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Excellent

#24 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 1% in state

Chemehuevi Valley Elementary

Elementary School · Needles Unified

1900 Erin Dr., Needles, CA 92363

Enrollment

33

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

9.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Needles

#1 of 4

public schools

California elementary schools

#23 of 5,817

In district

#1 of 5

Needles Unified

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Chemehuevi Valley Elementary

Chemehuevi Valley Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Needles, California, with an enrollment of 33 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1. That small scale translates directly into focused instruction and consistent adult attention for every child on campus. The school's academic performance is exceptional by any measure.

Chemehuevi Valley ranks 24th out of 9,533 public schools across California — a standing that places it ahead of every other school in the state at the elementary level. Its composite score of 9.5 out of 10 reflects strong academics (8.6) and a perfect growth score of 10.0, meaning students here are not just performing well but accelerating faster than peers statewide. Among California's 5,817 elementary schools, it holds the 23rd spot — a remarkable result for a school of its size.

For families in Needles comparing local options, Chemehuevi Valley sits at number one among the four public schools in the area. Parents looking for a public elementary school where individual students get real attention and achievement data backs up the reputation will find the numbers here unusually compelling. The combination of near-perfect growth scores and top-percentile academic ratings makes this school worth serious consideration for any family in the region.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 33 students, Chemehuevi Valley Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Chemehuevi Valley Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress10.0Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+6.95 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.4%
Math vs. State Avg+6.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.3 pts
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected+23.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,418

Chemehuevi Valley Elementary — Students at Chemehuevi Valley Elementary score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 26.1%
School
State
35.6%
ELA Proficiency 28.7%
School
State
47.1%

Based on 4 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2024
Math
42.1%
ELA
47.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 10.0/10.

How Chemehuevi Valley Elementary Compares

See how Chemehuevi Valley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.5/10
100th percentile in CA
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
10.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

Location

1900 Erin Dr., Needles, CA 92363

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chemehuevi Valley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Monument Peak (rated 8.6/10, 25.2 miles away, in nearby Big River), with a comparable rating. Another option is Topock Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Topock), a more accessible option. Additionally, Oro Grande Classical Academy (rated 7.9/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Lake Havasu City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Needles, see our Needles schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.0 mi
School Distance Rating
WAVE-Central Campus Kingman 3.7 mi
Nautilus Elementary School Lake Havasu City 3.7 mi 5.4
Havasuonline Lake Havasu City 4.5 mi 4.7
OUR LADY OF THE LAKE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lake Havasu City 5.3 mi 5.9
Smoketree Elementary School Lake Havasu City 5.2 mi 5.3
Lake Havasu High School Lake Havasu City 5.2 mi 5.7
Havasupai Elementary School Lake Havasu City 5.3 mi 5.6
Telesis Preparatory Academy Lake Havasu City 5.3 mi 6.2
Telesis Preparatory Lake Havasu City 5.3 mi 5.0
Starline Elementary School Lake Havasu City 6.6 mi 5.5
Jamaica Elementary School Lake Havasu City 7.0 mi 4.6
Thunderbolt Middle School Lake Havasu City 7.2 mi 5.3
Havasu Preparatory Academy Phoenix 7.8 mi 4.1
Oro Grande Classical Academy Lake Havasu City 8.4 mi 7.9
Topock Elementary School Topock 18.7 mi 8.0
NotYourRegularChurch Needles 21.0 mi
Monument Peak Big River 25.2 mi 8.6
Blake Primary School Parker 25.6 mi 7.1
Parker Alternative School Parker 25.7 mi 7.0
Needles SDA School Needles 25.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92363 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$40,226

Median Home Value

$138,900

Median Rent

$738/mo

Population

5,392

College Educated

8.9%

Homeownership

56.2%

Poverty Rate

28.2%

Median Age

49.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Chemehuevi Valley Elementary 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.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Kings Mountain Elementary Woodside, CA 9.6
Casterlin Elementary Blocksburg, CA 9.2
Hornbrook Elementary Hornbrook, CA 9.0
PHASE3 LAB SCHOOL Redlands, CA 8.3
L'HERITAGE FRANCAIS La Habra, CA 8.2
CAMARILLO PROGRESSIVE MONTESSORI Camarillo, CA 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chemehuevi Valley Elementary

What grades does Chemehuevi Valley Elementary serve?

Chemehuevi Valley Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Chemehuevi Valley Elementary?

Chemehuevi Valley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 33 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chemehuevi Valley Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Chemehuevi Valley Elementary is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chemehuevi Valley Elementary rank in CA?

Chemehuevi Valley Elementary is ranked #24 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Chemehuevi Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Chemehuevi Valley Elementary has a composite rating of 9.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Chemehuevi Valley Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chemehuevi Valley Elementary has 26.1% math proficiency and 28.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Chemehuevi Valley Elementary a charter school?

No, Chemehuevi Valley Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Chemehuevi Valley Elementary a Title I school?

No, Chemehuevi Valley Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chemehuevi Valley Elementary?

93.9% of students at Chemehuevi Valley Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,382/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Needles). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
33
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
San Bernardino County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Needles Unified
District Enrollment
930
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,698
District Rank
#1 of 5

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

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