Needles Unified School District

1900 Erin Dr.
Needles, CA 92363-2623
(District boundaries shown in map)
3/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

Needles Unified School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:

Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public elementary schools serving 643 students in Needles Unified School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in California.
Public Elementary Schools in Needles Unified School District have an average math proficiency score of 23% (versus the California public elementary school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 28% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public elementary school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
8 Schools
7,677 Schools
# Students
921 Students
3,817,118 Students
# Teachers
49 Teachers
173,969 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Needles Unified School District, which is ranked #1408 of all 1,904 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 95% has increased from 85-89% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (CA)
#1416 out of 1932 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
22%
34%
28%
47%
15%
29%
(21-22)
≥95%
87%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.69
0.64
% American Indian
12%
n/a
% Asian
1%
12%
% Hispanic
35%
56%
% Black
4%
5%
% White
42%
20%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
7%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $25,777 is higher than the state median of $20,100. The school district revenue/student has grown by 36% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $20,212 is higher than the state median of $18,511. The school district spending/student has grown by 24% over four school years.
This School District
This State (CA)
Total Revenue
$24 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$19 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$25,777
$20,100
Spending / Student
$20,212
$18,511

Best Needles Unified School District Public Elementary Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Needles Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
600 Cibola St.
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 326-3891
Gr: 6-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #22.
Chemehuevi Valley Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
81 Mill Rd.
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 858-4222
Gr: K-5 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
Rank: #33.
Vista Colorado Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
700 Bailey Ave.
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 326-2167
Gr: K-5 | 319 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #44.
Needles Middle School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
720 Bailey Ave.
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 326-3894
Gr: 6-8 | 196 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: n/an/a
Monument Peak
149123 New North Rd.
Earp, CA 92242
(760) 386-6987
Gr: K-8 | 70 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 46%

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 8 schools
  • Grades: K-12
  • Enrollment: 921 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 58%
  • : ≥95% (Btm 50% in CA)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 22% (Btm 50%)
  • : 28% (Btm 50%)
  • : 15% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

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