Average
#5690 of 9,539 schools in CA
Vista Colorado Elementary
Elementary School · Needles Unified · Needles, CA
A Needles Unified elementary school where students score 9 points below what's typical for similar communities.
1900 Erin Dr., Needles, CA 92363
- Math 21% vs CA 39% (2024)
- Reading 16% vs CA 45% (2024)
- 21.8:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Vista Colorado Elementary score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
2024 CAASPP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. CA average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 14 points since 2018, to 18% in 2024, across a 16-year record (2009–2024).
Show all 12 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 31% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 29% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
82.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Vista Colorado Elementary sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 34Car-Dependent
- Bike 32Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,382/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Needles), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$40,226
Median home value
$138,900
Median rent
$738/mo
College educated
8.9%
Homeownership
56.2%
Poverty rate
28.2%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 92363; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Needles Ag Christian SchoolPrivate · tuition | Not rated | 1–10 | 0.9 mi | 7 | Compare → |
| Needles Sda SchoolPrivate · tuition | Not rated | K–8 | 0.9 mi | 14 | Compare → |
| Mohave Valley Connections AcademyEnrollment path unverified | 3.1 | K–8 | 5.0 mi | 34 | Compare → |
| Chemehuevi Valley ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 9.5 | K–5 | Not available | 33 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Needles Unified
- Schools in district
- 7
- Rank in district
- #5 of 5
- District spending per student
- $22,698NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 19.0%Census SAIPE · 2024
Vista Colorado Elementary is listed in Needles Unified; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Vista Colorado Elementary
Vista Colorado Elementary is a public elementary school in Needles, CA, part of Needles Unified, serving approximately 327 students in grades Kindergarten-5th with a 21.8:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #5,690 of 9,539 schools in CA. State assessment records show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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 ranks #5,690 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Vista Colorado Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Vista Colorado Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Vista Colorado Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Vista Colorado Elementary has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 327
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- San Bernardino County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 39.4%
- Phone
- (760) 326-2167
- Area population (ZIP 92363)
- 5,392
- Area median age
- 49.6
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 CAASPP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 CAASPP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 92363; this does not measure the attendance area.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.