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 high schools serving 11,061 students in Merced Union High School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in California.
Public High Schools in Merced Union High School District have an average math proficiency score of 11% (versus the California public high school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Public High School in Merced Union High School District have a Graduation Rate of 96%, which is more than the California average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Buhach Colony 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).
Overview
This School District
This State (CA)
# Schools
9 Schools
2,801 Schools
# Students
11,061 Students
2,122,788 Students
# Teachers
531 Teachers
101,054 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%
21%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
5%
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 High 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%
Recent Articles
How Public Schools Train Staff Each Year
Learn how public schools train staff each year through professional development, safety training, technology instruction, and ongoing educational support.
What Substitute Teachers Experience in Public Schools
Discover what substitute teachers experience in public schools, including daily responsibilities, challenges, rewards, and their role in student success.
How Teachers Collaborate Across Departments in Public Schools
Learn how teachers collaborate across departments to improve student outcomes, strengthen instruction, and prepare students for real-world success.
