Needles Unified School District

1900 Erin Dr.
Needles, CA 92363-2623
(District boundaries shown in map)
2/
10
Bottom 50%

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
268,012 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1

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.
This School District
State Average (CA)
#1619 out of 1941 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of Needles Unified  School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
15%
33%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Needles Unified  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
28%
47%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Needles Unified  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
15%
29%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Needles Unified  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
≥95%
87%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of Needles Unified  School District and public school graduation rate of California by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.69
0.63
# American Indian Students
111 Students
25,796 Students
% American Indian Students
12%
1%
# Asian Students
11 Students
705,807 Students
% Asian Students
1%
12%
# Hispanic Students
317 Students
3,264,561 Students
% Hispanic Students
35%
56%
# Black Students
34 Students
286,112 Students
% Black Students
4%
5%
# White Students
393 Students
1,178,558 Students
% White Students
43%
20%
# Hawaiian Students
2 Students
23,731 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
50 Students
333,755 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
6%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
-
83
# Students in K Grade:
73
522,456
# Students in 1st Grade:
59
396,605
# Students in 2nd Grade:
63
414,466
# Students in 3rd Grade:
68
416,628
# Students in 4th Grade:
86
426,361
# Students in 5th Grade:
66
430,587
# Students in 6th Grade:
66
432,997
# Students in 7th Grade:
75
439,621
# Students in 8th Grade:
85
441,777
# Students in 9th Grade:
57
466,534
# Students in 10th Grade:
79
476,585
# Students in 11th Grade:
84
469,511
# Students in 12th Grade:
57
492,627
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

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.
This School District
This State (CA)
Total Revenue
$24 MM
$116,387 MM
This chart displays total revenue of Needles Unified  School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$19 MM
$107,188 MM
This chart displays total spending of Needles Unified  School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$25,862
$19,974
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in Needles Unified  School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$20,278
$18,396
This chart displays average spending per public school student in Needles Unified  School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in California by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Needles Unified School District Public Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Chemehuevi Valley Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
81 Mill Rd.
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 858-4222
Grades: K-5
| 33 students
Rank: #22.
Needles Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
600 Cibola St.
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 326-3891
Grades: 6-12
| 15 students
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
Grades: K-5
| 327 students
Rank: #44.
Needles High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1600 Washington St.
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 326-2191
Grades: 9-12
| 267 students
Rank: #55.
Needles Middle School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
720 Bailey Ave.
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 326-3894
Grades: 6-8
| 206 students
Rank: n/an/a
Monument Peak
149123 New North Rd.
Earp, CA 92242
(760) 326-3891
Grades: K-8
| 70 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.

Recent Articles

What Is A Charter School?
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
We explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 6 schools
  • Grades: KG-12
  • Enrollment: 918 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 19:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 57%
  • : ≥95% (Top 10% in CA)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 15% (Btm 50%)
  • : 28% (Btm 50%)
  • : 15% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education

Quick Links