James Workman Middle

Summary:

James Workman Middle is a public middle school in Cathedral City, California, serving 1,028 students in grades 6-8. The school faces significant challenges, including high chronic absenteeism, low test scores, and uneven performance across student subgroups.

James Workman Middle has seen a sharp increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 10.1% in 2018-2019 to 29.0% in 2022-2023, notably higher than the state average of 17.7%. The school's test scores are generally below state and district averages, with proficiency rates of 39.36% in English Language Arts and 24.78% in Mathematics, compared to state averages of 47.04% and 35.54%. While the school's Hispanic and English Language Learner students perform relatively better, the school struggles with its Special Education and Disabled student populations, ranking in the bottom quarter of the state. Additionally, the school has an extremely high rate of free and reduced-price lunch recipients, over 98%, indicating a high concentration of economically disadvantaged students.

When compared to other middle schools in the Palm Springs Unified District and nearby districts, James Workman Middle generally performs below its peers. For instance, Painted Hills Middle and Desert Springs Middle, both in the Palm Springs Unified District, have lower test scores and higher chronic absenteeism rates than James Workman Middle. However, the school has been successful in supporting its homeless student population, who have consistently ranked in the top quartile of the state. Despite this positive indicator, the school's statewide ranking has steadily declined over the past several years, from 1248 out of 2715 California middle schools in 2018-2019 to 1510 out of 2777 in 2023-2024, suggesting a concerning trend of declining academic performance.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 69-300 30th Ave.
       Cathedral City, CA  92234-4921


(760) 770-8540

District: Palm Springs Unified

SchoolDigger Rank:
1510th of 2,777 California Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,792 Help


Feeder schools for James Workman Middle:

Elementary:    Landau Elementary
    Rio Vista Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  23.0 Help
Number of students:  1,027

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
83.0%
White:
6.5%
Asian:
5.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  98.1% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details James Workman Middle ranks worse than 54.4% of middle schools in California. It also ranks first among 5 ranked middle schools in the Palm Springs Unified School District! (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 38.8. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details James Workman Middle has the largest middle school student body size in the Palm Springs Unified School District. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (83%), White (6.5%), Asian (5.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 98.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Palm Springs Unified School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at James Workman Middle is 23, which is the highest among 5 middle schools in the Palm Springs Unified School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare James Workman Middle employs 44.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at James Workman Middle is $12,792, which is the lowest among 5 middle schools in the Palm Springs Unified School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

James Workman Middle:

SchoolDigger ranks James Workman Middle 1510th of 2777 California public middle schools. (See James Workman Middle in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Homeless students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Palm Springs Unified:

SchoolDigger ranks Palm Springs Unified 1055th of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for James Workman Middle

