Palm Desert Charter Middle

74-200 Rutledge Way
Palm Desert, CA 92260

www.dsusd.us

Charter School 1,347 Students

Middle School 6th - 8th

School Overview

Palm Desert Charter Middle School (PDCMS), located in the heart of Palm Desert, California, is a prominent member of the Desert Sands Unified School District. As a charter institution, the school is known for offering a specialized educational environment that balances rigorous academic standards with a variety of elective programs. Serving students in grades 6 through 8, the school focuses on developing well-rounded individuals by fostering a culture of high expectations, character development, and community involvement.

The campus is recognized for its commitment to academic excellence and student engagement, utilizing a curriculum that prepares pupils for success in high school and beyond. Beyond the core subjects, PDCMS provides diverse extracurricular opportunities, including athletics, visual and performing arts, and various student organizations, which help create a vibrant campus life. By emphasizing a collaborative relationship between teachers, parents, and the community, Palm Desert Charter Middle School strives to provide a supportive and innovative learning experience tailored to the needs of its diverse student body.

1,347

Total Students

49.9

Full-Time Teachers

27.0

Student/Teacher Ratio

59.2%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Palm Desert Charter Middle
Demographic	Student Count
White	482
Hispanic	670
Black	26
Asian	94
Two or More	69
American Indian	4
Pacific Islander	2

Hispanic
670 (49.7 %)
White
482 (35.8 %)
Asian
94 (7.0 %)
Two or More
69 (5.1 %)
Black
26 (1.9 %)
American Indian
4 (0.3 %)
Pacific Islander
2 (0.1 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Middle School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	N/A
District:	Desert Sands Unified
Phone:	(760)862-4320
Website:	http://www.dsusd.us
Grade Range:	6th - 8th
Total Students:	1,347
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	49.9
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	27.0
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	615
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	182

* 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 6 466

Grade 7 449

Grade 8 432