About This School
Desert Sands Charter School is located in Palmdale, CA and is one of 15 high schools in Antelope Valley Union High School District. It is a charter school that serves 1867 students in grades 9-12.
Charter schools are public schools, but differ from traditional public schools in that they are independent and are operated by educators, parents, community leaders, educational entrepreneurs, or others. Funding for charter schools is based on designated local or state educational organizations. Those organizations are responsible for monitoring and assessing the quality and effectiveness of education, but permit the schools to operate outside of the traditional public school education system.
Desert Sands Charter School did not make AYP in 2011. Under No Child Left Behind, a school makes Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) if it achieves the minimum levels of improvement determined by the state of California in terms of student performance and other accountability measures. See Desert Sands Charter School's test results to learn more about school performance.
A school's Academic Performance Index (API) is a scale that ranges from 200 to 1000 and is calculated from the school's performance in the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program. The state has set 800 as the API target for all schools to meet.
Desert Sands Charter School had an API growth score of 562 in 2011. California uses the Academic Performance Index (API) to measure annual school performance and year-to-year improvement. Desert Sands Charter School's 2011 base score was 574 and the school did not meet its 2011 school-wide growth target.
In 2008, Desert Sands Charter School had 32 students for every full-time equivalent teacher. The California average is 21 students per full-time equivalent teacher. Learn more about Desert Sands Charter School's students and teachers. more
Charter schools are public schools, but differ from traditional public schools in that they are independent and are operated by educators, parents, community leaders, educational entrepreneurs, or others. Funding for charter schools is based on designated local or state educational organizations. Those organizations are responsible for monitoring and assessing the quality and effectiveness of education, but permit the schools to operate outside of the traditional public school education system.
Desert Sands Charter School did not make AYP in 2011. Under No Child Left Behind, a school makes Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) if it achieves the minimum levels of improvement determined by the state of California in terms of student performance and other accountability measures. See Desert Sands Charter School's test results to learn more about school performance.
A school's Academic Performance Index (API) is a scale that ranges from 200 to 1000 and is calculated from the school's performance in the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program. The state has set 800 as the API target for all schools to meet.
Desert Sands Charter School had an API growth score of 562 in 2011. California uses the Academic Performance Index (API) to measure annual school performance and year-to-year improvement. Desert Sands Charter School's 2011 base score was 574 and the school did not meet its 2011 school-wide growth target.
In 2008, Desert Sands Charter School had 32 students for every full-time equivalent teacher. The California average is 21 students per full-time equivalent teacher. Learn more about Desert Sands Charter School's students and teachers. more
Sponsored Link
Antelope Valley Union High District Spending
$8,017Per Pupil
The Antelope Valley Union High spends $8,017 per pupil in current expenditures. The district spends 61% on instruction, 36% on support services, 3% on other elementary and secondary expenditures. More about Antelope Valley Union High District
Education.com TestRating
The Education.com TestRating is a number (1-10) calculated by Education.com that provides an overview of a school’s test performance for a given year, by comparing the school’s state standardized test results to those of other schools in the same state. For California, the TestRating is calculated using a school's 2011 CST Results for all subjects tested.
See Most Recent Test Scores
High Schools Nearby
Legend:public schoolsprivate schools
| School Name distance | TestRating | Community Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Palmdale High School 1.1 miles |  |
|
| Antelope Valley Rop High School 2.4 miles | n/a | |
| R. Rex Parris High School 2.6 miles |  |
|
| William J. 'Pete' Knight High School 4 miles |  |
|
| Highland High School 5.6 miles |  |
Data Sources: CA Dept. of Education, NCES, MDR.
Walk Score provided by WalkScore.com.
Walk Score provided by WalkScore.com.
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School Facts
- Charter School
- Grades 9-12
- Antelope Valley Union High School District
Did not make AYP
see 2011 test scores
see 2011 test scores
Contact
Desert Sands Charter School3030 East Palmdale Blvd
Palmdale, CA 93550
(661) 272-0044
California Virtual Academies
Full-time, tuition-free public charter school serving California students.
Learn More »Nearby Cities
Test Scores
About the CST
What is it?
The California Standards Test (CST) is an annual exam used to measure a student's mastery of the state's grade-level academic standards. The CST is one of the five components of the STAR Program.
Which Grades and Subjects?