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Compare

Rank History for all students at James Workman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 29.36 1207th 1769 31.8%
2005 47.58 846th 1777 52.4%
2006 53.13 754th 1804 58.2%
2007 34.77 1260th 1999 37.0%
2008 55.72 801st 2005 60.0%
2009 52.82 910th 2063 55.9%
2010 65.78 648th 2179 70.3%
2011 56.32 924th 2236 58.7%
2012 53.64 1001st 2259 55.7%
2013 54.21 1040th 2379 56.3%
2015 42.45 1271st 2477 48.7%
2016 50.50 1099th 2497 56.0%
2017 49.23 1124th 2508 55.2%
2018 42.35 1295th 2480 47.8%
2019 46.71 1248th 2715 54.0%
2022 33.97 1653rd 2740 39.7%
2023 38.26 1521st 2802 45.7%
2024 38.80 1510th 2777 45.6%
See the entire list of California Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at James Workman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.84 907th 1364 33.5%
2019 38.11 746th 1442 48.3%
2022 35.82 937th 1540 39.2%
2023 43.24 646th 1529 57.8%
2024 47.45 506th 1477 65.7%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at James Workman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 24.72 1285th 1538 16.4%
2024 31.76 1035th 1550 33.2%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at James Workman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.52 985th 2230 55.8%
2019 55.79 855th 2369 63.9%
2022 49.04 1051st 2458 57.2%
2023 52.72 939th 2549 63.2%
2024 51.04 1005th 2575 61.0%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at James Workman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 60.49 97th 336 71.1%
2023 63.94 80th 321 75.1%
2024 68.18 76th 394 80.7%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at James Workman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 44.90 1152nd 2262 49.1%
2019 48.27 1102nd 2380 53.7%
2022 34.43 1510th 2509 39.8%
2023 36.86 1424th 2547 44.1%
2024 34.65 1514th 2546 40.5%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at James Workman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.35 1002nd 1369 26.8%
2019 28.10 1085th 1491 27.2%
2022 26.17 1213th 1531 20.8%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at James Workman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 39.76 1258th 2273 44.7%
2019 44.38 1177th 2407 51.1%
2022 33.46 1523rd 2527 39.7%
2023 38.95 1374th 2558 46.3%
2024 42.05 1279th 2547 49.8%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at James Workman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 54.51 252nd 643 60.8%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at James Workman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 47.70 974th 2072 53.0%
2019 52.61 870th 2213 60.7%
2022 39.97 1291st 2359 45.3%
2023 44.49 1137th 2391 52.4%
2024 46.65 1074th 2383 54.9%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at James Workman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.16 884th 1496 40.9%
2019 53.70 724th 1602 54.8%
2022 32.11 1066th 1555 31.4%
2023 41.26 899th 1552 42.1%
2024 30.83 1047th 1535 31.8%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

James Workman Middle Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: California Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Open Quote This school inspire my child to read and be better at technologies. All teachers in James Workman has something that not other teachers do. Instead of making school boring they take it to the next level. They turns the classes into an adventure. One teacher uses classcraft.com to turn boring into adventure Close Quote



Enrollment information for James Workman Middle

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1995 386 51 35 503 6 n/a n/a 0 981
1996 386 51 35 503 6 n/a n/a 0 981
1997 411 46 58 551 10 n/a n/a 0 1076
1998 438 43 61 578 17 n/a n/a 0 1137
1999 426 49 66 641 16 n/a n/a 5 1203
2000 438 50 52 636 11 n/a n/a 7 1194
2001 434 41 68 697 11 n/a n/a 9 1260
2002 419 49 88 813 17 n/a n/a 2 1388
2003 419 49 88 813 17 n/a n/a 2 1388
2004 430 60 85 910 16 n/a n/a 1 1502
2005 431 70 97 1026 12 n/a n/a 1 1637
2006 380 62 96 1044 8 n/a n/a 0 1590
2007 353 52 90 1054 14 n/a n/a 0 1563
2008 340 51 88 1057 13 n/a n/a 0 1549
2009 323 43 76 1123 6 4 1 0 1576
2010 299 44 88 1150 7 4 2 0 1594
2011 254 39 92 1117 7 5 1 0 1515
2012 218 40 93 1143 10 4 6 0 1514
2013 202 41 101 1137 8 2 7 0 1498
2014 196 34 110 1085 9 1 8 0 1443
2015 200 32 103 1049 12 2 15 0 1413
2016 190 33 88 1082 9 3 23 0 1428
2017 162 34 79 1027 6 1 22 0 1331
2018 171 30 75 1080 2 2 25 0 1385
2019 155 31 69 1015 4 2 22 0 1298
2020 144 28 56 991 9 3 23 0 1254
2021 97 22 57 919 7 2 25 0 1129
2022 76 14 52 870 9 2 25 2 1050
2023 71 14 58 849 5 2 29 0 1028
2024 67 17 52 852 6 2 29 2 1027

