Top Rankings
Merced Union High School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 9 public high schools serving 11,061 students in Merced Union High School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in California.
Public High Schools in Merced Union High School District have an average math proficiency score of 11% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Public High School in Merced Union High School District have a Graduation Rate of 96%, which is more than the California average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Buhach Colony High School, with 98% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in California or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public high school average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
9 Schools
2,790 Schools
# Students
11,061 Students
2,122,151 Students
# Teachers
531 Teachers
101,015 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
21:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Merced Union High School District, which is ranked #1436 of all 1,903 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.
Overall District Rank
#1385 out of 1932 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
12%
34%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
47%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
18%
29%
Graduation Rate
96%
86.2%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)31.2%
27.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.44
0.63
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
1%
1%
Showing 2003–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Asian
8%
12%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
73%
56%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
4%
5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
12%
21%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
5%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $24,461 in this school district is less than the state median of $26,022. The school district revenue/student has grown by 28% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $21,290 is less than the state median of $22,604. The school district spending/student has grown by 20% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$271 MM
$150,628 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$236 MM
$130,845 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$24,461
$26,022
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$21,290
$22,604
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Merced Union High School District Public High Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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 | 1,793 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #22.
Merced High School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
205 West Olive Ave.
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1000
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%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1800 Buhach Rd.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 325-1400
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%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2201 Fruitland Ave.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 325-1200
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%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1617 Main St.
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 398-3200
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%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2121 East Childs Ave.
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1800
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%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1900 G St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 325-1600
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%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1900 G St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 325-1600
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
1900 G St.
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1700
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1700
Gr: 9-12 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
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