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Merced Union High School District

Item: Merced Union High School District
Rating: 3
Author: Public School Review

3430 A St.
Atwater, CA 95301-5100

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (209) 325-2000

www.muhsd.org

Top Rankings

Merced Union High School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:

Overview

This School District

This State (CA)

# Schools

9 Schools

10,334 Schools

# Students

11,061 Students

5,790,262 Students

# Teachers

531 Teachers

267,580 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

21:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Merced Union High School District	California
9	2,827	231
10	2,737	225
11	2,704	226
12	2,793	235

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District Rank

Merced Union High School District, which is ranked #1438 of all 1,904 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 96% has increased from 91% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (CA)

#1385 out of 1932 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Merced Union High School District
2023	#1385
2022	#1366
2021	#726
2019	#1312
2018	#838
2017	#601
2016	#503
2015	#485
2014	#349
2013	#411
2012	#541

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12%

34%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Merced Union High School District	California
2023	12%	34%
2022	13%	33%
2021	20%	34%
2019	17%	40%
2018	19%	39%
2017	21%	38%
2016	25%	37%
2015	22%	34%
2014	59%	63%
2013	61%	59%
2012	58%	59%

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41%

47%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Merced Union High School District	California
2022	41%	47%
2021	46%	49%
2019	47%	51%
2018	19%	50%
2017	50%	48%
2016	53%	48%
2015	52%	44%
2014	53%	58%
2013	58%	57%
2012	53%	58%
2011	59%	56%

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18%

29%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Merced Union High School District	California
2022	18%	29%
2021	22%	28%

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96%

87%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Merced Union High School District	California
2023	96%	87%
2022	94%	87%
2021	95%	84%
2020	95%	85%
2019	94%	84%
2018	91%	84%
2017	91%	83%
2016	91%	83%
2015	90%	89%
2014	91%	88%
2013	93%	87%

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(2022-23)

31.2%

27.7%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Merced Union High School District	California
2023	31.2%	27.7%
2022	44.8%	33%
2021	78%	15.4%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.44

0.63

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Merced Union High School District	California
2023	0.47	0.64
2022	0.47	0.63
2021	0.48	0.62
2020	0.50	0.63
2019	0.50	0.63
2018	0.50	0.64
2017	0.50	0.64
2016	0.51	0.64
2015	0.53	0.64
2014	0.55	0.65
2013	0.57	0.65
2012	0.58	0.65
2011	0.60	0.67
2010	0.61	0.67
2009	0.62	0.71
2008	0.64	0.65
2007	0.65	0.67
2006	0.66	0.66
2005	0.66	0.67
2004	0.66	0.67
2003	0.67	0.67
2002	0.67	0.67
2001	0.68	0.67
2000	0.68	0.67
1999	0.67	0.67
1998	0.68	0.67
1997	0.68	0.67
1996	0.68	0.67
1995	0.68	0.67
1994	0.68	0.67
1993	0.67	0.67
1992	0.67	0.67
1991	0.67	0.67

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% American Indian

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	Merced Union High School District	California
2023	1%	1%
2022	1%	1%
2020	1%	1%
2019	1%	1%
2011	1%	1%
2010	1%	1%
2007	1%	2%
2006	1%	1%
2004	1%	2%
2003	1%	2%
2001	1%	2%
2000	1%	1%
1998	1%	1%
1997	1%	1%
1996	1%	1%
1995	1%	1%
1994	1%	1%
1993	1%	1%
1992	1%	1%
1991	1%	1%
1990	1%	1%

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% Asian

12%

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Merced Union High School District	California
2023	8%	12%
2022	9%	12%
2021	9%	12%
2020	9%	12%
2019	9%	12%
2018	10%	11%
2017	10%	11%
2016	11%	11%
2015	12%	11%
2014	13%	11%
2013	13%	11%
2012	14%	11%
2011	14%	11%
2010	15%	11%
2009	16%	11%
2008	16%	12%
2007	17%	12%
2006	17%	12%
2005	18%	12%
2004	18%	12%
2003	17%	11%
2002	19%	11%
2001	18%	11%
2000	18%	11%
1999	17%	11%
1998	17%	11%
1997	18%	11%
1996	17%	11%
1995	15%	11%
1994	15%	11%
1993	15%	11%
1992	15%	11%
1991	14%	11%

