Desert Sands Unified

Palm Desert High is a Distinguished School and has been recognized as a Gold Ribbon School, a California Honor Roll School, and for nine continuous years ranked among the best high schools in the nation according to the Challenge Index published by US News, Newsweek Magazine and the Washington Post. These same publications rank Palm Desert High School as the #1 school  in the Coachella Valley. 

Palm Desert High School has high expectations for student achievement and has a reputation for academic and extra-curricular excellence. We offer an AP Capstone Diploma and a variety of academic pathways including a Health Careers Academy, Engineering Pathway, Film Pathway, Business Management Pathway, California Cadet Corps, and AVID. PDHS offers award winning choral groups, instrumental band groups, and academic competition groups.  Athletics are also a major part of the school culture and compete at a very high level.  Palm Desert High school has won a total of thirty-three CIF titles and has been CIF runner-up another thirty-one times since the school has opened. 

In short, Palm Desert High School offers a well-rounded high school experience with excellent academic and extracurricular activities.  There is something for everyone here at Palm Desert High School and preparing students for future success through rigorous learning experiences is a critical focus.