Top Rankings
Merced Union High School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in California for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 11,120 students in Merced Union High School District. This district's average testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in California.
Public Schools in Merced Union High School District have an average math proficiency score of 13% (versus the California public school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
9 Schools
10,369 Schools
# Students
11,120 Students
5,826,838 Students
# Teachers
552 Teachers
268,012 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
20:1
District Rank
Merced Union High School District, which is ranked #1363 of all 1,925 school districts in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 94% has increased from 91% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#1366 out of 1941 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
13%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
18%
29%
Graduation Rate
94%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.45
0.63
# American Indian Students
60 Students
25,796 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
# Asian Students
902 Students
705,807 Students
% Asian Students
8%
12%
# Hispanic Students
8,103 Students
3,264,561 Students
% Hispanic Students
73%
56%
# Black Students
423 Students
286,112 Students
% Black Students
4%
5%
# White Students
1,348 Students
1,178,558 Students
% White Students
12%
20%
# Hawaiian Students
27 Students
23,731 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
238 Students
333,755 Students
% of Two or more races Students
2%
6%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
-
83
# Students in K Grade:
-
522,456
# Students in 1st Grade:
-
396,605
# Students in 2nd Grade:
-
414,466
# Students in 3rd Grade:
-
416,628
# Students in 4th Grade:
-
426,361
# Students in 5th Grade:
-
430,587
# Students in 6th Grade:
-
432,997
# Students in 7th Grade:
-
439,621
# Students in 8th Grade:
-
441,777
# Students in 9th Grade:
2,751
466,534
# Students in 10th Grade:
2,739
476,585
# Students in 11th Grade:
2,768
469,511
# Students in 12th Grade:
2,862
492,627
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $18,158 in this school district is less than the state median of $19,974. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,712 is less than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$202 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$175 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$18,158
$19,974
Spending / Student
$15,712
$18,396
Best Merced Union High School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,951 students
Rank: #33.
Buhach Colony High School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1800 Buhach Rd.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 325-1400
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 325-1400
Grades: 9-12
| 1,658 students
Rank: #44.
Livingston High School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1617 Main St.
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 398-3200
Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 398-3200
Grades: 9-12
| 1,141 students
Rank: #55.
Atwater High School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2201 Fruitland Ave.
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 325-1200
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 325-1200
Grades: 9-12
| 2,051 students
Rank: #66.
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: #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.
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: 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
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Merced Union High School District?
Merced Union High School District manages 9 public schools serving 11,120 students.
What is the rank of Merced Union High School District?
Merced Union High School District is ranked #1363 out of 1,925 school districts in California (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of California school districts for: 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 20:1, 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 $15,712 is less than the state median of $18,396. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
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