Below Average
#8700 of 9,533 schools in CA
Vista Colorado Elementary
Elementary School · Needles Unified
1900 Erin Dr., Needles, CA 92363
Enrollment
327
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
327
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Needles
#4 of 4
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,191 of 5,817
In district
#5 of 5
Needles Unified
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Vista Colorado Elementary
Vista Colorado Elementary in Needles, California, is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 327 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21.8:1, the school benefits from having 15 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse learning community. Located on Erin Drive in San Bernardino County, Vista Colorado Elementary is situated at the edge of an urban area, offering a unique blend of rural and city environments.
The academic performance data indicates that there is room for growth, with only 19% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, and 23% achieving similar success in math. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 places it at the 11th percentile among California schools, highlighting areas where additional support could be beneficial. Vista Colorado Elementary is a part of the Needles community, providing a supportive and nurturing environment for its students to grow and develop.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Vista Colorado Elementary is 21.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Vista Colorado Elementary — Students at Vista Colorado Elementary score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.9/10.
How Vista Colorado Elementary Compares
See how Vista Colorado Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 21.14% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 17.14% (2024).
Location
1900 Erin Dr., Needles, CA 92363
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Vista Colorado Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Camp Mohave Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Fort Mohave), which scores notably higher. Another option is Topock Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Topock), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mohave Valley Junior High School (rated 7.6/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Mohave Valley), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Needles, see our Needles schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Needles Middle Needles | 0.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Needles High Needles | 0.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Educational Training Center Needles | 0.2 mi | — |
| Needles SDA School Needles | 0.9 mi | — |
| Needles Community Day Needles | 0.8 mi | — |
| NEEDLES AG CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Needles | 0.9 mi | — |
| Pillar Academy of Business & Finance Phoenix | 1.7 mi | — |
| NotYourRegularChurch Needles | 5.0 mi | — |
| River Valley High School Mohave Valley | 4.7 mi | 3.1 |
| CRUHSD Academy Bullhead City | 4.7 mi | 5.0 |
| WAVE - River Valley High School Kingman | 4.7 mi | — |
| Mohave Valley Connections Academy Mohave Valley | 5.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Mohave Valley Junior High School Mohave Valley | 9.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Academy of Building Industries Fort Mohave | 10.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Desert Star Academy Fort Mohave | 10.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Topock Elementary School Topock | 9.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Fort Mohave Elementary School Fort Mohave | 11.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Camp Mohave Elementary School Fort Mohave | 13.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Young Scholars Academy Bullhead City | 13.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Fox Creek Jr High School Bullhead City | 16.5 mi | 6.1 |
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 Vista Colorado 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 |
|---|---|
| Alpaugh Elementary Alpaugh, CA | 4.2 |
| Aspire Capitol Heights Academy Oakland, CA | 4.2 |
| Aspire River Oaks Charter Oakland, CA | 4.2 |
| Barack Obama Charter Los Angeles, CA | 4.2 |
| CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - WEST CAMPUS El Cajon, CA | 4.2 |
| Cesar E. Chavez Elementary Richmond, CA | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vista Colorado Elementary
What grades does Vista Colorado Elementary serve?
Vista Colorado Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Vista Colorado Elementary?
Vista Colorado Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 327 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Vista Colorado Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Vista Colorado Elementary is 21.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Vista Colorado Elementary rank in CA?
Vista Colorado Elementary is ranked #8700 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Vista Colorado Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Vista Colorado Elementary has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Vista Colorado Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vista Colorado Elementary has 23.0% math proficiency and 19.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Vista Colorado Elementary a charter school?
No, Vista Colorado Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Vista Colorado Elementary a Title I school?
No, Vista Colorado Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vista Colorado Elementary?
82.6% of students at Vista Colorado 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,382/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Needles). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 327
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 82.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- San Bernardino County
- Phone
- (760) 326-2167
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Needles Unified- District Enrollment
- 930
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,698
- District Rank
- #5 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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