For the 2025-26 school year, there are 14 public middle schools serving 6,165 students in Merced, CA.
The top ranked public middle schools in Merced, CA are Merced County Juvenile Court, Mcswain Elementary School and Plainsburg Union Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Merced, 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 have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 84% 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, CA (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.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #8 - 98. - 9.
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: #8 - 98. - 9.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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, California Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
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
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%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Merced, CA?
The top ranked public middle schools in Merced, CA include Merced County Juvenile Court, Mcswain Elementary School and Plainsburg Union Elementary School.
How many public middle schools are located in Merced?
14 public middle schools are located in Merced.
What is the racial composition of students in Merced?
Merced public middle schools minority enrollment is 84% 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 are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Merced 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
Recent Articles
School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.
Best School Match 2025: Public vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.
Public School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.