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% Hispanic

73%

56%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Merced Union High School District	California
2023	72%	55%
2022	71%	56%
2021	71%	56%
2020	69%	55%
2019	69%	55%
2018	68%	54%
2017	68%	54%
2016	67%	54%
2015	65%	54%
2014	64%	53%
2013	62%	53%
2012	60%	52%
2011	59%	51%
2010	57%	50%
2009	54%	49%
2008	53%	50%
2007	50%	49%
2006	49%	48%
2005	48%	47%
2004	47%	46%
2003	46%	45%
2002	44%	44%
2001	43%	43%
2000	42%	42%
1999	42%	41%
1998	41%	40%
1997	40%	40%
1996	41%	39%
1995	40%	38%
1994	38%	37%
1993	38%	36%
1992	36%	35%
1991	35%	34%

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% Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Merced Union High School District	California
2023	4%	5%
2022	4%	5%
2021	4%	5%
2020	4%	5%
2019	4%	5%
2018	4%	6%
2017	4%	6%
2016	4%	6%
2015	3%	6%
2014	4%	6%
2013	4%	6%
2012	4%	6%
2011	4%	7%
2010	5%	7%
2009	5%	7%
2008	5%	8%
2007	6%	8%
2006	6%	8%
2005	5%	8%
2004	5%	8%
2003	5%	8%
2002	5%	8%
2001	5%	8%
2000	5%	9%
1999	5%	9%
1998	5%	9%
1997	5%	9%
1996	5%	9%
1995	6%	9%
1994	7%	9%
1993	6%	9%
1992	6%	9%
1991	6%	9%

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% White

12%

20%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Merced Union High School District	California
2023	13%	21%
2022	14%	21%
2021	15%	22%
2020	16%	23%
2019	16%	23%
2018	17%	24%
2017	17%	24%
2016	18%	24%
2015	19%	24%
2014	18%	25%
2013	19%	25%
2012	20%	26%
2011	20%	27%
2010	22%	27%
2009	24%	28%
2008	26%	29%
2007	26%	29%
2006	27%	31%
2005	29%	31%
2004	29%	32%
2003	31%	34%
2002	32%	35%
2001	33%	36%
2000	34%	37%
1999	36%	38%
1998	36%	39%
1997	36%	39%
1996	36%	40%
1995	38%	41%
1994	39%	42%
1993	40%	43%
1992	42%	44%
1991	44%	45%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Merced Union High School District	California
2023	2%	6%
2022	1%	5%
2021	1%	5%
2020	1%	4%
2019	1%	4%
2018	1%	4%
2017	1%	4%
2015	1%	3%
2014	1%	3%
2013	2%	3%
2012	2%	3%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $18,255 in this school district is less than the state median of $20,100. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $15,796 is less than the state median of $18,512. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.

This School District

This State (CA)

Total Revenue

$202 MM

$116,387 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Merced Union High School District	California
2023	$202 MM	$8 MM
2022	$188 MM	$7 MM
2021	$202 MM	$8 MM
2020	$188 MM	$7 MM
2019	$176 MM	$7 MM
2018	$160 MM	$29 MM
2017	$154 MM	$26 MM
2016	$143 MM	$24 MM
2015	$94 MM	$17 MM
2014	$107 MM	$21 MM
2012	$103 MM	$19 MM
2011	$146 MM	$19 MM
2010	$94 MM	$17 MM
2009	$106 MM	$19 MM
2008	$106 MM	$19 MM
2007	$104 MM	$19 MM
2006	$95 MM	$17 MM
2005	$88 MM	$16 MM
2004	$78 MM	$16 MM
2003	$88 MM	$16 MM
2002	$74 MM	$15 MM
2001	$70 MM	$15 MM
2000	$70 MM	$13 MM
1999	$56 MM	$12 MM
1998	$56 MM	$11 MM
1997	$52 MM	$10 MM
1996	$48 MM	$9 MM
1995	$44 MM	$8 MM

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Spending

$175 MM

$107,188 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Merced Union High School District	California
2023	$175 MM	$7 MM
2022	$161 MM	$7 MM
2021	$175 MM	$7 MM
2020	$161 MM	$7 MM
2019	$170 MM	$7 MM
2018	$151 MM	$29 MM
2017	$162 MM	$24 MM
2016	$134 MM	$23 MM
2015	$108 MM	$18 MM
2014	$110 MM	$21 MM
2012	$133 MM	$19 MM
2011	$124 MM	$19 MM
2010	$108 MM	$18 MM
2009	$108 MM	$18 MM
2008	$104 MM	$19 MM
2007	$96 MM	$18 MM
2006	$93 MM	$17 MM
2005	$84 MM	$16 MM
2004	$86 MM	$17 MM
2003	$82 MM	$15 MM
2002	$76 MM	$16 MM
2001	$87 MM	$14 MM
2000	$65 MM	$13 MM
1999	$54 MM	$11 MM
1998	$51 MM	$11 MM
1997	$45 MM	$10 MM
1996	$46 MM	$8 MM
1995	$47 MM	$8 MM

