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Elementary Schools in Needles, California

Below Average2024–25 data3 schools · avg 36.9/100

Needles, California has 3 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 36.9/100 — 6.9 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Needles High at 57/100, where 10.8% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Needles schools average 7.2% exceeded standard (state: 21.6%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 22.4% (above the state average of 18.1%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
36.9
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
37.6
19.8 – 57.4
Avg Exceeded %
7.2%
State avg: 21.6%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
22.4%
State avg: 18.1%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
3
With Scope Scores

How Needles schools compare

Needles's 3 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 36.9 — 6.9 points below the California state average of 43.8. Scores range from 19.8 to 57.4, a 37.6-point spread.

The top-ranked school is Needles High with a Scope Score of 57 and 10.8% of students exceeding standard.

Ceiling effect detected: Needles schools average 24.4% meeting standard but only 7.2% exceeding it. Most students clear the bar but few are pushed past it — a pattern worth investigating school by school.

Chronic absenteeism in Needles averages 22.4%, which is below the state average of 18.1%.

How we score · Scope Score weights exceeded (40%), met (22%), growth (15%), absenteeism (10%), suspension (5%), ELPAC (5%), baseline (3%)

Schools in Needles ranked by Scope Score

#SchoolExceededScore
1Needles High
Needles Unified Building Momentum
10.8%Solid
57/100
2Vista Colorado Elementary
Needles Unified Building Momentum
7.6%Developing
33/100
3Needles Middle
Needles Unified Building Momentum
3.1%Needs Support
20/100

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

Private Schools in Needles

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

Needles Ag Christian School
African Methodist Episcopal · Grades 1-10 · 7 students
4:1Private

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Needles

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Needles good?
Needles's 3 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 36.9/100, which is 6.9 points below the California state average of 43.8. 7.2% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.6%). The Scope Score weights six dimensions: exceeded standard (40%), met standard (22%), grade-level growth (15%), chronic absenteeism (10%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Needles?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Needles is Needles High with a Scope Score of 57/100 and 10.8% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Needles schools compare to the state average?
Needles elementary schools average a Scope Score of 36.9 vs. the statewide average of 43.8 (6.9 points below). The exceeded rate averages 7.2% vs. 21.6% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 22.4% vs. 18.1% statewide. Scores range from 19.8 to 57.4, a 37.6-point spread.
How many schools are in Needles?
Needles has 3 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.

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