

See top rated California elementary schools

Compare Carrillo Ranch Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 17th percentile in 2022 → 41st in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 41st (2025) from a 17th-percentile low (2022)

Worth a look

!Test scores below the California average (33% vs 41% meeting standards)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Large classes — about 22 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school33%

District avg33%

California avg41%

3,474^th of 5,857

California public elementary schools ?

Bottom 41%▼ down 3 pts since 2015

See the entire ranking list of California Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

10^th of 19Elementary Schools in the Desert Sands Unified

989^th of 1,543Desert Sands Unified among California districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	36.1	3474 of 5857	40.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	29.9	3932 of 5869	33.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	26.3	4237 of 5859	27.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	19.9	4867 of 5883	17.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	42.2	3056 of 5789	47.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	46.3	2768 of 5662	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2017	49.5	2580 of 5692	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2016	43.0	2898 of 5614	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2015	37.4	3170 of 5611	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2013	47.4	2838 of 5530	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2012	55.7	2290 of 5390	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2011	70.9	1457 of 5377	72.9%	★★★★☆
2010	76.2	1173 of 5314	77.9%	★★★★☆
2009	59.5	1945 of 5193	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2008	66.3	1574 of 5113	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2007	60.4	1802 of 5113	64.8%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2022	27.9	1599 of 2227	28.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	37.0	1429 of 2585	44.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	36.9	1146 of 2128	46.1%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2024	27.8	2704 of 3162	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	27.3	2722 of 3245	16.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	31.0	2527 of 3311	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	59.5	847 of 3275	74.1%	★★★★☆
2018	67.7	621 of 3246	80.9%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	41.7	2971 of 5597	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	32.1	3635 of 5612	35.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	28.4	3911 of 5609	30.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	21.6	4555 of 5635	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	33.6	3530 of 5492	35.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	42.2	2939 of 5413	45.7%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	51.0	2222 of 5107	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	41.7	2851 of 5107	44.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	38.7	3006 of 5087	40.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	27.4	3919 of 5084	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	52.5	2124 of 4963	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	58.9	1679 of 4830	65.2%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	47.4	2628 of 5460	51.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	35.5	3488 of 5517	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	27.9	4077 of 5363	24.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	25.7	4197 of 5264	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	50.8	2352 of 5173	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	52.6	2195 of 5084	56.8%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	California percentile	Rating
2025	31.5	3728 of 5628	33.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	28.0	4006 of 5643	29.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	24.5	4293 of 5638	23.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	19.4	4765 of 5663	15.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	51.1	2408 of 5510	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	49.6	2472 of 5431	54.5%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Hispanic (2025)56th percentile+16 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)52nd percentile+11 vs school

Female (2025)47th percentile+6 vs school

Male (2025)34th percentile-7 vs school

Disabled (2022)28th percentile+11 vs school

English Language Learner (2024)14th percentile-19 vs school

By subject vs California (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts/Literacy41%-8 vs state

Science28%-4 vs state

Mathematics28%-10 vs state

4.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★1

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, December 4, 2013

We transferred to get into Carrillo Ranch. It was not worth the effort in my opinion, but everyone is looking for something different. We are very artistic and relational in our family and my children used to LOVE to learn. I feel like the staff is "professional" but not warm. Too much homework, no replies to my notes from teacher, business like impersonal front desk staff who ask me every time who my child is. Our last school knew us by name and communicated often. It felt a lot more like family. Guess you can't have it all.:) Some of the programs are wonderful here! The band teacher is amazing and patient and kind. I'm sure they do their best, but with all the homework, and losing sleep to do it all, we've become chronically late and I don't even care anymore. Sleep matters more than performing like a robot. We have a busy after school life and can't fit all the extra after hours education in. I'm raising a child, not a number. Teacher feedback consists of an automatic email saying if my child was green or red. I hate that. Its based on homework or technical issues and I'd rather it be about character and classwork. Staying in from recess for missing homework is also counterproductive. Kids need to run and play to get out their wiggles and pay attention better when they get back inside. I'm craving an emotional break from all they require. Our quality family time has taken a direct hit due to all the stress of homework, selling door to door for fieldtrips and fundraisers. I'd rather have humble fun fieldtrips that take less out of us just to reduce stress load. I want them to be students, not salesmen, and hometime should be to do chores,play with friends,snuggle with family and bond and experience life together. A little review would be fine, but not the extent we have here. :( Very sad when I think on it too long. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, September 22, 2011