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at James Workman Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1995 981 36.0 27.3 42.9
1996 981 36.0 27.3 42.9
1997 1076 40.5 26.6 42.7
1998 1137 42.6 26.7 47.5
1999 1203 44.0 27.3 45.4
2000 1194 45.6 26.2 53.7
2001 1260 49.0 25.7 52.2
2002 1388 56.2 24.7 51.9
2003 1388 56.2 24.7 51.9
2004 1502 57.0 26.4 46.6
2005 1637 55.4 29.5 55.7
2006 1590 61.2 26.0 53.6
2007 1563 59.0 26.5 51
2008 1549 68.2 22.7 57.5
2009 1576 60.7 23.2 62.6
2010 1594 59.0 27.0 71.2
2011 1515 n/a n/a 75.2
2012 1514 55.0 27.5 75.1
2013 1498 56.5 26.5 73.8
2014 1443 55.4 26.0 76.2
2015 1413 56.0 25.2 82.7
2016 1428 57.0 25.0 74.2
2017 1331 53.9 24.6 76.6
2018 1385 55.4 25.0 79
2019 1298 54.2 23.9 83.9
2020 1254 n/a n/a 83.7
2021 1129 47.0 24.0 99.4
2022 1050 44.0 23.8 98.1
2023 1028 45.0 22.8 98.6
2024 1027 44.6 23.0 98.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio James Workman Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1995 981 36.0 27.3 42.9
1996 981 36.0 27.3 42.9
1997 1076 40.5 26.6 42.7
1998 1137 42.6 26.7 47.5
1999 1203 44.0 27.3 45.4
2000 1194 45.6 26.2 53.7
2001 1260 49.0 25.7 52.2
2002 1388 56.2 24.7 51.9
2003 1388 56.2 24.7 51.9
2004 1502 57.0 26.4 46.6
2005 1637 55.4 29.5 55.7
2006 1590 61.2 26.0 53.6
2007 1563 59.0 26.5 51
2008 1549 68.2 22.7 57.5
2009 1576 60.7 23.2 62.6
2010 1594 59.0 27.0 71.2
2011 1515 n/a n/a 75.2
2012 1514 55.0 27.5 75.1
2013 1498 56.5 26.5 73.8
2014 1443 55.4 26.0 76.2
2015 1413 56.0 25.2 82.7
2016 1428 57.0 25.0 74.2
2017 1331 53.9 24.6 76.6
2018 1385 55.4 25.0 79
2019 1298 54.2 23.9 83.9
2020 1254 n/a n/a 83.7
2021 1129 47.0 24.0 99.4
2022 1050 44.0 23.8 98.1
2023 1028 45.0 22.8 98.6
2024 1027 44.6 23.0 98.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for James Workman Middle

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $12,792

Data source: California Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on James Workman Middle

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1248th of 2715 Middle schoolsRanks 1521st of 2802 Middle schools
 8.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (James Workman Middle)43.637.9
 5.7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Palm Springs Unified)40.230.9
 9.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)48.544.2
 4.3%
6th Grade Mathematics (James Workman Middle)32.221.3
 11%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Palm Springs Unified)27.220
 7.2%
   6th Grade Mathematics (California)38.533.2
 5.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (James Workman Middle)53.440.9
 12.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Palm Springs Unified)40.934.3
 6.6%
   7th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)51.447.4
 3.9%
7th Grade Mathematics (James Workman Middle)34.227.2
 7%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Palm Springs Unified)25.921
 4.9%
   7th Grade Mathematics (California)37.933.2
 4.7%
8th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (James Workman Middle)48.137.7
 10.4%
   8th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Palm Springs Unified)36.432.3
 4.1%
   8th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)49.445.7
 3.8%
8th Grade Mathematics (James Workman Middle)2921.3
 7.7%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Palm Springs Unified)19.115.1
 4%
   8th Grade Mathematics (California)36.629.9
 6.7%
8th Grade Science (James Workman Middle)26.220.1
 6.1%
   8th Grade Science (Palm Springs Unified)19.416.5
 2.9%
   8th Grade Science (California)30.828.8
 2.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students12981028
 20.8%
African American3114
 54.8%
American Indian45
 25%
Asian6958
 15.9%
Hispanic1015849
 16.4%
Pacific Islander22
White15571
 54.2%
Two or More Races2229
 31.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients83.9%98.6%
 14.7%


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Frequently Asked Questions about James Workman Middle

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,027 students attended James Workman Middle.

James Workman Middle ranks 1510th of 2777 California middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at James Workman Middle are 83% Hispanic, 7% White, 5% Asian, 3% Two or more races, 2% African American.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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