Best Schools in Needles, California
9 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 4 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Needles?
Use this page to compare every school in Needles by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Chemehuevi Valley Elementary
Elementary · Needles Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Needles High
High · Needles Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Needles Middle
Middle · Needles Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Needles for 2026 are Chemehuevi Valley Elementary (9.5/10), Needles High (7.3/10), and Needles Middle (6.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
9
6 public · 3 private
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$138,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
9
6 public · 3 private
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$138,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +9.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Needles schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Needles
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 9). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemehuevi Valley Elementary | 9.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Needles High | 7.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Needles Middle | 6.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Vista Colorado Elementary | 5.9 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.3/10
- Median household income
- $40,226
- Median home value
- $138,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 9%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 56%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Needles compares
California rank
#122 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.0
above California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$40k
40% of California median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Needles, California
Needles, California is home to 9 schools, including 6 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.3 out of 10, schools in Needles perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Needles is Chemehuevi Valley Elementary with a composite score of 9.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Needles is served by 1 school district: Needles Unified. These districts collectively serve 930 students.
Needles's community shows 9% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $40,226. The poverty rate in the area is 28.2%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 33 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.5 | ||
| 2 | 327 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.9 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Needles Sda School
Private
14 students · Kindergarten–8th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 206 students · 6th–8th | 6.3 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 267 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 | ||
| 2 | 12 students · 9th–12th | — | ||
| 3 | 15 students · 6th–12th | — | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Notyourregularchurch
Private
8 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Needles Ag Christian School
Private
7 students · 1st–10th | — |
Schools in Needles
Needles, California · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$40,226
Median Home Value
$138,900
Median Rent
$738/mo
Population
5,392
College Educated
9%
Homeownership
56%
Poverty Rate
28.2%
Community Profile
Needles has a median household income of $40,226. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $138,900, with a median rent of $738/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 4
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Needles, California
How many schools are in Needles, California?
Needles has 9 schools, including 6 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Needles, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Needles is 7.3 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Needles, California?
The top-ranked school in Needles on MySchoolScout is Chemehuevi Valley Elementary with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Needles, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Needles on MySchoolScout is Chemehuevi Valley Elementary with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Needles, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Needles on MySchoolScout is Needles Middle with a composite score of 6.3/10.
What is the best high school in Needles, California?
The top-ranked high school in Needles on MySchoolScout is Needles High with a composite score of 7.3/10.
How many school districts serve Needles, California?
Needles is served by 1 school district: Needles Unified.
What is the education level in Needles, California?
According to Census data, 9% of adults in Needles have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Needles, California?
The median household income in Needles is approximately $40,226 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Needles, California?
Yes, Needles has 3 private schools alongside 6 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Needles, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Needles is 13.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Needles, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.