7 Desert Sands USD Campuses Make ERP's 2026 California Honor Roll

PALM DESERT, CA — A nonprofit that uses data science and predictive analytics to improve student outcomes has placed seven Desert Sands Unified School District campuses on its 2026 California Honor Roll.

The annual Educational Results Partnership California Honor Roll recognizes schools and districts that show high student academic achievement, consistent improvement over time, and success in closing achievement gaps.

The 2026 California Honor Roll follows the Oct. 15 release of statewide results for the 2026 Smarter Balanced Assessments (administered in California through the CAASPP program).

The seven DSUSD campuses that made the ERP 2026 California Honor Roll are:

• George Washington Charter School
• Gerald R. Ford Elementary School
• James Earl Carter Elementary School
• James Monroe Elementary School
• Palm Desert Charter Middle School
• Palm Desert High School
• Ronald Reagan Elementary School

This year, 2,080 schools and 168 school districts in California made the Honor Roll. This represents 24% of all schools and 22% of districts in the state.

This is the 12th year that ERP has completed the Honor Roll list, which recognizes top public schools, school districts and charter schools that have outperformed their peers in closing achievement gaps, particularly among higher-poverty and historically disadvantaged student populations.

The ERP works in partnership with state business leaders representing 28 chambers of commerce across the state.

“We cannot predict every career that will exist tomorrow, but we can recognize the schools doing an exceptional job of preparing students for whatever the future holds,” said Alex Barrios, president and CEO of ERP. “At a time of unprecedented technological change, the ability to think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, and continue learning will be more valuable than ever."

The full list of Honor Roll schools is now posted at: www.honorrollschools.com. Learn more about how Honor Roll schools and districts are identified by reading the ERP methodology.