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Needles High

Summary:

Needles High is a public high school located in Needles, California, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 293 students. The school is part of the Needles Unified School District, which is ranked 1323 out of 1568 districts in California and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Academically, Needles High faces significant challenges, with standardized test scores well below the state average. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 44.05% of 11th-grade students were proficient or better in English Language Arts/Literacy, compared to the state average of 55.73%. In Mathematics, the proficiency rate was just 15.48% for 11th-grade students, compared to the state average of 27.9%. However, the school has maintained an impressive 100% four-year graduation rate for the past four school years, and its dropout rate has been 0% for the past three years, indicating that the school is effectively keeping students engaged and on track to graduate.

Compared to the nearby Needles Community Day and Educational Training Center, both small alternative high schools within the same district, Needles High appears to be providing a relatively stronger educational experience for its students. While the school faces challenges, such as a high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds and a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, its consistent high graduation rates suggest that it is making a positive impact on the community it serves.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 1600 Washington St.
       Needles, CA  92363-2842

(760) 326-2191

District: Needles Unified

SchoolDigger Rank:
1194th of 2,323 California High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,587 Help


Feeder schools for Needles High:

Elementary:    Vista Colorado Elementary
Middle:    Needles Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  20.0 Help
Number of students:  293

Racial breakdown:

White:
44.4%
Hispanic:
33.1%
American Indian:
15.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  71.7% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Needles High ranks worse than 51.4% of high schools in California. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 37.88. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Needles High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Needles High has the largest high school student body size in the Needles Unified School District. Student population at Needles High is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (44.4%), Hispanic (33.1%), American Indian (15.4%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 71.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Needles Unified School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Needles High is 20. 1 high schools in the Needles Unified School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Needles High employs 14.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Needles High is $9,587, which is the highest among 3 high schools in the Needles Unified School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Needles High:

SchoolDigger ranks Needles High 1194th of 2323 California public high schools. (See Needles High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
Native American students:
White students:


Needles Unified:

SchoolDigger ranks Needles Unified 1323rd of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Needles High

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Needles High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 39.07 724th 1653 56.2%
2005 36.78 884th 1901 53.5%
2006 46.64 698th 1968 64.5%
2007 41.48 838th 2063 59.4%
2008 52.03 629th 2117 70.3%
2009 47.01 822nd 2238 63.3%
2010 41.28 983rd 2281 56.9%
2011 37.86 1105th 2367 53.3%
2012 27.05 1391st 2354 40.9%
2013 35.18 1178th 2426 51.4%
2015 27.04 1392nd 1994 30.2%
2016 28.82 1378th 2039 32.4%
2017 31.52 1356th 2021 32.9%
2018 34.86 1311th 2017 35.0%
2019 34.63 1342nd 2133 37.1%
2021 13.78 1097th 1290 15.0%
2022 26.60 1500th 2123 29.3%
2023 35.33 1272nd 2348 45.8%
2024 37.88 1194th 2323 48.6%
See the entire list of California High School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Needles High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 16.95 1438th 1862 22.8%
2019 34.48 1267th 1937 34.6%
2021 7.38 1090th 1126 3.2%
2022 27.43 1406th 1943 27.6%
2023 28.69 1450th 2247 35.5%
2024 42.06 1078th 2235 51.8%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Needles High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.94 1295th 1760 26.4%
2019 35.10 1168th 1833 36.3%
2021 9.68 970th 1054 8.0%
2022 24.97 1391st 1858 25.1%
2023 42.95 1004th 2118 52.6%
2024 37.92 1133rd 2098 46.0%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Needles High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 45.93 471st 1161 59.4%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Needles High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.55 1134th 1834 38.2%
2019 29.70 1286th 1880 31.6%
2021 18.26 920th 1122 18.0%
2022 26.01 1381st 1916 27.9%
2023 25.56 1457th 2207 34.0%
2024 35.22 1183rd 2172 45.5%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Needles High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.54 995th 1742 42.9%
2019 46.91 955th 1814 47.4%
2022 33.17 1240th 1861 33.4%
2023 13.86 1758th 2142 17.9%
2024 47.20 900th 2125 57.6%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for Native American students at Needles High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 48.38 18th 35 48.6%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for Native American Students!

Rank History for White students at Needles High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 13.86 1007th 1173 14.2%
2019 17.33 1026th 1222 16.0%
2022 13.86 1054th 1204 12.5%
2023 34.67 845th 1434 41.1%
2024 30.76 892nd 1406 36.6%
See the entire list of Best California High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Needles High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: California Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2)
0%

0%

0%

100%

0%

  


