Original Research by School Decision on Amistad High (continuation)
Amistad High is a continuation school in Indio serving high school students in grades eleven and twelve. Continuation schools, also called alternative schools, enroll students who have struggled in traditional high school settings, typically those who are behind in credits, have attendance challenges, or face barriers that make conventional school pathways difficult.
The student body is almost entirely Hispanic, drawn from a community with very high economic need. The vast majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The enrollment is small, concentrated almost entirely in the upper grades. This composition and size mean Amistad functions very differently from a comprehensive high school. It is built to serve students with specific circumstances rather than a broad cross-section of the district's population.
State test data for the most recent year shows proficiency rates well below what is typical even for continuation schools. Results in English language arts, mathematics, and science are all very low. A parent should understand that continuation schools by design serve students whose academic preparation and engagement differ markedly from traditional high schools, and test results in these settings often reflect the depth of challenge students bring to the school rather than a measure of the school's effectiveness at supporting them. That said, these particular proficiency numbers are stark, and a parent exploring this school would want to ask directly about the school's academic model, support structures, interventions, and what pathway to graduation and post-secondary outcomes the school offers. State assessment data alone does not tell the full story of a continuation school's value, but it is important to inquire what classroom instruction, credit recovery, counseling, career connections, or other supports help students move forward.
No graduation rate data, attendance data, or discipline data are available in the public record for this school. That absence is not unusual for alternative schools in some reporting systems, but a parent considering enrollment should ask the school directly for its graduation rates, what percentage of students earn a diploma versus other completions, and how the school tracks student progress toward exit.
Amistad is part of Desert Sands Unified, which serves the Coachella Valley. In March 2024, district voters approved a significant facilities bond to repair and upgrade aging school buildings across the district, many more than decades old. That bond extends the existing property tax rate through a set year rather than raising it, a long-term commitment embedded in the district's tax base. For a family moving to the area or considering Indio schools, that context matters alongside the individual school choice.
Indio itself is a growing suburban city of mid-sized population in the Coachella Valley, known for the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals and serving as the valley's largest residential hub. The housing market is more affordable than coastal Southern California, with median home values and rents reflecting that positioning. New residential development is underway, including major mixed-use and age-restricted communities, alongside downtown revitalization efforts. The local economy centers on healthcare, retail, construction, agriculture, and hospitality tied to tourism and festivals. Public transit exists through SunLine Transit, though the city remains largely auto-oriented outside its walkable downtown core.
For a family, Amistad represents an alternative pathway for a high school student who needs a different setting from a traditional comprehensive school. The very small enrollment and upper-grade focus mean it is designed for students close to graduation or needing accelerated or flexible credit recovery. Understanding what that school actually delivers—its curriculum, supports, and outcomes for students it serves—requires direct conversation with the school beyond what test scores alone convey.
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