2023 Best Schools with Gifted and Talented Programs in the Palm Springs Area

• Desert Sands Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  542 reviews

Senior: I think Palm Desert High schools education was really good. I learned a lot in my four years attending the school and all the teachers seemed like they cared a lot. The only reason I bumped it down to four stars was that there are a lot of kids at the school that don’t care enough about being there. Often times they cause trouble that affects all the students which is just a headache. Things like pulling the fire alarm during state testing really bothered me and got a lot of people in trouble. However, the school and its staff alone are great!... Read 542 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,122

• Student-teacher ratio 28:1

• Desert Sands Unified School District, CA•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: My children have been attending this school over the last 13 years. We have never left, no matter where we have lived and never will until they have all moved up. This school feels like home, the kids and their academic level of achievements is always so high and the teachers and staff make this school so enjoyable to be a part of. The curriculum they implement is outstanding. This is the BEST school in this valley. I love seeing the changes over all the years and seeing so many families switch over to James Monroe from the private schools and other public schools.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 586

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Desert Sands Unified School District, CA•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 741

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Desert Sands Unified School District, CA•

• PK, K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 528

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Desert Sands Unified School District, CA•

• PK, K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 624

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Palm Springs Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  419 reviews

Senior: Palm Springs High School is a great school full of educators and staff who want to help every student succeed in any and every way possible. They go out of their way to find any opportunities, through school visits from professionals, educators and mentors, for students of different backgrounds and situations and are there for you anytime you ask. This school is very accepting and willing to learn about our current generation and are generally involved in school events pertaining our interests. The school listens to our complaints and constantly looks for ways to fix them. Students and parents are very connected through social media, family nights and zoom conferences that allows parents to know as much information as possible. Palm Springs High School is an amazing school with people all around who actually care about our education and future.... Read 419 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,589

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Desert Sands Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 2 out of 5  2 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,298

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Desert Sands Unified School District, CA•

• PK, K-5

• grade B+

• Students 805

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Desert Sands Unified School District, CA•

• PK, K-5

• grade B+

• Students 801

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Desert Sands Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  708 reviews

Senior: La Quinta High School gave me many opportunities to have fun while staying safe and respectful. I was able to enjoy all 4 years of highschool with many friends and faculty, many of those relationships came from school related activities. I’ve grown close with teachers and staff and felt respected as a student. La Quinta High School overall has been a great environment to attend everyday and has set me up academically for the future!... Read 708 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 2,582

• Student-teacher ratio 29:1

• Desert Sands Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  7 reviews

Parent: By far the best Middle School (academically) in the Desert. Teachers are really great, they prepare students very well for high school. The school by itself is beautiful and very well located. This is a IB school.... Read 7 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,092

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Desert Sands Unified School District, CA•

• PK, K-5

• grade B+

• Students 663

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Desert Sands Unified School District, CA•

• PK, K-5

• grade B+

• Students 537

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Palm Springs Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Niche User: My overall experience with this school was great, had great staff loving parent groups in which they'd motivate us to accomplish our goals and succeed in our education.... Read 3 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 606

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Palm Springs Unified School District, CA•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Freshman: This is one of the best schools I have ever attended! The teachers are so welcoming and they LOVE their jobs. I had enrolled in 7th grade during this pandemic (2020-2021) and I excelled. Our teachers were always an email away. The kids were so nice! Cielo Vista guided me through the process of skipping a grade. My teachers were so supportive. I am sad to leave because I was never in person to meet my teachers and friends. I can't say much about the academics because of the pandemic and it was really easy for me but for your child it might be just right. Though, if you are in 7th grade Honors, you will be doing a lot of reading, and writing combined with video production. Encourage your child to do Spanish 1 and 2 so you don't need to take it in highschool! The 7th grade science teacher was so involved with my science fair and with her help, I made it to Broadcom. My English teacher was very supportive as well. My math teacher gave me the resources to excell too. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!... Read 2 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 871

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Palm Springs Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  148 reviews

Junior: This is my second year at Rancho Mirage high school and it was such a great experience being there. I met great people and got to know great teachers. The staff at the high school is so caring and it always there for every single student. Now the students are great people as well, so welcoming and are always supporting each other. You will never feel not welcomed being at the high school. This is my third year being in AVID, but my first year being in person which the AVID class at Rancho. I met amazing people in that class specifically and made great friendships also. One thing I can say maybe needs a change at that school is to be a little more strict on students because I believe a lot slides sometimes. Besides that, great school!... Read 148 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,518

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Desert Sands Unified School District, CA•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  10 reviews

Senior: Horizon is a great school for those who are willing to learn but need to learn at their own pace. The alternative education style makes it easier to connect with teachers and truly understand the course material you are studying. The teachers are all very sweet and amazing!... Read 10 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 780

• Student-teacher ratio 56:1

• Palm Springs Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  4 reviews

Niche User: I when to Rancho Mirage Elementary school, I enjoy ever moment of it. The teachers are very nice and caring for their students. We had fun programs and event happening. They help us explain our knowledge and dreams to the next level. I recommend this school to all my friends and family.... Read 4 reviews

• grade B

• Students 365

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Desert Sands Unified School District, CA•

• PK, K-5

• grade B

• Students 587

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Desert Sands Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  443 reviews

Alum: Teachers and faculty very supportive of students. Strong performing arts department and sports program. Most students show great care in school pride and activities. SHHS is overall a great school, but is lacking in STEM programs and opportunities. There is only two academic based club that compete, while other schools in Orange County, LA, and Bay Area have multiple clubs that compete in different subjects (Mock Trial, Model UN, Quiz Bowl, Math Competitions, ISEF, Science Olympiads, etc...). I believe this school would be better if more competitive organizations were promoted/created. Our advanced science department could be stronger, especially in chemistry. The school does a great job of promoting academic readiness through AVID and school-sponsored college readiness events. However, I wish the school helped the students discover other pathways to college besides UC and CSUs. I feel that college application and essay review sessions for applications would have really helped.... Read 443 reviews

• grade B

• Students 1,952

• Student-teacher ratio 27:1

• Palm Springs Unified School District, CA•

• K-5

• grade B

• Students 663

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Desert Sands Unified School District, CA•

• PK, K-5

• grade B

• Students 577

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Desert Sands Unified School District, CA•

• 6-8

• grade B

• Students 520

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Desert Sands Unified School District, CA•

• PK, K-5

• grade B

• Students 501

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Palm Springs Unified School District, CA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  541 reviews

Junior: This school is definitely worth it. The school has some of the best academies like DATA and HEAL and is also an IB school. The teachers here are absolutely amazing and always take time to get to know their students. Class sizes especially for honors, AP, and IB classes are reasonable and with me being an IB diploma student it felt like family. This school is also know for their amazing performing arts programs. We have award-winning programs like band, choir, and ballet folklorico and we also have a vibrant art program. The students here are extremely friendly and accepting. We have students from many different backgrounds yet we all have a very strong bond with each other. There is plenty of clubs and sports! And there is always something to do every week. The only issues I honestly had with this school was administration failing to listen to their staff and students on issues like dress-code and school policies.However, we the students are working to change that!... Read 541 reviews

• grade B

• Students 1,607

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1