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, Merced City School District Community Day and Merced County Juvenile Court. 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 21% (versus the California public school average of 34%), 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
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Frank Sparkes Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7265 West Almond Ave.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6180
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6180
Gr: K-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
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
Gr: K-6 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
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
Gr: K-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
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
Gr: 9-12 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #55.
Yamato Colony Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
800 North Main St.
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5470
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5470
Gr: K-5 | 620 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #66.
Peggy Heller Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
201 Lake View Dr.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6517
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6517
Gr: K-8 | 707 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
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
Gr: K-6 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #88.
Westside Union Elementary School
(Math: 37% | 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
Gr: K-6 | 548 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
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
Gr: 7-12
Rank: #1010.
Luther Burbank Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
609 East Alexander Ave.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6674
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6674
Gr: K-6 | 727 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #1111.
Mcswain Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
922 Scott Rd.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 354-2700
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 354-2700
Gr: K-8 | 939 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1212.
Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3200 Parsons Ave.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6620
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6620
Gr: K-6 | 732 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1313.
Thomas Olaeta Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2266 High St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6148
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6148
Gr: K-6 | 387 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #1414.
Shaffer Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1434 California St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6145
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6145
Gr: K-6 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1515.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | 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
Gr: K-8 | 281 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1616.
Winfield Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6981 Chestnut Ln.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6891
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6891
Gr: K-5 | 454 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1717.
Ballico-cressey Community Charter
Charter School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
11818 Gregg St.
Ballico, CA 95303
(209) 394-9400
Ballico, CA 95303
(209) 394-9400
Gr: 1-8 | 307 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 698 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Atwater Senior Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1800 Juniper Ave.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6515
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6515
Gr: 6-8 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Romero Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
13500 West Luis Rd.
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-6177
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-6177
Gr: K-5 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #2121.
Mitchell Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1761 Grove Ave.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6112
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6112
Gr: K-6 | 550 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #2222.
Allan Peterson Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
848 East Donna Dr.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6700
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6700
Gr: K-6 | 682 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #2323.
Winton Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6300 North Cypress Ave.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6189
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6189
Gr: 6-8 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Plainsburg Union Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3708 South Plainsburg Rd.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 389-4707
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 389-4707
Gr: K-8 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
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
Gr: K-5 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2626.
Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
601 Mercy Ave.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6330
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6330
Gr: 7-8 | 630 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2727.
Harmony Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
16464 West August Ave.
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2010
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2010
Gr: K-6 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2828.
Charleston Elementary School
(Math: 33% | 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
Gr: K-6 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #2929.
Pacheco High School
(Math: 19% | 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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,786 student Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #3030.
Aileen Colburn Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2201 Heller St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6136
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6136
Gr: K-6 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #3131.
El Capitan High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
100 West Farmland
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 384-5500
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 384-5500
Gr: 9-12 | 1,811 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #3232.
Elim Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7677 North Lander Ave.
Hilmar, CA 95324
(209) 667-1082
Hilmar, CA 95324
(209) 667-1082
Gr: K-5 | 915 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #3333.
Snelling-merced Falls Elementary School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
16099 North Highway 59
Snelling, CA 95369
(209) 563-6414
Snelling, CA 95369
(209) 563-6414
Gr: K-8 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #3434.
Bellevue Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1020 East Bellevue Rd.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6140
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6140
Gr: K-6 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #3535.
Franklin Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2936 Franklin Rd.
Merced, CA 95348
(209) 385-6623
Merced, CA 95348
(209) 385-6623
Gr: K-3 | 568 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
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
Quick Facts
Atwater Junior Academy (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
1434 California St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6100
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6100
Gr: K-5
1682 Ctr.
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-8214
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-8214
Gr: 4-12 | 10 students Minority enrollment: 50%
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
Gr: K-8 | 204 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Gustine Community Day (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
701 Wallis Ave.
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-9582
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-9582
Gr: 7-12 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
2241 W. Turlock Rd.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 722-4581
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 722-4581
Gr: K-3 | 55 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
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
Gr: 9-12
1180 E St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6638
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6638
Gr: K-8 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 50:1
Shattuck Educational Park Elementary School (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
10082 Vincent Rd.
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2000
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2000
Gr: 9-12 | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Shattuck Independent Study Elementary School (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
10082 Vincent Rd.
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2000
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2000
Gr: 9-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
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
Gr: K-6 | 3 students Minority enrollment: 67%
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, Merced City School District Community Day and Merced County Juvenile Court.
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, John Muir Elementary School vs. Ada Givens Elementary School
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