For the 2023-24 school year, there are 114 public schools serving 59,061 students in Merced County, CA (there are 16 private schools, serving 2,104 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 Independence High (Alternative), Irwin High (Continuation School) 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 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 (2023-24)
School (Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Independence High (Alternative)
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1900 G St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 325-1600
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 325-1600
Grades: 9-12
| 192 students
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Irwin High (Continuation School)
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
20384 Geer Ave.
Hilmar, CA 95324
(209) 667-0276
Hilmar, CA 95324
(209) 667-0276
Grades: 9-12
| 36 students
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Merced County Juvenile Court
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2840 W. Sandy Mush Rd.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 381-1414
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 381-1414
Grades: K-12
| 24 students
Rank: #44.
Snelling-merced Falls Elementary School
Math: 30-39% | Reading: 50-59%
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
16099 N. Highway 59
Snelling, CA 95369
(209) 563-6414
Snelling, CA 95369
(209) 563-6414
Grades: K-8
| 55 students
Rank: #55.
Hilmar High School
Math: 25-29% | Reading: 60-64%
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7807 N. Lander Ave.
Hilmar, CA 95324
(209) 667-5903
Hilmar, CA 95324
(209) 667-5903
Grades: 9-12
| 687 students
Rank: #66.
Mcswain Elementary School
Math: 34% | Reading: 54%
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
922 Scott Rd.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 354-2700
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 354-2700
Grades: K-8
| 832 students
Rank: #77.
El Capitan High School
Math: 23% | Reading: 51%
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
100 W. Farmland
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 384-5500
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 384-5500
Grades: 9-12
| 1,846 students
Rank: #88.
Yamato Colony Elementary School
Math: 39% | Reading: 45%
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
800 N. Main St.
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5470
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5470
Grades: K-5
| 620 students
Rank: #99.
Plainsburg Union Elementary School
Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3708 S. Plainsburg Rd.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 389-4707
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 389-4707
Grades: K-8
| 106 students
Rank: #1010.
Atwater High School
Math: 19% | Reading: 51%
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2201 Fruitland Ave.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 325-1200
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 325-1200
Grades: 9-12
| 2,012 students
Rank: #1111.
Frank Sparkes Elementary School
Math: 31% | Reading: 43%
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7265 W. Almond Ave.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6180
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6180
Grades: K-5
| 414 students
Rank: #1212.
El Nido Elementary School
Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
161 E. El Nido Rd.
El Nido, CA 95317
(209) 385-8420
El Nido, CA 95317
(209) 385-8420
Grades: K-8
| 153 students
Rank: #1313.
Dos Palos High School
Math: 10-14% | Reading: 50-54%
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1701 E. Blossom St.
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-0300
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-0300
Grades: 9-12
| 644 students
Rank: #1414.
Buhach Colony High School
Math: 22% | Reading: 45%
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1800 Buhach Rd.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 325-1400
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 325-1400
Grades: 9-12
| 1,827 students
Rank: #1515.
Washington Elementary School
Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4402 W. Oakdale Rd.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 358-5679
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 358-5679
Grades: K-8
| 237 students
Rank: #1616.
Merced High School
Math: 20% | Reading: 47%
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
205 W. Olive Ave.
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1000
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1000
Grades: 9-12
| 1,827 students
Rank: #1717.
Golden Valley High School
Math: 20% | Reading: 46%
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2121 E. Childs Ave.
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1800
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1800
Grades: 9-12
| 1,872 students
Rank: #1818.
Winton Middle School
Math: 21% | Reading: 43%
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
6300 N. Cypress Ave.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6189
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6189
Grades: 6-8
| 613 students
Rank: #1919.
Livingston High School
Math: 20% | Reading: 43%
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1617 Main St.
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 398-3200
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 398-3200
Grades: 9-12
| 1,206 students
Rank: #2020.
Ballico-cressey Community Charter
Charter School
Math: 21% | Reading: 40%
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
11818 Gregg St.
Ballico, CA 95303
(209) 394-9400
Ballico, CA 95303
(209) 394-9400
Grades: 1-8
| 316 students
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Delhi High School
Math: 10-14% | Reading: 45-49%
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
16881 W. Schendel Ave.
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2050
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2050
Grades: 9-12
| 779 students
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Merced Scholars Charter
Charter School
Math: 10-14% | Reading: 45-49%
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1850 Wardrobe Ave. Bldg. H
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-5165
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-5165
Grades: K-12
| 270 students
Rank: #2323.
Harmony Elementary School
Math: 22% | Reading: 29%
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
16464 W. August Ave.
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2010
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2010
Grades: K-6
| 531 students
Rank: #2424.
Delhi Middle School
Math: 20% | Reading: 30%
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
16881 W. Schendel Ave.
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2050
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2050
Grades: 7-8
| 378 students
Rank: #2525.
Weaver Middle School
Math: 15% | Reading: 36%
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3076 E. Childs Ave.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 723-2174
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 723-2174
Grades: 6-8
| 967 students
Rank: #2626.
Winfield Elementary School
Math: 16% | Reading: 31%
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
6981 Chestnut Ln.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6891
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6891
Grades: K-5
| 451 students
Rank: #2727.
Selma Herndon Elementary School
Math: 16% | Reading: 28%
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
714 Prusso St.
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5480
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5480
Grades: K-5
| 628 students
Rank: #2828.
Sybil N. Crookham Elementary School
Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
7160 W. Walnut Ave.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6182
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6182
Grades: K-5
| 396 students
Rank: #2929.
Livingston Middle School
Math: 13% | Reading: 29%
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
101 F St.
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5450
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5450
Grades: 6-8
| 796 students
Rank: #3030.
Valley Los Banos Community
Alternative School
Math: ≤20% | Reading: 11-19%
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
715 W. H St.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 827-5600
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 827-5600
Grades: 6-12
| 130 students
Rank: #3131.
Planada Elementary School
Math: 13% | Reading: 26%
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
9525 E. Broderick St.
Planada, CA 95365
(209) 382-0351
Planada, CA 95365
(209) 382-0351
Grades: K-5
| 574 students
Rank: #3232.
Campus Park Elementary School
Math: 12% | Reading: 25%
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1845 H St.
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5460
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5460
Grades: K-5
| 446 students
Rank: #3333.
Cesar E. Chavez Middle School
Math: 8% | Reading: 31%
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
161 S. Plainsburg Rd.
Planada, CA 95365
(209) 382-0768
Planada, CA 95365
(209) 382-0768
Grades: 6-8
| 268 students
Rank: #3434.
Bryant Middle School
Math: 12% | Reading: 21%
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
16695 N. Bryant Rd.
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-0240
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-0240
Grades: 6-8
| 523 students
Rank: #3535.
Schendel Elementary School
Math: 11% | Reading: 23%
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
16114 Schendel Ave.
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2000
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2000
Grades: K-6
| 403 students
Show 79 more public schools in Merced County, CA (out of 114 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 Independence High (Alternative), Irwin High (Continuation School) and Merced County Juvenile Court.
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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