Students are assessed in grades 2 through 11 in English language arts and math, in grades 5, 8 and 10 in science, and in grades 8, 10 and 11 in history/social science. In grades 9 through 11, students may also be assessed in math and science, depending on course enrollment.
How is it Scored?
Students receive one of five ratings: far below basic, below basic, basic, proficient or advanced. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.
About the CAHSEE
What is it?
The California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) is used to measure student mastery of specific skills as determined by the state. Students must pass both sections of the exam in order to graduate from high school.
Which Grades and Subjects?
Each student is assessed in grade 10 in English language arts and math. Students can retake the exam up to five times after grade 10.
How is it Scored?
The CAHSEE is an untimed pass/fail test. The goal is for all students to pass both sections of the test.
English-Language Arts
school
49%
district
72%
state
77%
Math
school
41%
district
65%
state
76%
Algebra I
school
1%
district
12%
state
18%
Biology/Life Sciences
school
14%
district
43%
state
52%
Earth Science
school
7%
district
15%
state
31%
English Language Arts
school
22%
district
39%
state
49%
General Mathematics (Grades 6 & 7 Standards)
school
20%
district
2%
state
18%
Geometry
school
14%
district
31%
state
43%
World History
school
9%
district
60%
state
36%
change 29%
English-Language Arts
school
63%
district
75%
state
79%
change 12%
Math
school
46%
district
71%
state
78%
Algebra I
school
2%
district
4%
state
9%
Biology/Life Sciences
school
7%
district
20%
state
35%
Earth Science
school
8%
district
15%
state
23%
English Language Arts
school
17%
district
34%
state
41%
Geometry
school
4%
district
6%
state
12%
Science - Grade 5, Grade 8, and Grade 10 Life Science
school
9%
district
29%
state
40%
World History
school
10%
district
23%
state
33%
Algebra I
school
3%
district
1%
state
5%
Algebra II
school
7%
district
3%
state
11%
Biology/Life Sciences
school
12%
district
36%
state
39%
Earth Science
school
19%
district
19%
state
28%
English Language Arts
school
22%
district
28%
state
37%
U.S. History
school
15%
district
30%
state
38%
World History
school
20%
district
4%
state
9%
no change
Algebra I
school
1%
district
16%
state
21%
Biology
school
19%
district
36%
state
51%
no change
Earth Science
school
7%
district
17%
state
29%
change 5%
English Language Arts
school
23%
district
41%
state
50%
change 89%
World History
school
17%
district
50%
state
41%
change 6%
English-Language Arts
school
59%
district
59%
state
79%
change 2%
Math
school
47%
district
47%
state
80%
change 50%
Algebra I
school
3%
district
5%
state
11%
Biology
school
12%
district
19%
state
35%
change 38%
Earth Science
school
5%
district
16%
state
23%
change 12%
English Language Arts
school
19%
district
34%
state
44%
no change
Science - Grade 5, Grade 8, and Grade 10 Life Science
school
9%
district
32%
state
44%
change 40%
World History
school
14%
district
26%
state
38%
change 67%
Algebra I
school
5%
district
2%
state
8%
Biology
school
9%
district
38%
state
41%
change 32%
Earth Science
school
13%
district
16%
state
26%
change 32%
English Language Arts
school
15%
district
32%
state
40%
change 40%
U.S. History
school
9%
district
38%
state
44%
change 20%
World History
school
16%
district
2%
state
11%
Algebra I
school
2%
district
11%
state
28%
Biology
school
12%
district
29%
state
42%
Earth Science
school
8%
district
17%
state
28%
Geometry
school
1%
district
13%
state
26%
World History
school
14%
district
27%
state
38%
change 100%
Algebra I
school
2%
district
15%
state
22%
change 5%
Biology
school
20%
district
38%
state
55%
change 14%
Earth Science
school
8%
district
21%
state
35%
change 9%
English Language Arts
school
25%
district
44%
state
54%
change 24%
World History
school
13%
district
71%
state
45%
change 2%
English-Language Arts
school
60%
district
86%
state
81%
change 2%
Math
school
46%
district
82%
state
81%
no change
Algebra I
school
3%
district
5%
state
12%
Algebra II
school
6%
district
15%
state
40%
change 42%
Biology
school
17%
district
24%
state
38%
change 220%
Earth Science
school
16%
district
14%
state
29%
change 16%
English Language Arts
school
16%
district
36%
