For the 2024-25 school year, there are 34 public middle schools serving 14,126 students in Merced County, CA.
The top ranked public middle schools in Merced County, CA are Peggy Heller Elementary School, Merced County Juvenile Court 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 18% (versus the California public middle school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Merced County have an average ranking of 1/10, 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 77% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Merced County (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Peggy Heller Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
201 Lake View Dr.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6517
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6517
Grades: K-8
| 707 students
Rank: #22.
Merced County Juvenile Court
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2840 W. Sandy Mush Rd.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 381-4528
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 381-4528
Grades: K-12
| 23 students
Rank: #33.
Westside Community Day Middle High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
22368 S. Sixth St.
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-0280
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-0280
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
Rank: #44.
Mcswain Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
922 Scott Rd.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 354-2700
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 354-2700
Grades: K-8
| 883 students
Rank: #55.
Snelling-merced Falls Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
16099 N. Highway 59
Snelling, CA 95369
(209) 563-6414
Snelling, CA 95369
(209) 563-6414
Grades: K-8
| 53 students
Rank: #66.
Washington Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4402 W. Oakdale Rd.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 358-5679
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 358-5679
Grades: K-8
| 275 students
Rank: #77.
Ballico-cressey Community Charter
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
11818 Gregg St.
Ballico, CA 95303
(209) 394-9400
Ballico, CA 95303
(209) 394-9400
Grades: 1-8
| 321 students
Rank: #88.
Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
601 Mercy Ave.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6330
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6330
Grades: 7-8
| 616 students
Rank: #99.
Plainsburg Union Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3708 S. Plainsburg Rd.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 389-4707
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 389-4707
Grades: K-8
| 108 students
Rank: #1010.
Winton Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
6300 N. Cypress Ave.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6189
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 357-6189
Grades: 6-8
| 624 students
Rank: #1111.
Mitchell Intermediate
Magnet School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1753 Fifth St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6124
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6124
Grades: 7-8
| 739 students
Rank: #1212.
El Nido Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
161 E. El Nido Rd.
El Nido, CA 95317
(209) 385-8420
El Nido, CA 95317
(209) 385-8420
Grades: K-8
| 148 students
Rank: #1313.
Weaver Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3076 E. Childs Ave.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 723-2174
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 723-2174
Grades: 6-8
| 1,003 students
Rank: #1414.
Hilmar Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7528 N. Scholar Way
Hilmar, CA 95324
(209) 632-8847
Hilmar, CA 95324
(209) 632-8847
Grades: 6-8
| 504 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Bellevue Senior Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1020 E. Bellevue Rd.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6140
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6140
Grades: 7-8
| 195 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Herbert Hoover Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
800 E. 26th St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6631
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6631
Grades: 7-8
| 614 students
Rank: #1717.
Rudolph Rivera Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
945 Buena Vista Dr.
Merced, CA 95348
(209) 385-6680
Merced, CA 95348
(209) 385-6680
Grades: 7-8
| 579 students
Rank: #1818.
Cesar E. Chavez Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
161 S. Plainsburg Rd.
Planada, CA 95365
(209) 382-0768
Planada, CA 95365
(209) 382-0768
Grades: 6-8
| 286 students
Rank: #1919.
Atwater Senior Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1800 Juniper Ave.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6515
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6515
Grades: 6-8
| 8 students
Rank: #2020.
Creekside Junior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 14% | 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
Grades: 7-8
| 817 students
Rank: #2121.
Los Banos Junior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 15% | 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
Grades: 7-8
| 862 students
Rank: #2222.
Delhi Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
16881 W. Schendel Ave.
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2050
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2050
Grades: 7-8
| 387 students
Rank: #2323.
Le Grand Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
13071 E. Le Grand Rd.
Le Grand, CA 95333
(209) 389-4515
Le Grand, CA 95333
(209) 389-4515
Grades: K-8
| 337 students
Rank: #2424.
Livingston Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
101 F St.
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5450
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-5450
Grades: 6-8
| 833 students
Rank: #2525.
Tenaya Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
760 W. Eighth St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6687
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6687
Grades: 7-8
| 563 students
Rank: #2626.
Floyd A. Schelby
Special Education School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
6738 N. Sultana Dr.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 394-1800
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 394-1800
Grades: K-12
| 73 students
Rank: #2727.
Merced Scholars Charter
Magnet School
Charter School
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
| 281 students
Rank: #2828.
Bryant Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
16695 N. Bryant Rd.
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-0240
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-0240
Grades: 6-8
| 514 students
Rank: #2929.
Gustine Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
28075 Sullivan Rd.
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-5030
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-5030
Grades: 6-8
| 405 students
Rank: #3030.
Crossroads Alternative Education Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
929 W. Pacheco Blvd.
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 826-4013
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 826-4013
Grades: K-12
| 141 students
Rank: #3131.
Valley Atwater Community
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
| 9 students
Rank: #3232.
Valley Merced Community
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
| 232 students
Rank: #3333.
Valley Los Banos Community
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
715 W. H St.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 827-5600
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 827-5600
Grades: 6-12
| 138 students
Rank: #3434.
Merced County Special Education
Special Education School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 3%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
632 W. 13th St.
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-6711
Merced, CA 95341
(209) 381-6711
Grades: K-12
| 848 students
Merced County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Atwater Junior Academy (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
1434 California St.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6100
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6100
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
22368 South Sixth St
South Dos Palos, CA 93665
(209) 392-0330
South Dos Palos, CA 93665
(209) 392-0330
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
1682 Ctr.
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-8214
Dos Palos, CA 93620
(209) 392-8214
Grades: 4-12
| 10 students
12961 E. Le Grand Rd.
Le Grand, CA 95333
(855) 861-8224
Le Grand, CA 95333
(855) 861-8224
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
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
Grades: K-8
| 204 students
Gustine Community Day (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
701 Wallis Ave.
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-9582
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 854-9582
Grades: 7-12
| 5 students
2241 W. Turlock Rd.
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 722-4581
Winton, CA 95388
(209) 722-4581
Grades: K-3
| 55 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
1180 E St.
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6638
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-6638
Grades: K-8
| 200 students
Shattuck Educational Park Elementary School (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
10082 Vincent Rd.
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2000
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2000
Grades: 9-12
| 34 students
Shattuck Independent Study Elementary School (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
10082 Vincent Rd.
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2000
Delhi, CA 95315
(209) 656-2000
Grades: 9-12
| 18 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
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
Grades: K-6
| 3 students
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 Peggy Heller Elementary School, Merced County Juvenile Court 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 77% (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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