Top Rankings
Needles Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 10%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 918 students in Needles Unified School District. This district's average testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in California.
Public Schools in Needles Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 17% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 57% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
6 Schools
10,369 Schools
# Students
918 Students
5,826,838 Students
# Teachers
49 Teachers
268,018 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Needles Unified School District, which is ranked #1556 of all 1,925 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 95% has increased from 85-89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#1619 out of 1941 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
15%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
28%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
15%
29%
Graduation Rate
≥95%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.69
0.63
% American Indian
12%
1%
% Asian
1%
12%
% Hispanic
35%
56%
% Black
4%
5%
% White
43%
20%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $25,862 is higher than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $20,278 is higher than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$24 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$19 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$25,862
$19,974
Spending / Student
$20,278
$18,396
Best Needles Unified School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Chemehuevi Valley Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
81 Mill Rd.
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 858-4222
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 858-4222
Grades: K-5
| 33 students
Rank: #22.
Needles Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
600 Cibola St.
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 326-3891
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 326-3891
Grades: 6-12
| 15 students
Rank: #33.
Vista Colorado Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
700 Bailey Ave.
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 326-2167
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 326-2167
Grades: K-5
| 327 students
Rank: #44.
Needles High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1600 Washington St.
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 326-2191
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 326-2191
Grades: 9-12
| 267 students
Rank: #55.
Needles Middle School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
720 Bailey Ave.
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 326-3894
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 326-3894
Grades: 6-8
| 206 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Needles Unified School District?
Needles Unified School District manages 6 public schools serving 918 students.
What is the rank of Needles Unified School District?
Needles Unified School District is ranked #1556 out of 1,925 school districts in California (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of California school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 10%) and Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Needles Unified School District?
43% of Needles Unified School District students are White, 35% of students are Hispanic, 12% of students are American Indian, 5% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Needles Unified School District?
Needles Unified School District has a student/teacher ratio of 19:1, which is lower than the California state average of 22:1.
What is Needles Unified School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $20,278 is higher than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
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