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 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 11,061 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 11% (versus the California public school average of 34%), 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
10,347 Schools
# Students
11,061 Students
5,790,405 Students
# Teachers
531 Teachers
267,593 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
21:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Merced Union High School District, which is ranked #1438 of all 1,904 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%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
12%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
18%
29%
Graduation Rate
96%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.44
0.63
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
8%
12%
% Hispanic
73%
56%
% Black
4%
5%
% White
12%
20%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $18,255 in this school district is less than the state median of $20,100. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,796 is less than the state median of $18,511. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$202 MM
$116,387 MM
Spending
$175 MM
$107,188 MM
Revenue / Student
$18,255
$20,100
Spending / Student
$15,796
$18,511
Best Merced Union High School District Public Schools (2026)
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%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Merced Union High School District?
Merced Union High School District manages 9 public schools serving 11,061 students.
What is the rank of Merced Union High School District?
Merced Union High School District is ranked #1438 out of 1,904 school districts in California (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of California school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 5%) and 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 21:1, 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 $15,796 is less than the state median of $18,511. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
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