Desert Willow Fine Arts Sci and Tech Magnet Acad

www.palmdalesd.org/dw

948 Students

Middle School 6th - 8th

School Overview

Desert Willow Middle School, located in Palmdale, California, is a public middle school serving students within the Palmdale School District. The school is committed to fostering a supportive and rigorous academic environment that prepares students for the challenges of high school and beyond. By emphasizing a balanced curriculum that integrates core subjects with opportunities for personal growth, the school aims to cultivate well-rounded individuals who are equipped with the critical thinking and collaborative skills necessary for success in a rapidly changing world.

The school’s culture is centered on the holistic development of its student body, often focusing on character education, student engagement, and community involvement. Through its digital presence, Desert Willow Middle provides families with essential resources, including academic calendars, extracurricular information, and communication channels to bridge the gap between home and school. By maintaining a focus on inclusivity and achievement, the school strives to provide a safe, stable, and stimulating atmosphere where students are encouraged to reach their full potential.

948

Total Students

44.1

Full-Time Teachers

21.5

Student/Teacher Ratio

89.7%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Desert Willow Fine Arts Sci and Tech Magnet Acad
Demographic	Student Count
White	36
Hispanic	754
Black	125
Asian	9
Two or More	15
American Indian	8
Pacific Islander	1

Hispanic
754 (79.5%)
Black
125 (13.2%)
White
36 (3.8%)
Two or More
15 (1.6%)
Asian
9 (0.9%)
American Indian
8 (0.8%)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.1%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Middle School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	N/A
District:	Palmdale Elementary
Phone:	(661)285-5866
Website:	http://www.palmdalesd.org/dw
Grade Range:	6th - 8th
Total Students:	948
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	44.1
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	21.5
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	746
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	104

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 6 253

Grade 7 328

Grade 8 367