This Magnet Academy for the arts is the best school in California. because of this school my daughter has gotten 100% on every test and she won the school spelling bee! She did this all while enjoying the arts such as drama,music,2 art teachers,a computer teacher,and more to come such as dance,violin, choir ,and keyboard!If I should rate this school I would rate it 1,000,000,000!This school should be AT LEAST number 2 in California! Close Quote

Schools Near Carrillo Ranch Elementary

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				CAST Science (2025)		Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy (2025)				Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2025)				% Completely Immunized (2022)	% Polio (2022)	% Hepatitis B (2022)	% Varicella (2022)	% DTP (2022)	% MMR (2022)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	CAST Science 5th Grade	CAST Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts/Literacy All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 3rd Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 4th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics 5th Grade	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	% Completely Immunized KG	% Polio KG	% Hepatitis B KG	% Varicella KG	% DTP KG	% MMR KG	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Carrillo Ranch Elementary	Public	K-5	43-775 Madison St.	Indio	92201	Riverside County	Desert Sands Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(760) 238-9700	459	21	22.3	89.1%	15 (3.3%)	6 (1.3%)	419 (91.3%)	11 (2.4%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.3%)	36.1	3474^th of 5857 public elementary schools	40.7%		29.9	3932^nd of 5869 public elementary schools	33.0%	458	28.2	28.2	37.5	43.0	42.2	40.9	23.2	33.3	26.5	27.6							$21,142	$3,517	$17,625
Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary	Public	K-5	44-640 Clinton St.	Indio	92201	Riverside County	Desert Sands Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(760) 863-3680	560	27	21.1	89.5%	13 (2.3%)	7 (1.3%)	513 (91.6%)	7 (1.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (3.4%)	13.9	5352^nd of 5857 public elementary schools	8.6%		12.5	5521^st of 5869 public elementary schools	5.9%	169	12.6	12.6	33.3	16.9	20.7	23.5	19.1	12.4	10.3	13.9	96.6						$21,865	$3,328	$18,537
John F. Kennedy Elementary	Public	K-5	45-100 Clinton St.	Indio	92201	Riverside County	Desert Sands Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(760) 775-3840	390	18	21.5	91.3%	2 (0.5%)	3 (0.8%)	376 (96.4%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.1%)	8	5739^th of 5857 public elementary schools	2.0%		10	5686^th of 5869 public elementary schools	3.1%	53	6.7	6.7	12.8	16.7	8.3	12.7	20.9	10.6	1.7	12.3	95.5				95.5		$23,280	$3,427	$19,853
Herbert Hoover Elementary	Public	K-5	44-300 Monroe St.	Indio	92201	Riverside County	Desert Sands Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(760) 775-3820	326	14	24.1	96.9%	6 (1.8%)	2 (0.6%)	298 (91.4%)	6 (1.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (4.0%)	12.8	5434^th of 5857 public elementary schools	7.2%		16.9	5128^th of 5869 public elementary schools	12.6%	306	14.3	14.3	14.0	25.4	20.0	20.4	14.0	20.3	8.2	14.6	92.3				92.3		$22,717	$3,383	$19,334
James Madison Elementary	Public	K-5	80-845 Avenue 46	Indio	92201	Riverside County	Desert Sands Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(760) 775-3850	403	17	23.7	93.5%	8 (2.0%)	2 (0.5%)	359 (89.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (8.2%)	10.5	5603^rd of 5857 public elementary schools	4.3%		15.5	5261^st of 5869 public elementary schools	10.4%	342	7.6	7.6	14.6	28.6	14.0	20.0	6.3	15.7	7.6	10.3							$22,309	$3,505	$18,804
Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies	Public	K-5	45-250 Dune Palms Rd.	Indio	92201	Riverside County	Desert Sands Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(760) 200-3720	748	30	24.9	65.1%	169 (22.6%)	5 (0.7%)	492 (65.8%)	30 (4.0%)	4 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (6.4%)	48.1	2691^st of 5857 public elementary schools	54.1%		43.6	2954^th of 5869 public elementary schools	49.7%	263	37.5	37.5	40.9	47.2	48.4	45.5	43.3	36.8	26.8	35.6	96.8			98.1	97.5	98.1	$19,984	$3,063	$16,921
Richard R. Oliphant Elementary	Public	K-5	41-633 Gore St.	Indio	92203	Riverside County	Desert Sands Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(760) 834-3231	568	26	21.8	76.4%	46 (8.1%)	6 (1.1%)	482 (84.9%)	10 (1.8%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	21 (3.7%)	46.1	2820^th of 5857 public elementary schools	51.9%		42.8	3007^th of 5869 public elementary schools	48.8%	187	22.6	22.6	48.5	50.0	44.3	47.6	48.5	39.8	20.8	36.0	98.3					98.3	$20,163	$2,985	$17,178
Andrew Jackson Elementary	Public	K-5	82-850 Kenner Ave.	Indio	92201	Riverside County	Desert Sands Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(760) 775-3830	750	33	22.7	88.8%	24 (3.2%)	4 (0.5%)	691 (92.1%)	9 (1.2%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (2.7%)	12.8	5431^st of 5857 public elementary schools	7.3%		16.8	5134^th of 5869 public elementary schools	12.5%	297	13.0	13.0	16.8	21.6	23.3	20.6	21.7	18.4	8.6	16.3	95.7			97.8	97.1		$19,142	$3,382	$15,760
Dr. Reynaldo J. Carreon Junior Academy	Public	K-5	47-368 Monroe St.	Indio	92201	Riverside County	Desert Sands Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(760) 863-1544	592	26	22.7	81.1%	13 (2.2%)	3 (0.5%)	546 (92.2%)	17 (2.9%)	1 (0.2%)	4 (0.7%)	8 (1.4%)	30.5	3918^th of 5857 public elementary schools	33.1%		30.2	3907^th of 5869 public elementary schools	33.4%	11	25.8	25.8	32.0	39.5	33.3	34.7	27.8	32.5	23.7	27.8	97.5	98.4		98.4	97.5	98.4	$21,901	$3,323	$18,578
James Monroe Elementary	Public	K-5	42-100 Yucca Ln.	Bermuda Dunes	92203	Riverside County	Desert Sands Unified	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(760) 772-4130	562	22	25.5	69.0%	113 (20.1%)	4 (0.7%)	386 (68.7%)	17 (3.0%)	6 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (6.4%)	69.3	1635^th of 5857 public elementary schools	72.1%		73.6	1425^th of 5869 public elementary schools	75.7%	210	35.8	35.8	47.9	63.5	63.2	58.4	41.5	55.8	61.1	52.9	96.1	98.0	98.0		96.1	98.0	$20,257	$3,229	$17,028

Frequently Asked Questions about Carrillo Ranch Elementary

What schools do graduates of Carrillo Ranch Elementary attend?

Students who attend Carrillo Ranch Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : La Quinta High

What district is Carrillo Ranch Elementary in?

Desert Sands Unified

What is the racial makeup of Carrillo Ranch Elementary?

Students at Carrillo Ranch Elementary are 91% Hispanic, 3% White, 2% Asian, 1% African American, 1% Two or more races.

How many students attend Carrillo Ranch Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 459 students attended Carrillo Ranch Elementary.

Is Carrillo Ranch Elementary a good school?

Carrillo Ranch Elementary ranks 3474^th of 5857 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate Carrillo Ranch Elementary!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.