For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public high schools serving 8,080 students in Merced, CA.
The top ranked public high schools in Merced, CA are Merced County Juvenile Court, El Capitan High School and Merced High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Merced, CA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 11% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in Merced have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public high schools.
Merced, CA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 85%, which is less than the California average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Golden Valley 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).
Best Public High Schools in Merced, CA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: K-12
| 18 students
Rank: #22.
El Capitan High School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
100 West Farmland
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 384-5500
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 384-5500
Grades: 9-12
| 1,811 students
Rank: #33.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,951 students
Rank: #44.
Golden Valley High School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2121 East Childs Ave.
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1800
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1800
Grades: 9-12
| 1,955 students
Rank: #55.
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
Grades: K-12
| 84 students
Rank: #66.
Merced Scholars Charter
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1850 Wardrobe Ave. Bldg. H
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-5165
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-5165
Grades: K-12
| 297 students
Rank: #77.
Independence High (Alternative)
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1900 G St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 325-1600
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 325-1600
Grades: 9-12
| 92 students
Rank: #88.
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
Grades: 6-12
| 120 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
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
Grades: K-12
| 81 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 355 students
Rank: #1111.
Valley Los Banos Community
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
715 West H St.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 827-5600
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 827-5600
Grades: 6-12
| 195 students
Rank: #1212.
Merced County Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 3%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
632 West 13th St.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-6711
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-6711
Grades: K-12
| 895 students
Rank: n/an/a
Come Back Charter
Charter School
350 West Yosemite Ave
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 386-6025
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 386-6025
Grades: 9-12
| 120 students
Rank: n/an/a
Merced County Rop
Vocational School
632 West 13th St.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-6740
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-6740
Grades: 11-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Sequoia High School
Alternative School
1900 G St.
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1700
Merced, CA 95344
(209) 325-1700
Grades: 9-12
| 106 students
Merced, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1180 E St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6638
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6638
Grades: K-8
| 200 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Merced, CA?
The top ranked public high schools in Merced, CA include Merced County Juvenile Court, El Capitan High School and Merced High School.
How many public high schools are located in Merced?
15 public high schools are located in Merced.
What is the racial composition of students in Merced?
Merced public high schools minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public high schools average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Merced are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Merced include: El Capitan High School vs. Merced High School, Golden Valley High School vs. Merced High School, Merced High School vs. El Capitan High School
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