state
45%
Geometry
school
4%
district
8%
state
14%
change 56%
Science - Grade 5, Grade 8, and Grade 10 Life Science
school
14%
district
34%
state
46%
no change
World History
school
14%
district
29%
state
42%
change 20%
Algebra I
school
4%
district
2%
state
9%
change 44%
Biology
school
13%
district
35%
state
46%
change 15%
Earth Science
school
11%
district
16%
state
32%
change 20%
English Language Arts
school
18%
district
32%
state
43%
change 33%
U.S. History
school
12%
district
37%
state
45%
change 25%
World History
school
12%
district
4%
state
15%
no change
Algebra I
school
2%
district
11%
state
31%
Algebra II
school
2%
district
13%
state
31%
change 17%
Biology
school
14%
district
33%
state
46%
no change
Earth Science
school
8%
district
18%
state
33%
change 100%
Geometry
school
2%
district
10%
state
27%
no change
World History
school
14%
district
31%
state
42%
no change
Algebra I
school
2%
district
14%
state
23%
change 75%
Biology
school
5%
district
40%
state
57%
no change
Earth Science
school
8%
district
21%
state
37%
change 4%
English Language Arts
school
26%
district
46%
state
55%
Geometry
school
0%
district
26%
state
49%
change 100%
World History
school
0%
district
73%
state
48%
change 2%
English-Language Arts
school
59%
district
79%
state
82%
change 4%
Math
school
48%
district
76%
state
83%
no change
Algebra I
school
3%
district
6%
state
13%
change 100%
Algebra II
school
0%
district
12%
state
43%
change 12%
Biology
school
19%
district
26%
state
41%
change 50%
Earth Science
school
8%
district
16%
state
31%
change 31%
English Language Arts
school
21%
district
38%
state
48%
change 50%
Geometry
school
2%
district
14%
state
17%
change 14%
Science - Grade 5, Grade 8, and Grade 10 Life Science
school
16%
district
37%
state
50%
change 29%
World History
school
10%
district
32%
state
45%
no change
Algebra I
school
4%
district
2%
state
9%
Algebra II
school
2%
district
6%
state
16%
change 23%
Biology
school
16%
district
29%
state
49%
Chemistry
school
9%
district
17%
state
29%
change 18%
Earth Science
school
9%
district
18%
state
35%
change 28%
English Language Arts
school
23%
district
38%
state
45%
Geometry
school
1%
district
11%
state
9%
change 33%
U.S. History
school
16%
district
39%
state
48%
change 17%
World History
school
14%
district
11%
state
17%
no change
Algebra I
school
2%
district
11%
state
32%
no change
Algebra II
school
2%
district
14%
state
33%
change 7%
Biology
school
15%
district
33%
state
49%
Chemistry
school
7%
district
25%
state
38%
no change
Earth Science
school
8%
district
19%
state
35%
change 50%
Geometry
school
1%
district
16%
state
31%
change 36%
World History
school
9%
district
33%
state
44%
2
TestRating
2 out of 10
The Education.com TestRating is a number (1-10) calculated by Education.com that provides an overview of a school’s test performance for a given year, by comparing the school’s state standardized test results to those of other schools in the same state. For California, the TestRating is calculated using a school's 2011 CST Results for all subjects tested.
more...
California Virtual Academies
Full-time, tuition-free public charter school serving California students.
Learn More »Students
Enrollment (2010)
Total: 1867
53%
46%
Student Economic Level (2010)
In 2010, Desert Sands Charter School had 60% of students eligible for free or reduced price lunch programs. California had 52% of eligible students for free or reduced price lunch programs. Eligibility for the National School Lunch Program is based on family income levels.Student Ethnicity (2010)
Hispanic
54%
White
27%
Black
16%
Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
American Indian/Alaskan Native
1%
Sponsored Link
32:1STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO
In 2010, Desert Sands Charter School had 32 students for every full-time equivalent teacher.
Compare to other schools in Antelope Valley Union High School DistrictReview Desert Sands Charter School
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Recent Reviews
Desert Sands Charter School
Desert Sands has changed my life. It made me realize that school is important. The teachers here are great and always answer my questions.
Submitted by a Current Student on Apr 16, 2012
About Palmdale, CA
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