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Elementary Schools in Needles, California: 1 schools. Average score 7.7 points below the state. Here is what that number does — and doesn't — tell you.

Below Average2024–25 data1 schools · avg 37.2/100

Needles, California has 1 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 37.2/100 — 7.7 points below the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is Vista Colorado Elementary at 37/100, where 7.6% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Needles schools average 7.6% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 18.6% (near the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
37.2
State avg: 44.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
0.0
37.2 – 37.2
Avg Exceeded %
7.6%
State avg: 21.3%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
18.6%
State avg: 17.9%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
1
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary1Developing
37.2/100
7.6%-7.7
High1Solid
51.6/100
10.8%+7.9
Middle1Needs Support
20.8/100
3.1%-21.9

How Needles schools compare

Needles has 1 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 37.2/100 — 7.7 points below the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Vista Colorado Elementary with a Scope Score of 37 and 7.6% of students exceeding standard.

Chronic absenteeism in Needles averages 18.6% — near the state average of 17.9%.

How we score · Weighted composite of test performance, growth, and school climate · Full weights on the methodology page

For the data nerds

Every school in Needles

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Needles High
Needles Unified Building Momentum
10.8%Solid
52/100
2Vista Colorado Elementary
Needles Unified Building Momentum
7.6%Developing
37/100
3Needles Middle
Needles Unified Building Momentum
3.1%Needs Support
21/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 3 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools

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

Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Needles good?
Needles's 1 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 37.2/100, which is 7.7 points below the state average. 7.6% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.3%). The Scope Score weights 6 dimensions for elementary schools: exceeded standard (38%), grade 3-to-5 growth (27%), met or exceeded (proficient) (20%), chronic absenteeism (5%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC English Learner 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 Vista Colorado Elementary with a Scope Score of 37/100 and 7.6% 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 37.2/100 — 7.7 points below the state average of 44.8. The exceeded rate averages 7.6% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 18.6% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in Needles?
Needles has 1 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 seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline 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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