Desert Ridge Academy

www.dsusd.k12.ca.us

1,030 Students

Middle School 6th - 8th

School Overview

Desert Ridge Academy, located in Indio, California, is a public middle school serving students in grades 6 through 8 as part of the Desert Sands Unified School District. The school is committed to fostering a challenging and supportive academic environment that prepares students for the rigors of high school and beyond. By emphasizing a rigorous curriculum, the academy focuses on developing critical thinking, collaboration, and technological literacy, ensuring that students are well-equipped to navigate a rapidly evolving educational landscape.

Beyond academics, Desert Ridge Academy places a strong value on community involvement and student character development. The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities, athletic programs, and elective courses that allow students to explore their personal interests and build well-rounded identities. With a focus on inclusive practices and student well-being, the campus strives to create a safe, engaging atmosphere where students are encouraged to achieve their personal best while contributing positively to the broader Indio community.

1,030

Total Students

40.4

Full-Time Teachers

25.5

Student/Teacher Ratio

76.1%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Desert Ridge Academy
Demographic	Student Count
White	74
Hispanic	892
Black	12
Asian	13
Two or More	34
American Indian	3
Pacific Islander	1

Hispanic
892 (86.7 %)
White
74 (7.2 %)
Two or More
34 (3.3 %)
Asian
13 (1.3 %)
Black
12 (1.2 %)
American Indian
3 (0.3 %)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.1 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Middle School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	N/A
District:	Desert Sands Unified
Phone:	(760)393-5500
Website:	http://www.dsusd.k12.ca.us
Grade Range:	6th - 8th
Total Students:	1,030
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	40.4
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	25.5
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	634
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	150

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 6 343

Grade 7 348

Grade 8 339