For the 2025 school year, there are 116 public schools serving 59,546 students in Merced County, CA (there are 16 private schools, serving 2,131 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 Frank Sparkes Elementary School, Peggy Heller Elementary School and Merced City School District Community Day. 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 20% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Merced County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Merced County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Frank Sparkes Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7265 West Almond Ave.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6180
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6180
Grades: K-5
| 436 students
Rank: #22.
Peggy Heller Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
201 Lake View Dr.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6517
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6517
Grades: K-8
| 707 students
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Merced City School District Community Day
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
601 Mercy Ave.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6647
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6647
Grades: K-6
| 31 students
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Merced County Juvenile Court
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2840 West Sandy Mush Rd.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-4528
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-4528
Grades: K-12
| 18 students
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Pioneer High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
501 North Ave.
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-6414
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-6414
Grades: 9-12
| 21 students
Rank: #66.
Yamato Colony Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
800 North Main St.
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5470
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5470
Grades: K-5
| 620 students
Rank: #77.
Elmer Wood Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1271 West Bellevue Rd.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6143
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6143
Grades: K-6
| 507 students
Rank: #88.
Westside Union Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
659 K St.
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 827-9390
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 827-9390
Grades: K-6
| 548 students
Rank: #99.
Westside Community Day Middle High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
22368 South Sixth St.
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-0280
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-0280
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
Rank: #1010.
Luther Burbank Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
609 East Alexander Ave.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6674
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6674
Grades: K-6
| 727 students
Rank: #1111.
Mcswain Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
922 Scott Rd.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 354-2700
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 354-2700
Grades: K-8
| 939 students
Rank: #1212.
Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3200 Parsons Ave.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6620
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6620
Grades: K-6
| 732 students
Rank: #1313.
Snelling-merced Falls Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
16099 North Highway 59
Snelling, CA 95369
(209) 563-6414
Snelling, CA 95369
(209) 563-6414
Grades: K-8
| 56 students
Rank: #1414.
Thomas Olaeta Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2266 High St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6148
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6148
Grades: K-6
| 387 students
Rank: #1515.
Shaffer Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1434 California St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6145
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6145
Grades: K-6
| 422 students
Rank: #1616.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4402 West Oakdale Rd.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 358-5679
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 358-5679
Grades: K-8
| 281 students
Rank: #1717.
Cressey Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
9921 Crocker St.
Ballico, CA 95303
(209) 394-9600
Ballico, CA 95303
(209) 394-9600
Grades: K
| 55 students
Rank: #1818.
Hilmar High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7807 North Lander Ave.
Hilmar, CA 95324
(209) 667-5903
Hilmar, CA 95324
(209) 667-5903
Grades: 9-12
| 698 students
Rank: #1919.
Ballico-cressey Community Charter
Charter School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
11818 Gregg St.
Ballico, CA 95303
(209) 394-9400
Ballico, CA 95303
(209) 394-9400
Grades: 1-8
| 307 students
Rank: #2020.
Winfield Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6981 Chestnut Ln.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6891
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6891
Grades: K-5
| 454 students
Rank: #2121.
Allan Peterson Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
848 East Donna Dr.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6700
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6700
Grades: K-6
| 682 students
Rank: #2222.
Planada Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
9525 East Broderick St.
Planada, CA 95365
(209) 382-0351
Planada, CA 95365
(209) 382-0351
Grades: K-5
| 585 students
Rank: #2323.
Mitchell Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1761 Grove Ave.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6112
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6112
Grades: K-6
| 550 students
Rank: #2424.
Elim Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7677 North Lander Ave.
Hilmar, CA 95324
(209) 667-1082
Hilmar, CA 95324
(209) 667-1082
Grades: K-5
| 915 students
Rank: #2525.
Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
601 Mercy Ave.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6330
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6330
Grades: 7-8
| 630 students
Rank: #2626.
Le Grand High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
12961 East Le Grand Rd.
Le Grand, CA 95333
(209) 389-9400
Le Grand, CA 95333
(209) 389-9400
Grades: 9-12
| 462 students
Rank: #2727.
El Capitan High School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
100 West Farmland
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 384-5500
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 384-5500
Grades: 9-12
| 1,811 students
Rank: #2828.
Bellevue Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1020 East Bellevue Rd.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6140
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6140
Grades: K-6
| 621 students
Rank: #2929.
Romero Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
13500 West Luis Rd.
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-6177
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-6177
Grades: K-5
| 222 students
Rank: #3030.
Plainsburg Union Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3708 South Plainsburg Rd.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 389-4707
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 389-4707
Grades: K-8
| 107 students
Rank: #3131.
Aileen Colburn Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2201 Heller St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6136
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6136
Grades: K-6
| 383 students
Rank: #3232.
Charleston Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
18463 West Charleston Rd.
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 826-5270
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 826-5270
Grades: K-6
| 371 students
Rank: #3333.
Winton Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
6300 North Cypress Ave.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6189
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6189
Grades: 6-8
| 606 students
Rank: #3434.
Pacheco High School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
200 North Ward Rd.
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 827-4506
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 827-4506
Grades: 9-12
| 1,786 students
Rank: #3535.
Selma Herndon Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
714 Prusso St.
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5480
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5480
Grades: K-5
| 624 students
Show 81 more public schools in Merced County, CA (out of 116 total schools)
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Merced County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Atwater Junior Academy (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
1434 California St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6100
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6100
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
22368 South Sixth St
South Dos Palos, CA 93665
(209) 392-0330
South Dos Palos, CA 93665
(209) 392-0330
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
1682 Ctr.
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-8214
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-8214
Grades: 4-12
| 10 students
12961 E. Le Grand Rd.
Le Grand, CA 95333
(855) 861-8224
Le Grand, CA 95333
(855) 861-8224
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Green Valley Charter (Closed 2018)
Charter School
1149 E. B St.
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 675-7699
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 675-7699
Grades: K-8
| 204 students
Gustine Community Day (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
701 Wallis Ave.
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-9582
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-9582
Grades: 7-12
| 5 students
2241 W. Turlock Rd.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 722-4581
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 722-4581
Grades: K-3
| 55 students
Los Banos Community Day (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
715 H St
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 827-5600
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 827-5600
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
1180 E St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6638
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6638
Grades: K-8
| 200 students
Shattuck Educational Park Elementary School (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
10082 Vincent Rd.
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2000
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2000
Grades: 9-12
| 34 students
Shattuck Independent Study Elementary School (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
10082 Vincent Rd.
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2000
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2000
Grades: 9-12
| 18 students
Valley Livingston Community Day School (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
632 West 13th St. Merced Count
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 394-1246
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 394-1246
Grades: 9-12
| 34 students
West Side Community Day (Closed 2012)
Alternative School
22372 South Sixth St
South Dos Palos, CA 93665
(209) 392-0280
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 Frank Sparkes Elementary School, Peggy Heller Elementary School and Merced City School District Community Day.
How many public schools are located in Merced County?
116 public schools are located in Merced County.
What percentage of students in Merced County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Merced County are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Merced County?
Merced County public schools minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Merced County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Merced County include: Buhach Colony High School vs. Atwater High School, Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle School vs. Herbert Hoover Middle School, Atwater High School vs. Buhach Colony High School
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