No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Needles High

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 200 5 6 55 40 n/a n/a 0 306
1989 343 9 11 94 67 n/a n/a 0 524
1990 340 9 6 113 44 n/a n/a 0 512
1991 204 4 5 62 29 n/a n/a 0 304
1992 228 7 2 61 23 n/a n/a 0 321
1993 197 6 5 66 16 n/a n/a 0 290
1994 201 7 5 62 16 n/a n/a 0 291
1995 236 12 9 73 35 n/a n/a 0 365
1996 236 12 9 73 35 n/a n/a 0 365
1997 237 12 8 68 39 n/a n/a 0 364
1998 227 11 4 59 28 n/a n/a 0 329
1999 205 12 5 54 22 n/a n/a 0 298
2000 185 9 2 58 25 n/a n/a 0 279
2001 181 11 3 64 33 n/a n/a 0 292
2002 163 15 5 62 28 n/a n/a 0 273
2003 163 15 5 62 28 n/a n/a 0 273
2004 167 15 8 49 30 n/a n/a 1 270
2005 176 10 12 55 24 n/a n/a 0 277
2006 184 14 4 38 33 n/a n/a 4 277
2007 171 11 4 43 42 n/a n/a 5 276
2008 159 11 2 44 32 n/a n/a 0 248
2009 173 11 2 46 34 0 0 0 266
2010 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2011 161 6 2 63 45 0 2 0 279
2012 143 8 3 65 45 1 5 0 270
2013 122 4 4 69 35 1 6 0 241
2014 120 6 5 52 35 0 1 0 219
2015 124 5 4 49 34 0 1 0 217
2016 117 6 1 51 43 1 1 0 220
2017 118 4 2 54 34 2 6 0 220
2018 128 5 2 63 30 2 8 0 238
2019 138 7 3 69 43 1 9 0 270
2020 139 7 3 79 43 0 6 0 277
2021 140 12 2 72 37 0 9 0 272
2022 151 10 1 76 46 0 10 0 294
2023 130 5 1 97 45 0 15 0 293

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Needles High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 306 18.5 16.5 n/a
1989 524 19.1 27.4 n/a
1990 512 22.2 23.0 n/a
1991 304 15.4 19.7 n/a
1992 321 15.6 20.5 26.8
1993 290 19.6 14.8 23.1
1994 291 17.4 16.7 22.7
1995 365 15.7 23.2 28.2
1996 365 15.7 23.2 28.2
1997 364 16.6 21.9 34.1
1998 329 16.0 20.6 40.1
1999 298 14.4 20.7 43.3
2000 279 12.7 22.0 28.7
2001 292 11.4 25.6 42.8
2002 273 12.2 22.4 54.9
2003 273 12.2 22.4 54.9
2004 270 11.9 22.7 58
2005 277 10.6 26.1 57.8
2006 277 10.5 26.4 50.9
2007 276 9.9 27.9 63.8
2008 248 12.3 20.2 51.6
2009 266 14.8 15.6 52.3
2010 0 13.6 0.0 n/a
2011 279 n/a n/a 50.5
2012 270 13.7 19.6 n/a
2013 241 10.4 22.9 55.6
2014 219 9.0 24.3 48.4
2015 217 12.0 18.0 60.4
2016 220 14.0 15.7 58.6
2017 220 13.4 16.3 61.8
2018 238 11.3 21.0 64.3
2019 270 14.0 19.2 70.7
2020 277 n/a n/a 69.7
2021 272 13.4 20.1 69.9
2022 294 14.3 20.5 67
2023 293 14.6 20.0 71.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Needles High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 306 18.5 16.5 n/a
1989 524 19.1 27.4 n/a
1990 512 22.2 23.0 n/a
1991 304 15.4 19.7 n/a
1992 321 15.6 20.5 26.8
1993 290 19.6 14.8 23.1
1994 291 17.4 16.7 22.7
1995 365 15.7 23.2 28.2
1996 365 15.7 23.2 28.2
1997 364 16.6 21.9 34.1
1998 329 16.0 20.6 40.1
1999 298 14.4 20.7 43.3
2000 279 12.7 22.0 28.7
2001 292 11.4 25.6 42.8
2002 273 12.2 22.4 54.9
2003 273 12.2 22.4 54.9
2004 270 11.9 22.7 58
2005 277 10.6 26.1 57.8
2006 277 10.5 26.4 50.9
2007 276 9.9 27.9 63.8
2008 248 12.3 20.2 51.6
2009 266 14.8 15.6 52.3
2010 0 13.6 0.0 n/a
2011 279 n/a n/a 50.5
2012 270 13.7 19.6 n/a
2013 241 10.4 22.9 55.6
2014 219 9.0 24.3 48.4
2015 217 12.0 18.0 60.4
2016 220 14.0 15.7 58.6
2017 220 13.4 16.3 61.8
2018 238 11.3 21.0 64.3
2019 270 14.0 19.2 70.7
2020 277 n/a n/a 69.7
2021 272 13.4 20.1 69.9
2022 294 14.3 20.5 67
2023 293 14.6 20.0 71.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Needles High

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $9,587

Data source: California Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Needles High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 1342nd of 2133 High schoolsRanks 1272nd of 2348 High schools
 8.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Needles High)39.640.8
 1.2%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Needles Unified)35.735.9
 0.2%
   11th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)57.355.4
 1.9%
11th Grade Mathematics (Needles High)14.624
 9.4%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Needles Unified)12.518.8
 6.3%
   11th Grade Mathematics (California)32.227.4
 4.9%
12th Grade Science (Needles High)11.714.7
 3%
   12th Grade Science (Needles Unified)11.114.5
 3.4%
   12th Grade Science (California)25.626.8
 1.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students270293
 8.5%
African American75
 28.6%
American Indian4345
 4.7%
Asian31
 66.7%
Hispanic6997
 40.6%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White138130
 5.8%
Two or More Races915
 66.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients70.7%71.7%
 0.9%

Schools Near Needles High








Frequently Asked Questions about Needles High

In the 2022-23 school year, 293 students attended Needles High.

Needles High ranks 1194th of 2323 California high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Needles High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Vista Colorado Elementary
Middle : Needles Middle

Students at Needles High are 44% White, 33% Hispanic, 15% American Indian, 5% Two or more races, 2% African American.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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