Average
#5690 of 9,539 schools in CA
Vista Colorado Elementary
Elementary School · Needles Unified
1900 Erin Dr., Needles, CA 92363
Enrollment
327
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
327
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#5,690 of 9,539
In Needles
#4 of 4
public schools
In district
#5 of 5
Needles Unified
School environment
7.0 / 10
Very Good
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Vista Colorado Elementary
Elementary School in Needles · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Needles Middle
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Needles High
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Vista Colorado Elementary
Vista Colorado Elementary is a public elementary school in Needles, CA, part of Needles Unified. Vista Colorado Elementary serves approximately 327 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 21.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Vista Colorado Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #5,690 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Vista Colorado Elementary show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.9 · Average
- District avg 7.7
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Vista Colorado Elementary sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Vista Colorado Elementary runs 21.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
39% of students at Vista Colorado Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 30 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: 6.7/10.
How Vista Colorado Elementary Compares
See how Vista Colorado Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Young Scholars Academy (rated 7.7/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Bullhead City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Camp Mohave Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Fort Mohave), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Desert Star Academy (rated 7.4/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Fort Mohave), 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 | 6.3 |
| Needles High Needles | 0.2 mi | 7.3 |
| 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 | 5.7 |
| CRUHSD Academy Bullhead City | 4.7 mi | 3.3 |
| WAVE - River Valley High School Kingman | 4.7 mi | — |
| Mohave Valley Connections Academy Mohave Valley | 5.0 mi | 3.1 |
| Mohave Valley Junior High School Mohave Valley | 9.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Academy of Building Industries Fort Mohave | 10.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Desert Star Academy Fort Mohave | 10.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Topock Elementary School Topock | 9.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Fort Mohave Elementary School Fort Mohave | 11.0 mi | 3.1 |
| Camp Mohave Elementary School Fort Mohave | 13.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Young Scholars Academy Bullhead City | 13.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Fox Creek Jr High School Bullhead City | 16.5 mi | 4.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alta Heights Elementary Napa, CA | 5.9 |
| Alta Mesa Elementary Redding, CA | 5.9 |
| Anna A. Borba Fundamental Elementary Chino, CA | 5.9 |
| Antelope Elementary Red Bluff, CA | 5.9 |
| Aspire Inskeep Academy Charter Oakland, CA | 5.9 |
| Badillo Elementary Covina, CA | 5.9 |
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 39.4%
- Phone
- (760) 326-2167
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
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