Palm Valley School closes after 74 years amid bankruptcy, leaving parents devastated; its 36-acre California campus with 53 classrooms is up for sale for $14 million
A 74-year-old private school in Southern California has been put up for sale for $14 million, just months after abruptly shutting its doors and filing for bankruptcy.The former campus of Palm Valley School (PVS) in Rancho Mirage is now on the market following the school’s closure in June, according to California Post. The sprawling 36-acre property includes separate buildings for its preschool, lower school, middle school and upper school, along with extensive sports and recreational facilities.According to the property listing, the campus features 53 classrooms, a full gymnasium, a science laboratory and an outdoor amphitheater. Its sports facilities include a baseball field, softball field, soccer/lacrosse/football field and basketball courts, as well as multiple parking areas.
School closed after 74 years
The 36-acre Palm Valley School campus, featuring 53 classrooms and extensive sports facilities, is now listed for $14 million. (Photo: Google Maps)
Palm Valley School was founded in 1952 and had operated from its Rancho Mirage campus since 1992. According to its website, which remains online despite the closure, it was the only private, co-educational, non-religious college-preparatory day school in the Coachella Valley.The school’s sudden closure came after months of uncertainty over its finances, leaving families and staff struggling to understand how an institution that had appeared to be preparing for another academic year could shut down so quickly.The school’s financial troubles first became known to parents in April, when administrators reportedly told families that PVS was exploring a potential partnership or merger with an international educational organisation, according to the Coachella Valley Independent.Parents were subsequently urged to submit enrollment contracts and deposits by May 1.
Parents were told the school could stay open
Palm Valley School’s closure left parents and staff devastated after months of uncertainty over the institution’s financial future. (Photo: Google Maps)
In May, the school announced that it had received a financial gift that would allow it to remain open for the following academic year and potentially beyond.However, the optimism was short-lived.Just a week later, the school informed families that it was budgeting for 245 students for the 2026-27 academic year and would need to increase enrollment to address its ongoing financial challenges.By June, the situation had changed dramatically. Palm Valley School announced that it would file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and would not reopen for the 2026-27 academic year.The abrupt decision left parents and employees feeling that they had been given false reassurance about the institution’s financial position.
Teacher says community was ‘devastated’
Speaking to the Coachella Valley Independent, PVS teacher and parent Shaymi Ristaino said the school community had not been adequately informed about the severity of its financial problems.“The board didn’t approach us to find other ways to keep the school open. They had lied to us about where we were (financially) and about the families and teachers who were trying to raise money to help the school. It was devastating for me. I enjoyed working there,” Ristaino said.Ristaino not only lost her job following the closure but also said she did not receive back the enrollment fee she had paid for her daughter.
