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C+
Schools in Big River · Needles Unified School District

Big River’s public schools score below 60% of California districts on tests and graduation

On the state math tests, 15% of Big River’s students scored proficient, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the public school district serving Big River, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
28%
▼ 19 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
15%
▼ 18 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 9–14 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$21.6K
▲ 2% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024
Students per teacher
18.6
CA 21.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
0
894 students on the public path
In brief

Big River’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 125 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Big River’s, its schools beat 55%, higher than their 40% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 28% of tested students were proficient in reading and 15% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California (the state reports Big River’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $21,634 per student, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then two middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Big River’s grade

C− Test scoresA− Graduation

C+: better than 40% of California school districts. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 40%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (125)Better than 55%
CB−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 454 test results and a graduating class of 96 could put Big River anywhere from C to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Big River’s students in the tested grades sat them (454 in math, 454 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Big River, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC−
9–12Needles Highin NeedlesD−

Big River’s public schools are run by Needles Unified School District, which also serves Needles. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Needles Unified School DistrictGrades K–12 · 7 schools · 921 students, down 4% since 2022–23 · 18.6 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$21,634CA $21,206 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading28%
State average 46.7% · 454 students tested
Math15%
State average 33.1% · 454 students tested

Big River vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Big River’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Big RiverC+Needles Unified

Every school in Big River

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

Also serving Big Riverin other towns
Vista Colorado Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Needles
319 students21:1Rate it →
Monument Peak
Elementary · Grades K–8
70 students17:1Rate it →
Chemehuevi Valley Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Havasu Lake
40 students19:1Rate it →
Needles Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Needles
C−
196 students17:1Rate it →
Needles High
High · Grades 9–12 · Needles
D−
269 students19:1Rate it →

Questions about Big River’s schools

Are Big River’s schools good?

On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Big River children attend score below 60% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 55%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Big River in?

Needles Unified School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 921 students in 7 schools (2024–25).

Where do Big River kids go to high school?

Needles High in Needles, with 269 students; its own test results earn a D−.

What is Big River’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Needles Unified School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Big River spend per student?

$21,634 in Needles Unified School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Big River families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Big River → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.