Top 10 Best Merced County Public Schools (2024)

For the 2024 school year, there are 114 public schools serving 59,061 students in Merced County, CA (there are 16 private schools, serving 2,110 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Merced County, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Merced County, CA are Luther Burbank Elementary School, Independence High (Alternative) and Irwin High (Continuation School). Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Merced County, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 19% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 49% statewide average). Schools in Merced County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 87% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

Best Merced County Public Schools (2024)

School (Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Luther Burbank Elementary School
Math: 54% | Reading: 63%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
609 E. Alexander Ave.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6674
Grades: K-6
| 647 students
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Independence High (Alternative)
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1900 G St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 325-1600
Grades: 9-12
| 192 students
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Irwin High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
20384 Geer Ave.
Hilmar, CA 95324
(209) 667-0276
Grades: 9-12
| 36 students
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Merced County Juvenile Court
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2840 W. Sandy Mush Rd.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 381-1414
Grades: K-12
| 24 students
Rank: #55.
Elmer Wood Elementary School
Math: 49% | Reading: 58%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1271 W. Bellevue Rd.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6143
Grades: K-6
| 548 students
Rank: #66.
Allan Peterson Elementary School
Math: 46% | Reading: 61%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
848 E. Donna Dr.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6700
Grades: K-6
| 559 students
Rank: #77.
Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary School
Math: 44% | Reading: 59%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3200 Parsons Ave.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6620
Grades: K-6
| 675 students
Rank: #88.
Peggy Heller Elementary School
Math: 44% | Reading: 58%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
201 Lake View Dr.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6517
Grades: K-8
| 728 students
Rank: #99.
Westside Union Elementary School
Math: 49% | Reading: 54%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
659 K St.
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 827-9390
Grades: K-6
| 583 students
Rank: #10 - 1310. - 13.
Atwater Senior Academy
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1800 Juniper Ave.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6515
Grades: 6-8
| 4 students
Rank: #10 - 1310. - 13.
Merced City School District Community Day
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
601 Mercy Ave.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6647
Grades: K-6
| 12 students
Rank: #10 - 1310. - 13.
Pioneer High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
501 N. Ave.
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-6414
Grades: 9-12
| 12 students
Rank: #10 - 1310. - 13.
Westside Community Day Middle High School
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
22368 S. Sixth St.
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-0280
Grades: 7-12
| 2 students
Rank: #1414.
Charleston Elementary School
Math: 44% | Reading: 54%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
18463 W. Charleston Rd.
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 826-5270
Grades: K-6
| 353 students
Rank: #1515.
Thomas Olaeta Elementary School
Math: 40% | Reading: 57%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2266 High St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6148
Grades: K-6
| 519 students
Rank: #1616.
Volta Elementary School
Math: 43% | Reading: 50%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
24307 W. Ingomar Grade
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 826-2912
Grades: K-6
| 511 students
Rank: #1717.
Snelling-merced Falls Elementary School
Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
16099 N. Highway 59
Snelling, CA 95369
(209) 563-6414
Grades: K-8
| 55 students
Rank: #1818.
Hilmar High School
Math: 25-29% | Reading: 60-64%
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
7807 N. Lander Ave.
Hilmar, CA 95324
(209) 667-5903
Grades: 9-12
| 687 students
Rank: #1919.
Mcswain Elementary School
Math: 34% | Reading: 54%
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
922 Scott Rd.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 354-2700
Grades: K-8
| 832 students
Rank: #2020.
Pioneer Elementary School
Math: 37% | Reading: 47%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2950 Gerard Ave.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 725-7111
Grades: K-5
| 1,072 students
Rank: #2121.
Mitchell Elementary School
Math: 36% | Reading: 48%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1761 Grove Ave.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6112
Grades: K-6
| 543 students
Rank: #2222.
El Capitan High School
Math: 23% | Reading: 51%
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
100 W. Farmland
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 384-5500
Grades: 9-12
| 1,846 students
Rank: #2323.
Yamato Colony Elementary School
Math: 39% | Reading: 45%
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
800 N. Main St.
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5470
Grades: K-5
| 620 students
Rank: #2424.
Le Grand High School
Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
12961 E. Le Grand Rd.
Le Grand, CA 95333
(209) 389-9400
Grades: 9-12
| 505 students
Rank: #2525.
Farmdale Elementary School
Math: 36% | Reading: 42%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
100 Winder Ave.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 725-7170
Grades: K-5
| 945 students
Rank: #2626.
Shaffer Elementary School
Math: 34% | Reading: 44%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1434 Ca St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6145
Grades: K-6
| 503 students
Rank: #2727.
Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle School
Math: 29% | Reading: 48%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
601 Mercy Ave.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6330
Grades: 7-8
| 617 students
Rank: #2828.
Plainsburg Union Elementary School
Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3708 S. Plainsburg Rd.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 389-4707
Grades: K-8
| 106 students
Rank: #2929.
Ada Givens Elementary School
Math: 32% | Reading: 43%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2900 Green St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6610
Grades: K-6
| 614 students
Rank: #3030.
Atwater High School
Math: 19% | Reading: 51%
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2201 Fruitland Ave.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 325-1200
Grades: 9-12
| 2,012 students
Rank: #3131.
Mitchell Intermediate
Math: 30% | Reading: 46%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1753 Fifth St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6124
Grades: 7-8
| 730 students
Rank: #3232.
Gustine High School
Math: 20-24% | Reading: 50-54%
(2018-2019 School Year Data)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
501 N. Ave.
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-6414
Grades: 9-12
| 602 students
Rank: #3333.
Frank Sparkes Elementary School
Math: 31% | Reading: 43%
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
7265 W. Almond Ave.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6180
Grades: K-5
| 414 students
Rank: #3434.
El Nido Elementary School
Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
161 E. El Nido Rd.
El Nido, CA 95317
(209) 385-8420
Grades: K-8
| 153 students
Rank: #3535.
Dos Palos High School
Math: 10-14% | Reading: 50-54%
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1701 E. Blossom St.
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-0300
Grades: 9-12
| 644 students
Show 79 more public schools in Merced County, CA (out of 114 total schools)
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[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Merced County, CA

Merced County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
1434 California St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6100
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
22368 South Sixth St
South Dos Palos, CA 93665
(209) 392-0330
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
1682 Ctr.
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-8214
Grades: 4-12
| 10 students
12961 E. Le Grand Rd.
Le Grand, CA 95333
(855) 861-8224
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
1149 E. B St.
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 675-7699
Grades: K-8
| 204 students
701 Wallis Ave.
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-9582
Grades: 7-12
| 5 students
2241 W. Turlock Rd.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 722-4581
Grades: K-3
| 55 students
715 H St
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 827-5600
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
1180 E St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6638
Grades: K-8
| 200 students
10082 Vincent Rd.
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2000
Grades: 9-12
| 34 students
10082 Vincent Rd.
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2000
Grades: 9-12
| 18 students
632 West 13th St. Merced Count
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 394-1246
Grades: 9-12
| 34 students
22372 South Sixth St
South Dos Palos, CA 93665
(209) 392-0280
Grades: K-6
| 3 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Merced County, CA?
The top ranked public schools in Merced County, CA include Luther Burbank Elementary School, Independence High (Alternative) and Irwin High (Continuation School).
How many public schools are located in Merced County, CA?
114 public schools are located in Merced County, CA.
What percentage of students in Merced County, CA go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Merced County, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Merced County, CA?
Merced County, CA public schools minority enrollment is 87% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).

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