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Revenue / Student

$18,255

$20,100

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Merced Union High School District	California
2023	$17,986	$15,607
2022	$17,486	$14,213
2021	$18,394	$15,669
2020	$17,486	$14,213
2019	$16,740	$14,063
2018	$15,205	$16,033
2017	$14,891	$16,692
2016	$14,036	$15,604
2015	$9,385	$10,238
2014	$10,708	$11,786
2012	$9,989	$11,929
2011	$13,993	$11,681
2010	$8,872	$10,238
2009	$9,998	$11,099
2008	$9,945	$11,762
2007	$9,838	$11,879
2006	$9,111	$10,859
2005	$8,687	$10,445
2004	$8,037	$10,566
2003	$9,151	$10,456
2002	$7,963	$9,803
2001	$7,641	$10,568
2000	$7,621	$8,943
1999	$6,158	$8,203
1998	$6,038	$7,395
1997	$5,811	$6,922
1995	$5,300	$5,953
1992	$4,737	$5,430

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Spending / Student

$15,796

$18,512

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Merced Union High School District	California
2023	$15,564	$13,914
2022	$14,969	$13,602
2021	$15,917	$13,970
2020	$14,969	$13,602
2019	$16,184	$13,522
2018	$14,286	$16,124
2017	$15,592	$15,588
2016	$13,109	$14,779
2015	$10,798	$10,739
2014	$11,042	$11,804
2012	$12,962	$12,155
2011	$11,846	$11,509
2010	$10,207	$10,739
2009	$10,206	$10,975
2008	$9,763	$11,678
2007	$9,067	$11,317
2006	$8,925	$10,926
2005	$8,272	$10,789
2004	$8,897	$11,073
2003	$8,538	$10,210
2002	$8,200	$10,600
2001	$9,564	$10,007
2000	$7,083	$9,131
1999	$5,861	$7,911
1998	$5,557	$7,592
1997	$5,084	$6,759
1995	$5,595	$6,033
1992	$5,343	$5,588

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Best Merced Union High School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

El Capitan High School

(Math: 15% | Reading: 56%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

100 West Farmland
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 384-5500

Gr: 9-12 | 1,793 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 86%

Rank: #22.

Merced High School

(Math: 14% | Reading: 43%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

205 West Olive Ave.
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1000

Gr: 9-12 | 1,943 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 86%

Rank: #33.

Buhach Colony High School

(Math: 9% | Reading: 44%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1800 Buhach Rd.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 325-1400

Gr: 9-12 | 1,704 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 85%

Rank: #44.

Atwater High School

(Math: 11% | Reading: 40%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

2201 Fruitland Ave.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 325-1200

Gr: 9-12 | 2,029 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 88%

Rank: #55.

Livingston High School

(Math: 8% | Reading: 42%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1617 Main St.
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 398-3200

Gr: 9-12 | 1,169 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 97%

Rank: #66.

Golden Valley High School

(Math: 11% | Reading: 35%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

2121 East Childs Ave.
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1800

Gr: 9-12 | 1,917 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 91%

Rank: #77.

Independence High (Alternative)

Alternative School

(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-34%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1900 G St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 325-1600

Gr: 9-12 | 87 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 85%

Rank: #88.

Yosemite High (Continuation School)

Alternative School

(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1900 G St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 325-1600

Gr: 9-12 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 88%

Rank: n/an/a

Sequoia High School

Alternative School

Add to Compare

1900 G St.
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1700

Gr: 9-12 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 87%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Merced Union High School District?

Merced Union High School District manages 9 public schools serving 11,061 students.

What is the rank of Merced Union High School District?

Merced Union High School District is ranked #1438 out of 1,904 school districts in California (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of California school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 5%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Merced Union High School District?

73% of Merced Union High School District students are Hispanic, 12% of students are White, 8% of students are Asian, 4% of students are Black, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are American Indian.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Merced Union High School District?

Merced Union High School District has a student/teacher ratio of 21:1, which is lower than the California state average of 22:1.

What is Merced Union High School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $15,796 is less than the state median of $18,512. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 9 schools
Grades: 09-12
Enrollment: 11,061 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
Minority Enrollment: 88%
: 96% (Top 5% in CA)
: Bottom 50%
: 12% (Btm 50%)
: 41% (Btm 50%)
: 18% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education