7.3 avg / 10

Best Schools in Needles, California

9 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 4 High · 1 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 6

Private: 3

Districts: 1

Avg Rating: 7.3/10

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%

How Needles compares

California rank

#65 of 596

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

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 measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

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.

Filter by Level: All Levels (9) Elementary (3) Middle (1) High (4)

Filter by Type: All Types (9) Public (6) Private (3)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (9) Academics (9) Growth (4) Diversity (4) Resources (4)

Filter by ZIP: 92363 (9)

Elementary Schools

3 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Chemehuevi Valley Elementary 33 students · Kindergarten–5th	33	Kindergarten–5th	9.5
2	Vista Colorado Elementary 327 students · Kindergarten–5th	327	Kindergarten–5th	4.2
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	14	Kindergarten–8th	Not Rated

Middle Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Needles Middle 206 students · 6th–8th	206	6th–8th	7.4

High Schools

4 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Needles High 267 students · 9th–12th	267	9th–12th	8.0
2	Educational Training Center 12 students · 9th–12th	12	9th–12th	—
3	Needles Community Day 15 students · 6th–12th	15	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	8	Kindergarten–12th	Not Rated

Other Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	NEEDLES AG CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Private 7 students · 1st–10th	7	1st–10th	Not Rated

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

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.

Quick Facts

State: California
Total Schools: 9
Elementary: 3
Middle: 1
High: 4
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 7.3/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Needles schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Needles 📊 Niche Needles Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School District

Needles Unified

7 schools · 930 students

Other Major Cities in California

Top metros statewide by school count.

Los Angeles 928 schools San Diego 412 schools San Jose 335 schools San Francisco 297 schools Sacramento 273 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently 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, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

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 7.4/10.

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 8.0/10.

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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.