For the 2025-26 school year, there are 34 public middle schools serving 14,429 students in Merced County, CA.
The top ranked public middle schools in Merced County, CA are Merced County Juvenile Court, Peggy Heller Elementary School and Westside Community Day Middle High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Merced County, CA public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 19% (versus the California public middle school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Merced County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle school average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Merced County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
Mitchell Intermediate
(Math: 21% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1753 Fifth St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6124
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6124
Gr: 7-8 | 757 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1313.
El Nido Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
161 East El Nido Rd.
El Nido, CA 95317
(209) 385-8420
El Nido, CA 95317
(209) 385-8420
Gr: K-8 | 152 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1414.
Bellevue Senior Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1020 East Bellevue Rd.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6140
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6140
Gr: 7-8 | 197 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1515.
Weaver Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3076 East Childs Ave.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 723-2174
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 723-2174
Gr: 6-8 | 1,000 student Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1616.
Hilmar Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7528 North Scholar Way
Hilmar, CA 95324
(209) 632-8847
Hilmar, CA 95324
(209) 632-8847
Gr: 6-8 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1717.
Herbert Hoover Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
800 East 26th St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6631
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6631
Gr: 7-8 | 607 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1818.
Cesar E. Chavez Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
161 South Plainsburg Rd.
Planada, CA 95365
(209) 382-0768
Planada, CA 95365
(209) 382-0768
Gr: 6-8 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1919.
Rudolph Rivera Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
945 Buena Vista Dr.
Merced, CA 95348
(209) 385-6680
Merced, CA 95348
(209) 385-6680
Gr: 7-8 | 607 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #2020.
Le Grand Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
13071 East Le Grand Rd.
Le Grand, CA 95333
(209) 389-4515
Le Grand, CA 95333
(209) 389-4515
Gr: K-8 | 330 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #2121.
Creekside Junior High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1401 Prairie Springs Dr.
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 826-1005
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 826-1005
Gr: 7-8 | 823 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #2222.
Delhi Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
16881 West Schendel Ave.
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2050
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2050
Gr: 7-8 | 382 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2323.
Los Banos Junior High School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1750 San Luis St.
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 826-0867
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 826-0867
Gr: 7-8 | 926 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Merced Scholars Charter
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1850 Wardrobe Ave. Bldg. H
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-5165
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-5165
Gr: K-12 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Tenaya Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
760 West Eighth St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6687
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6687
Gr: 7-8 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2626.
Livingston Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
101 F St.
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5450
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5450
Gr: 6-8 | 842 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2727.
Floyd A. Schelby
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
6738 North Sultana Dr.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 394-1800
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 394-1800
Gr: K-12 | 84 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #2828.
Gustine Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
28075 Sullivan Rd.
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-5030
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-5030
Gr: 6-8 | 380 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #2929.
Bryant Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
16695 North Bryant Rd.
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-0240
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-0240
Gr: 6-8 | 485 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #3030.
Crossroads Alternative Education Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
929 West Pacheco Blvd.
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 826-4013
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 826-4013
Gr: K-12 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #3131.
Valley Atwater Community
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1800 Matthew Ave.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-4550
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-4550
Gr: 6-12 | 120 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #3232.
Valley Los Banos Community
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
715 West H St.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 827-5600
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 827-5600
Gr: 6-12 | 195 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #3333.
Valley Merced Community
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1850 Wardrobe Ave.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-4500
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-4500
Gr: K-12 | 81 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #3434.
Merced County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 3%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
632 West 13th St.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-6711
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-6711
Gr: K-12 | 895 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
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 middle schools in Merced County, CA?
The top ranked public middle schools in Merced County, CA include Merced County Juvenile Court, Peggy Heller Elementary School and Westside Community Day Middle High School.
How many public middle schools are located in Merced County?
34 public middle schools are located in Merced County.
What is the racial composition of students in Merced County?
Merced County public middle schools minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public middle schools average of 78% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Merced County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Merced County include: Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle School vs. Herbert Hoover Middle School, Herbert Hoover Middle School vs. Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle School, Tenaya Middle School vs. Herbert Hoover Middle School
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