John Glenn Middle School of International Studies, Indio CA

Original Research by School Decision on John Glenn Middle School of International Studies

John Glenn Middle School of International Studies serves grades six through eight in Indio, a city in the Coachella Valley east of Los Angeles that functions as the valley's largest population center. The school enrolls a population that is substantially Hispanic, with a large share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Just under two-thirds of students appear to be economically disadvantaged by that measure. The enrollment spans roughly even numbers across the three grades.

In math, the school's proficiency rates run from the low to mid-range. Sixth graders show the lowest attainment, while seventh and eighth grade performance edges upward slightly but remains modest. In English language arts, proficiency is somewhat stronger than math, with performance creeping up to its highest point in eighth grade. Science proficiency, measured only in eighth grade, sits notably lower than both math and ELA. The school's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among Riverside County districts, a position that reflects solid standing relative to peers, though absolute proficiency levels remain below where most families would hope to see them.

The school building is located on Miles Avenue in central Indio, positioned near the city's historic downtown and civic district, which is undergoing revitalization. Indio itself is a growing community of affordable, suburban character dominated by detached single-family homes. It draws visitors globally for the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals but functions daily as a working community where healthcare, retail, construction, and hospitality employment dominate. Housing costs have remained moderate relative to coastal Southern California, making the area a migration destination for families seeking affordability. Home values in the school's zip code have dipped slightly year over year, while rental costs have ticked upward. Renters in the area spend a substantial portion of household income on housing.

The district, Desert Sands Unified, recently won voter approval for a substantial bond measure in March 2024 directed at upgrading aging school facilities across the system. Many schools in the district are decades old and lack modern climate control and learning spaces suited to the region's heat. The bond extends the current local property tax rate through the mid-2040s rather than raising it, so families weighing this community should factor that long-term tax commitment into their property decisions.

State testing data was reported only for the 2024-25 school year, so multi-year trend information to show whether proficiency has been rising, stable, or declining is not available. Information on the school's gifted programs, special education services, English learner supports, or other specialized offerings was not provided. No data on school attendance, discipline, or staffing profile was included. A parent may want to contact the school directly to learn about these dimensions of student support and the particular academic structure of its international studies focus.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 636%

School 36% · District 26% · ▲ 10 pts above district

▲ 5 pts above state median · ▲ 11 pts above county median

Grade 742%

School 42% · District 25% · ▲ 17 pts above district

▲ 12 pts above state median · ▲ 19 pts above county median

Grade 843%

School 43% · District 20% · ▲ 23 pts above district

▲ 15 pts above state median · ▲ 21 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 644%

School 44% · District 37% · ▲ 7 pts above district

▲ 1 pts above state median · ▲ 3 pts above county median

Grade 742%

School 42% · District 40% · ▲ 3 pts above district

▼ 3 pts below state median · even with county median

Grade 846%

School 46% · District 35% · ▲ 11 pts above district

▲ 2 pts above state median · ▲ 4 pts above county median

Science

Grade 823%

School 23% · District 21% · ▲ 3 pts above district

▼ 2 pts below state median · ▼ 1 pts below county median

Social studies

Grade 863%

School 63% · District 50% · ▲ 13 pts above district

▲ 14 pts above state median · ▲ 13 pts above county median

This schoolDesert Sands Unified, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 6Lower-income37%Higher-income62%25 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income37%Higher-income53%15 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income37%Higher-income64%28 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 6Lower-income30%Higher-income50%21 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income34%Higher-income60%26 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income35%Higher-income60%24 pp gap